Trident releases Cyber9388, a flat panel multimedia graphics accelerator with world's first merged DRAM logic technology from Samsung; Company provides superior embedded solution with fastest single-cycle graphics engine and TV-out.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 1997--Trident Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRID) today announced the availability of evaluation samples of the Cyber9388 multimedia flat panel graphics accelerator with embedded 16Mb of on-chip synchronous DRAM and 280K gates of digital logic for PCI notebook systems.

The sample marks the company's first successful integration of Samsung's advanced ASIC with merged DRAM process technology and Trident's first integration of this technology with their superior graphics and multimedia performance.

The Cyber9388 is Trident's response to the top tier notebook OEM's request for a device that can combine low power consumption, small footprint and a powerful graphic engine. The integrated SDRAM is based on Samsung's .35 micron Merged Memory Logic technology, and is closely integrated on the same die with a new high-performance graphic chip in a four-metal layer process.

In addition to the on-chip high-performance single-cycle graphics engine the Cyber9388 also incorporates Trident's proprietary ClearTV for flicker-free TV-out, the TrueVideo processor for high-quality video capture/playback, and dual display support for presenting two independent videos on various display devices including TFT/DSTN, CRT, and TV.

"The mobile market is becoming an increasingly important part of our revenues, up to 41% at the last quarter. The Cyber9388 is the first product from our commitment to support OEM customers with advanced embedded technologies," said Frank Lin, Trident's president and CEO. "We are very excited to be able to leapfrog our competitors by providing vastly superior graphics and multimedia performance with higher memory bandwidth on a smaller die to our OEM customers."

Trident has been a leader in providing breakthrough features in graphics accelerators, first with TV-out on the Cyber9385 in 1995, then with 3D on the Cyber9397 in the beginning of 1997, and now to provide on-chip SDRAM support coupled directly to an advanced graphics engine.

Meeting the PCI 66MHz standard, the Cyber9388 is part of Trident's ongoing desire to innovate every aspect of the graphics and multimedia evolution by creating new devices that incorporate 3D, AGP and other developing architectures.

"Samsung's world leading ASIC based MML technology is an enabler of Trident's leading-edge, high-performance graphics application," said Noel Park, vice president and general manager of Samsung Semiconductor. "This new graphics chip, with more than 19 million transistors, is a major and complex undertaking, and the results are encouraging and gratifying for both companies."

The Cyber9388 is available now in sample quantities with volume production scheduled for Q3 97 in a 256-pin BGA package, and priced at $45 per OEM quantities.

Background

Trident Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRID), with headquarters in Mountain View, California, designs, develops and markets graphics controllers and multimedia integrated circuits for PCs. Trident's products are sold through a network of OEMs, original design manufacturers and system integrators worldwide.

Samsung Semiconductors is a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, a $21 billion division of the $84 billion Korean-based Samsung Group. Samsung's semiconductor division is the sixth largest semiconductor manufacturer and the leading producer of memory products in the world. Samsung Semiconductor's North American headquarters are located in San Jose, California.

Samsung was the first company to sample a family of 16-megabit DRAMs in 1990, and the first to introduce the 64-Megabit DRAM. Samsung delivered the first fully synchronous DRAM in 1993, and the first fully functional 256-Megabit DRAM in 1994. -0-

Note to Editors: Trident and TrueVideo are registered trademarks of Trident Microsystems, Inc. Cyber9388 and ClearTV are trademarks of Trident Microsystems, Inc. Other trademarks used herein are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Trident Microsystems, Inc.

Peter Brown, 415/943-3761

[e-mail]

tridentmicro.com