Xicor Introduces Industry's First Non-volatile, Digitally Programmable Capacitor X90100; Eliminates the Need for an On-board Microcontroller To Develop Programmable Tuning Circuits.Business Editors/High-Tech Writers MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2003 Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq:XICO), a leading supplier of high performance mixed-signal integrated circuits, today introduced the X90100 Digitally Programmable Capacitor. The device is designed to replace variable capacitors used to tune the frequency response of electronic systems up to 400MHz (MegaHertZ) One million cycles per second. It is used to measure the transmission speed of electronic devices, including channels, buses and the computer's internal clock. A one-megahertz clock (1 MHz) means some number of bits (16, 32, 64, etc. . The X90100 can be set to 1 of 32 discrete capacitor steps ranging from 7.5 pF to 14.5 pF in 0.20 pF increments. Once the desired capacitor value is selected via an UP/DOWN interface it is stored in the on-chip EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) A rewritable memory chip that holds its content without power. Although EEPROMs spawned flash memory, EEPROMs are byte addressable at the write level, whereas flash chips must erase a block of bytes before rewriting. . The chip also has an integrated Power-On-Recall circuit that will restore the preset capacitor position from nonvolatile memory See non-volatile memory. during power up thus eliminating the need of microcontroller initialization in·i·tial·ize tr.v. in·i·tial·ized, in·i·tial·iz·ing, in·i·tial·iz·es Computer Science 1. To set (a starting value of a variable). 2. To prepare (a computer or a printer) for use; boot. 3. . This reduces the cost of components and manufacturing. The X90100 can be used in a variety of resonant tuning circuits where the programmable capacitive element provides a means for post-manufacturing trimming. Using the X90100 along with common capacitors allow oscillator oscillator Mechanical or electronic device that produces a back-and-forth periodic motion. A pendulum is a simple mechanical oscillator that swings with a constant amplitude, requiring the addition of energy at each swing only to compensate for the energy lost because of air and filter designs to be achieved with Q-values greater than 50. This product is targeted at the Communications, Industrial and Consumer markets in applications such as Sensors, RF transceivers and other various tuning applications from DC to 400MHz. "Xicor's focus is to reduce the cost of manufacturing post-trim by providing a standalone solution that does not require a resident microcontroller on board to select a desired capacitor value," stated Tony Ochoa, marketing manager of Linear Products. "These devices allow for a 'set-and-forget' approach by offering a non-volatile, in-circuit programmable See in-system programmable. capacitive element that only requires a three-pin interface. The excellent linearity and power-up recall of the capacitor setting are powerful features allowing exact and permanent circuit adjustment." Production samples are available in 8-lead MSOP MSOP Mini Small Outline Package MSOP Mini Series of Poker MSOP Minnesota Sex Offender Program MSOP Management Stock Option Plan MSOP Memphis School of Preaching (Memphis, TN) MSOP Minimum Sum-Of-Products packaging with 1K unit prices starting at $1.05 USD USD In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the U.S. Dollar. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. . About Xicor Xicor designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits used in communications, computing, networking and industrial applications. Xicor's Mixed-Signal Products include data conversion products, power management integrated circuits, application specific standard products and interface devices. Xicor's programmable analog mixed-signal components regulate, control, convert and manage various voltages and currents through the use of a serial interface and internal EEPROM. Xicor product, corporate and financial information is readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com Safe Harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. Statement Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks may include the impact of competing products and pricing, timely design acceptance by our customers, timely ability to ramp new products into volume production, industry wide shifts in supply and demand for semiconductor products, and other risks detailed from time to time in Xicor's SEC filings. Note to Editors: "Xicor" is a registered trademark and "XDCP" is a trademark belonging to Xicor Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. |
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