Atmel Introduces Mixed Mode Analog Companion IC for Low-cost Music Players

Rousset, France (ots/PRNewswire) -

- AT73C209 Regulates Power Supplies from 1-cell Alkaline Battery
and Generates High-quality Audio Signals

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the release
of its AT73C209 Analog Companion power supply and audio interface IC
designed for low-cost music players. The AT73C209 supplies the
required voltages and currents to all the sections of these portable
devices taking energy from a single alkaline battery, and also
provides a high-quality audio interface.

The AT73C209 integrates power management and high-quality audio
circuitry on a single chip. It has 2 linear regulators (LDO) and one
very low input voltage and high-efficiency Step Up switching
regulator (DC-DC) working down to 0.9V, thus particularly suited for
1 cell Alkaline/NiMh batteries. On the audio side, the AT73C209
offers an audio-quality 16-bit Stereo Audio DAC with headset driver
and microphone preamplifier to interface with the recording stage of
a MCU.

"The AT73C209 introduction confirms Atmel's strategy to provide
analog companions for generic handheld applications," commented
Michele Casetta, Marketing Manager for Atmel's Power Management and
Analog Companions (PMAAC) Product Line. "The AT73C209 is one of the
few ICs on the market that integrates 3-channel power supplies and a
high-quality audio interface for music players. The AT73C209 is the
first device on the market that can be supplied with a 1-cell
Alkaline/NiMh battery or USB port, with automatic switch, and manage
all the rest of the system."

"The AT73C209 can minimize the BOM by reducing the component
count to only 3 ICs: (MCU + Memory + AT73C209). In the past the
system consisted of at least 8 components due to the number of
discrete analog devices," concluded Michele Casetta.

Availability and Pricing

Atmel offers the AT73C209 in a 7 x 7 mm, 32-pin QFN package in
order to satisfy portable device manufacturers' minimum space
requirements and low cost. The AT73C209 is priced at US$1.30 in
quantities of 100K units. It is available now mounted on a reference
design board or as engineering samples.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof and others, are registered trademarks, or
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's AT73C209 product information may be retrieved at
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/devices.asp?family_id=639

Press Contacts:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset
Tel: +33-(0)-4-42-53-61-50, Email: peter.bishop@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Peter Bishop, Communications Manager, Atmel Rousset,
+33-(0)-4-42-53-61-50, peter.bishop@atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos,
Public Relations of Atmel Corporation, +1-408-487-2963,
hperlegos@atmel.com