Atmel Launches Industry's First Automotive Load Driver IC in SOI Technology

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Improved EMC Performance and Maximum Reliability at Less Than 1
Dollar

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the availability of the new ATA6826 driver IC, the
first such product in high-voltage BCD-SOI technology (SMARTIS(TM))
available on the market. The new driver IC provides improved
performance, a broad range of protection features, and a very
attractive price. The ATA6826 is designed to control two DC motors or
up to three different loads via a microcontroller in automotive
applications, e.g., body electronic systems such as mirror
positioning and climate control. Thanks to the device's high voltage
capability (up to 40V), the ATA6826 can also be used in 24V supplied
trucks or industrial applications.

In contrast to standard BCDMOS bulk technology, the SMARTIS
technology uses an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate. This results
in an extremely low leakage current. A significant reduction in
crosstalk between power and digital circuits on the same die is
achieved, and lower parasitic effects give added value for EMC
performance. The chip size reduction -- the gate density is
equivalent to 0.5-um CMOS -- allowed the design of a cost effective
and powerful high voltage power driver IC. The SMARTIS technology
also reduces manufacturing costs by simplifying the IC fabrication
process through the elimination of high-energy implementation for
well doping and simplification of device isolation.

Each of the three high-side and three low-side drivers of the
ATA6826 is capable of driving currents up to 1A. The drivers are
internally connected to form 3 half-bridges and can be controlled
separately from a standard serial data interface. Therefore, all
kinds of loads such as bulbs, resistors, capacitors, and inductors
can be combined. The IC design especially supports the application of
H-bridges to drive DC motors. The operation modes forward, reverse,
brake, as well as the high impedance will be controlled by the SPI
interface.

The ATA6826 provides several protection features such as
overtemperature warning and shutdown, overload, overvoltage
protection, and full protection against short circuits. Several
diagnostic bits are set in the SPI output register and can be read by
the microcontroller. In case of undervoltage at the supply pin, the
power-supply fail bit in the output register is set and all outputs
are disabled. If the overtemperature pre-warning bit is set, the
system developer can implement software routines on the
microcontroller to decrease the power dissipation and temperature. If
the temperature increases further, the IC shuts down at a certain
level to prevent destruction. The device also meets strict automotive
qualification demands (protection against conducted interference, EMC
and ESD protection) and can withstand transients as specified in
ISO/TR 7637.

Samples of the ATA6826 driver IC are available now in Pb-free SO14
packages with pricing starting at US $0.97 for 100k-piece quantities.
An application board for development support can be ordered for US
$131. Additional driver family members with enhanced features like
PWM control and also devices for high-temperature applications of up
to 150 degree Celsius ambient temperature will be introduced in
Q4/2006.

Footnote
BCDMOS = Mixed-signal technology with Bipolar, CMOS and DMOS components
EMC = Electro Magnetic Compatibility
ESD = Electronic Static Discharge
PWM = Pulse Width Modulation
SOI = Silicon On Insulator technology

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), and others are registered trademarks, SMARTIS and others are
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new load-driver IC ATA6826 may be
retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?fami
ly_id=606&family_name= Automotive+Control&part_id=3944

Press Contacts
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products
Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
Phone: +33-1-30-60-70-68, Fax: +49-7131-67-2423, Email:
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

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

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

Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com; or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax,
+49-7131-67-2423, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com