STMicroelectronics Introduces First Single-Chip Solution for DVD-ROM Drives.Business/Technology Editors GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 2001 Designed for 16X DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. and 48X CD-ROM drives, new system-on-chip solution integrates all functions except memories and actuator drivers STMicroelectronics (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) A microscope that can image down to the atomic level. An STM uses a piezoelectric tube with a tiny sharp tip at the end that is moved within nanometers of the object being sampled. ) today announced the first system-on-chip solution for DVD-ROM DVD-ROM: see digital versatile disc. A read-only DVD disc used to permanently store data files. DVD-ROM discs are widely used to distribute large software applications that exceed the capacity of a CD-ROM disc. drives - an advanced integrated circuit that includes all of the functions of a high speed DVD-ROM/CD-ROM drive except for external memories and actuator drivers. Called "Verdi" (part number STA1000), the new system-on-chip contains an ST10 16-bit microprocessor core, a proprietary digital signal processor A digital signal processor (DSP) is a specialized microprocessor designed specifically for digital signal processing, generally in real-time computing. Characteristics of typical Digital Signal Processors
A ball grid array (BGA) is a type of surface-mount packaging used for integrated circuits. (BGA) package and needs no heatsink. Thanks to the very high level of integration, the STA1000 makes it possible to build high performance DVD-ROM subsystems that are very compact and cost effective. In addition, it supports very high speed read operation, up to 16X DVD-ROM and 48X CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). . "With this leading edge system-on-chip solution ST is entering the DVD-ROM business just in time to benefit from the explosive growth of this segment," commented Aldo Romano, Corporate Vice-President and General Manager of ST's Telecommunications and Peripherals/Automotive Groups. "This is a market that in two to three years time is expected to be equal in size to the hard disk drive market, a traditional strength of the Company, and ST is well positioned to extend its leadership from magnetic to optical drives." Leveraging the Company's advanced embedded technology, ST plans a second generation DVD-ROM system-on-chip, which will embed both Flash and RAM memory, further reducing the component count for DVD-ROM drives. ST also has a future version in design that adds DVD recording capability. The microprocessor core used in the Verdi chip is the ST10, a 16-bit microcontroller core widely used in hard disk drives and automotive applications. ST is a leading supplier of ST10 based system-on-chip solutions, many of which include embedded Flash memory capable of reliable operation even in the automotive grade temperature range. Recently ST introduced an enhanced ST10 core called Super10, which adds DSP instructions and doubles performance of existing ST10 code by executing instructions in a single clock cycle. "Verdi" is the second system-on-chip solution for optical drives to be developed by ST, following closely behind a similar solution for the new DataPlay micro-optical data storage engine. The DataPlay disk is a new small format optical disk targeting markets such as digital music players, handheld games, digital cameras and e-books, where its very small size is ideal. ST is the partner chosen by DataPlay Inc to develop and manufacture the highly integrated SoC solution for its drives. ST is a leading supplier of semiconductor components for the data storage industry and is the only company to offer all of the technologies required in this market, including system-on-chip controller solutions, head preamplifiers, actuator drivers, read channels, memories and MEMS (MicroElectroMechanical Systems) Tiny mechanical devices that are built onto semiconductor chips and are measured in micrometers. In the research labs since the 1980s, MEMS devices began to materialize as commercial products in the mid-1990s. devices. ST can also deliver complete solutions for hard disk drives, including all of the chips and firmware. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange Milan Stock Exchange The largest regional stock exchange in Italy, facilitating more than 90% of the country's trading volume. . 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 2000, the Company's net revenues were $7,813.2 million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. |
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