Atmel and IXYS Release New Light Ballast Demo Kits

Nantes, France (ots/PRNewswire) -

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the release of dimmable and non-dimmable demo kits
for light ballast applications. These new kits are the result of a
cooperation between Atmel and IXYS Corporation to develop design
tools and speed up the implementation of ballast solutions for the
lighting market. They feature Atmel's AVR(R) and 8051
microcontrollers and IXYS's broad range of mixed signal and power
management products.

The ATAVRFBKIT is a dimmable light ballast demo kit while the
AT89RFD-10 is a non-dimmable light ballast demo kit. Both kits
incorporate a broad range of design features including universal line
input, low harmonic distortion, low stand-by power and various
protection features. The dimmable ballast incorporates DALI or one
touch "Swiss" control for controlling the dimming level.

The dimmable ballast demo kit incorporates Atmel's AT90PWM2 AVR
microcontroller, which supports both dimmable fluorescent and HID
ballast applications. The 8-Kbyte Flash AT90PWM2 device integrates
the DALI protocol, allowing the networking of ballasts to a
centralized system for greater flexibility and control of lighting
levels, while reducing maintenance and energy costs. The non-dimmable
light ballast demo kit uses the AT83EB5114 8051-based microcontroller
developed in partnership with a major lighting manufacturer for
non-dimming fluorescent ballasts. The AT89EB5114 and AT90PWM2 are
highly-integrated devices featuring 12- or 16-bit enhanced PWM
generators, amplifiers and a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter.

Both demo kits use IXYS's new rugged PolarHV(TM) power MOSFETs
with ultra-low Rds,on. In addition, they incorporate some of IXYS
mixed-signal power management products including the IXD611
half-bridge driver, with superior noise performance and increased
operating voltage capability, as well as the IXI858/IXI859 voltage
regulator/gate driver. The IXI858/IXI859, in combination with the
IXYS IXTP02N50D depletion-mode power MOSFET, are used to implement
the line interface and gate drive requirements for the Power Factor
Correction section of the light ballast.

"Our new microcontroller family will enable great strides for
energy-efficient lighting systems, enabling ballast systems with
features such as tube power recognition, lamp aging detection and
centralized control and communication," said Jean Desuche, Lighting
and Motor Control Product Marketing Manager for Atmel.

"Our PolarHV power MOSFETs and mixed-signal IC products enhance
the value of the ballast reference designs by maximizing system
energy and cost efficiency, while providing superior noise
performance and ruggedness," said Don Humbert, Director of Marketing
for IXYS Power.

Both kits are available at the price of US$199.

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, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You
Are(R), AVR(R) 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 ATAVRFBKIT Dimmable Light Ballast Demo Kit product
information may be retrieved at
www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3925.

Atmel's AT89RFD-10 Non-Dimmable Light Ballast Demo product
information may be retrieved at
www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?tool_id=3926.

Press Contacts:
Philippe Faure, Marketing Communicatioons Manager - Microcontroller
Phone: +33-2-40-18-18-87, Email: philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
Phone: +33-1-30-60-70-68, Fax: +49-71-31-67-24-23
Email: veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

NANTES, France, May 31 /PRNewswire/ --

About IXYS

IXYS is a global leader in Power Semiconductors, Gate Drive ICs
and RF Power Devices. With over 20 years experience, IXYS products
are designed to meet the demands of the power market for
best-in-class Performance, Quality and Reliability.

Information on IXYS' products can be retrieved at: www.ixys.com.

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

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

Contact:
Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager -
Microcontrollers, +33-2-40-18-18-87, or philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com,
or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate
Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax,
+49-71-31-67-24-23, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com, all of Atmel
Corporation