Atmel Introduces the AT697F Radiation-Hardened SPARC V8 Processor for Space Missions

San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today a new
radiation-hardened SPARC(R) processor for space applications, the
AT697 Revision F delivering 90 MIPs at 100 MHz over full temperature
and voltage ranges for only 0.7W.

Atmel's Unrivalled Flight Heritage

With more than 1600 flight models of its predecessor, the
TSC695E, sold around the world, Atmel has an unrivalled flight
heritage on this SPARC V7 processor version. The AT697 Revision E was
the first version of a SPARC V8 processor and has proven its
computing power efficiency of 90 MIPs. It exhibits the following
radiation performance characteristics:

-- Total dose tested up to 100 Krad
-- SEU and SET induced error rate better than 10(-5) errors/device/day
in worst case conditions
-- No single event latch up below a LET threshold of 95 MeV.cm(2)/mg @
125 degrees C

The AT697E has demonstrated the capabilities of the SPARC V8 and
more than 100 flight models will be delivered this year.

AT697F Fully Radiation-Hardened Processor

The AT697 Revision F is the fully radiation-hardened ultimate
version achieving 100 MHz operation for only 0.7W with radiation
performance of:

-- Total dose tested up to 300 Krad
-- Extremely reliable against Single Event Upset and Transient (SEU and
SET induced error rate better than 10(-5) errors/device/day)
-- No single event latch-up below a LET threshold of 95 MeV.cm(2)/mg @
125 degrees C

The design is based on the European Space Agency (ESA) LEON2-FT
(Fault Tolerant) model and includes the latest techniques of
radiation hardening by design including Full Triple Modular
Redundancy, EDAC and parity bit protections. The European Space
Agency has supported the design of this product.

With its 90 MIPs (Dhrystone 2.1) and 23 MFlops (Whetstone) high
performance, the AT697F offers the industry's best computing power
efficiency of 150 MIPs per Watt. The AT697F is software compatible
with the other Atmel space SPARC processors and has drastically
improved the SDRAM interface efficiency, running at up to 90 MHz.

With up to 10 million gate ASICs, re-programmable FPGAs, SRAM,
EEPROM and SpaceWire products (all radiation-hardened), Atmel remains
the unrivaled leader of the past, current and future
radiation-hardened processors for space applications.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the AT697F are available in a MCGA349 package as well
as in a MQFPF256 package. The AT697F package versions are pin out
compatible with those of the AT697E.

The AT697F engineering models, in all package versions, are
available now. The AT697F processor flight models will be delivered
and tested to QML Q&V and ESCC quality flows in December 2009.

Request for a quote can be obtained from the regional Atmel Sales
Office or through the Atmel website (www.atmel.com).

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) 2009 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), Atmel
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:

For more information about Radiation-Hardened Devices, visit
http://www.atmel.com/products/radhard.

Press Contact:
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: helen.perlegos@atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
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Contact:
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations of Atmel Corporation,
+1-408-487-2963, helen.perlegos@atmel.com