Atmel Announces High-Performance, Extra-small Front Monitor Diode ICs for HD-DVD/Blu-ray Laptop Drives

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the
availability of the ATR1841 and ATR1842 front monitor diode (FMD)
ICs for use in the optical pick-up units (OPUs) of slim and
ultra-slim HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives. These new devices measure only
3 mm x 3 mm and provide outstanding performance.

As the market for high-capacity optical storage drives such as
HD-DVD and Blu-ray matures, drive-makers are looking for
opportunities to further reduce drive component sizes in order to
produce slim and ultra-slim drives for use in laptops, while at the
same time continuing to address the requirements for low noise and
fast pulse response times. Atmel, with the introduction of its
extremely small FMD ICs, provides the technology not only to overcome
space limitations but also to improve on the noise, bandwidth, and
gain performance of today's drives.

The ATR1841 and ATR1842 support all wavelengths used in CD, DVD,
and HD-DVD/Blu-ray drives. Both devices have a serial interface,
which easily allows manufacturers, using firmware, to change between
the 3 gain modes and to adjust the gain by +/- 6 dB in each mode. The
serial interface also reduces the overall bill of material as
external potentiometers are no longer needed to control the gain.
Additionally, it enables a reduction in pin-count, thus allowing the
device to be packaged in Atmel's advanced 3 mm x 3 mm QFN package.

This Atmel-patented open package has a cavity, which permits the
laser direct access to the die surface and therefore to the photo
diode, resulting in improved system performance and a higher yield.

Owing to Atmel's proprietary photo-diode processing technology,
the ATR1841 and ATR1842 have an unprecedented channel bandwidth of
over 160 MHz, while maintaining a low noise level of less than -80
dBm, ideal for 8x HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives.

In addition, Atmel's process technology -- unlike some competing
technologies -- has been proven not to suffer from degradation of the
photo diode when exposed to blue laser light over extended periods of
high temperature (as in a standard HD-DVD/Blu-ray drive), which
further improves the reliability and lifetime of the drive.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the ATR1841 and ATR1842 in 3 mm x 3 mm,
environmentally- friendly QFN open packages are now available.
Pricing starts at US $0.80 for quantities of 10k.

Footnote
DVD = Digital Versatile Disc
FMD = Front Monitor Diode
HD = High Density
OPU = Optical Pick-up Unit
QFN = Quad Flat No Leads

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) 2007 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

Product information on Atmel's front monitor diode ICs ATR1841 and
ATR1842 may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4213
(ATR1841)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4214
(ATR1842)

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
Phone: +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:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or Helen
Perlegos, Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com,
both of Atmel Corporation