STMicroelectronics Unveils Breakthrough 3D Graphics and Video Accelerator.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

Computex

TAIPEI, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2000

ST's new KYRO(TM) utilizes innovative PowerVR(TM) Tile Based Rendering to avoid the memory bottleneck and deliver unprecedented image quality

combined with stunning graphics performance

Today at Computex, STMicroelectronics announced its revolutionary KYRO 3D Graphics and Video Accelerator. The first full-featured PC Graphics and Video Accelerator based on Imagination Technologies' PowerVR Series 3 technology, KYRO combines breathtaking 3D graphics image quality and stunning 3D graphics performance, with crisp 2D Graphics, studio quality Video Playback, and DVD decode support. KYRO is the result of the partnership agreement between ST and Imagination Technologies that was forged one year ago, and combines Imagination's acclaimed Tile Based Rendering technology with ST's world class digital video know-how, process technology expertise and manufacturing capability.

"Customers are clamoring for a graphics solution with excellent image quality and a complete modern feature set at a reasonable cost," said Tim Chambers, VP and General Manager of ST's Graphics Business Unit. "The KYRO technology intrinsically provides these benefits, due to its high performance and low-cost frame-store technology. Developers can finally create rich environments at high frames, as KYRO's Tile Based Rendering approach takes care of increased scene complexity."

"PowerVR technology has already achieved great success in both game consoles and arcade systems. ST's KYRO, featuring PowerVR series 3 technology will further extend the availability of this innovative technology to a broad range of PC consumers," said Hossein Yassaie, CEO of Imagination Technologies Plc. "These consumers will get the benefit of performance leading graphics combined with enhanced image quality at an affordable cost through the inherent benefits of the PowerVR architecture."

Kathleen Maher, analyst and Editor-in-Chief of the Peddie Report, sees an opportunity for an independent provider of graphics controllers. "With KYRO," says Maher, "STMicroelectronics and Imagination Technologies have sliced the pie in a different way. Our research of the graphics and multimedia markets reveals a pressing need for a graphics solution that can sidestep the challenge of bandwidth and memory limitations and can provide graphics performance at attractive price points for mainstream computing."

"Intel has been working with STMicroelectronics to advance visual computing on the PC platform," said S. Kea Grilley, Director of Technology and Initiative Marketing at Intel. "Continued evolution in visual computing requires ever faster CPU performance and speedier graphics accelerators. Today the combination of fast Pentium(R) III processors and innovative graphic accelerators, such as KYRO, brings the benefits of superior image quality and leadership performance to the consumer."

KYRO's Tile Based Rendering makes extremely efficient use of the available memory bandwidth; it can be shown that the PowerVR Tile Based Rendering technology requires less than one third of the memory bandwidth required by conventional 3D accelerators. This frees content developers to focus on realistic environments rather than having to resort to programming tricks to reduce scene complexity and image quality, which are required to improve frame rate with traditional 3D accelerators.

"Frame rate has always been important to PC gamers," said Mike Feibus, a principal analyst at Mercury Research Inc., in Scottsdale, Ariz. "But increasingly, they are demanding higher levels of realism, as well. Going forward, successful 3D graphics hardware will provide advanced quality features as well as higher frame rates."

"With the innovative new KYRO, AMD Athlon processor users will now have access to a system capable of delivering unprecedented image quality and performance," said Ned Finkle, director of Infrastructure Technology Development Group at AMD. "We look forward to continue working closely with STMicroelectronics to enable superior graphics products for AMD platforms."

KYRO also features Full Scene Anti-Aliasing, superior color precision via 32-bit Internal True Color(TM), support for 8-layer multitexturing, and Direct3D compliant Environment Bump Mapping.

Full Scene Anti-Aliasing

When correctly implemented, Full Scene Anti-Aliasing delivers a significant improvement in visual quality. KYRO makes use of its internal Tile Buffer to implement both 2X and 4X high quality Full Scene Anti-Aliasing.

Superior Color Precision - 32-bit Internal True Color(TM)

All of KYRO's pixel operations are rendered on chip at full 32-bit Internal True Color resolution, maintaining the best possible image quality irrespective of the number of image layers or frame buffer bit depth. When operating in 16bpp frame buffer, KYRO avoids the color banding or grainy effects seen on traditional hardware, and the consumer receives best game performance without sacrificing visual quality. Internal True Color(TM) also saves memory bandwidth whatever the color depth, thus enabling KYRO to provide class-leading performance in 32bpp modes.

Realistic Environments using 8-Layer Multitexturing

KYRO fully supports 8-layer multitexturing, significantly improving on the dual or triple texturing capabilities of traditional accelerators. With its support of multiple texture layers, KYRO allows more detailed backgrounds, realistically lit models, and more plausible environments to be created. When compared with traditional accelerators, KYRO's 8-layer multitexturing results in significant performance and quality improvements.

Direct3D Environment Bump Mapping

KYRO also supports efficient Direct3D Environment Bump Mapping, which adds significant realism to 3D rendered scenes by allowing the developer to create the illusion of depth on a surface. KYRO's Environment Bump Mapping uses per pixel operations to represent detail on much larger polygons. As KYRO's Environment Bump Mapping is fully Direct3D compliant, developers are able to use it to create a wide range of effects including making metal, plastic, rubber, or other objects look real.

Other KYRO features include a fast 128-bit 2D engine, hardware video playback and DVD decode assistance, AGP 2.1 Bus Master Interface supporting AGP 1x, 2x and 4x with SBA for host based textures, a 128-bit SGRAM/SDRAM interface with up to 64 Mbyte support, and integrated Palette DAC. A video input port allows connection to a wide range of video source and capture peripherals, while a digital video output port provides glueless connection to flat panel displays and TV encoders.

KYRO has full support for both Microsoft DirectX 7 and OpenGL1.1 3D graphics APIs. Systems that feature KYRO will be able to meet the requirements of PC 99A and support DVI compliant Digital Flat Panel displays. KYRO will ship with fully optimized driver support for Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000. Direct3D HAL and OpenGL ICD are fully supported out of the box. A range of utilities for OEM customization is provided, and a secure web site for technical support has been established.

Production quality silicon is being shipped to OEMs and AIB customers now. Board level products are expected to be available from AIB customers within Q2 2000, with a KYRO 32 Mbyte board expected to be available at retail below $200.

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.