STMicroelectronics Announces Fully Functional CMOS Read Channel for Increased Level of System-on-chip Integration in Hard Disk Drives.

Business Editors, Hi-Tech Writers

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2000

New chip complements ST's production-ready complete solution for

disk drives; major customers already signed up

STMicroelectronics announced today the availability of a fully functional CMOS read/write channel integrated circuit that supports data rates over 500 megabits per second (Mb/s). Called L6361, this chip is the first full CMOS read/write channel IC developed by ST and is fabricated in a cost effective 0.25 micron process technology to combine high performance, low power consumption and a very competitive price.

The ST L6361 integrates a Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML) read channel path based on an advanced 16 state Viterbi detector and coding scheme to enhance signal-to-noise (SNR) performance. For hard disk drive manufacturers, this translates into the possibility of storing more data on a single platter and reducing manufacturing costs by increasing the production yields. Other advanced features integrated into the L6361 to further improve the performance are an ST proprietary Interpolating Timing Recovery scheme and an ST proprietary 8th-order low pass filter (LPF). In laboratory tests, the L6361 has achieved a top speed of 650 Mb/s and further evaluation is ongoing.

"The L6361 paves the way for a smooth transition to the next level of super-integration and performance enhancements, which are benefits of ST's research into advanced technologies for Data Storage," said Aldo Romano, STMicroelectronics Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Telecommunications and Peripherals/Automotive Groups. "Achieving such a significant result at the first silicon not only underlines ST's commitment to providing a total hardware and firmware system solution for the hard disk drive market but also demonstrates the formidable resources we have dedicated to making ST the reference supplier in this market."

"By offering a fully functional high performance CMOS Read Channel we enable a higher level of system on chip (SoC) integration for our customers. Super-integration is the key in the high volume hard disk drive market to reduce the system cost," commented Franco Berenga, STMicroelectronics Vice President and General Manager of the Data Storage Division. "In addition, it is possible to increase the level of miniaturization for the mobile market, including the emerging microdrive, and to improve the SoC performance by optimal partitioning among the different blocks integrated into a single device."

ST has a proven track record in producing PRML Read Channel ICs and the L6361 represents the fourth product generation.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 1999, the Company's net revenues were $5.056 billion and net earnings were $547 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.