Single-Chip Multimedia Processor Delivers High Throughput, Low Power Consumption
MUNICH, Germany and FREMONT, Calif. - March 3, 2003, Virage Logic Corp. (Nasdaq:VIRL), a leading provider of best-in-class application-optimized semiconductor IP platforms, today announced that its silicon-proven semiconductor IP played a key role in the development of Alphamosaic's VC01 multimedia processor, the industry's lowest power video processor, designed for portable consumer devices such as mobile videophones, camera-enabled PDAs and smart sensors.
Under the terms of the agreement, Alphamosaic has licensed Virage Logic's Self Test and Repair (STAR) Memory System™ and the Area, Speed and Power (ASAP) Memory™ High-Density (HD) embedded SRAM on TSMC's 0.13-micron logic process, enabling ultra low-power operation and high memory yields for the VC01 processor. Leveraging these benefits with its own VideoCore® architecture, the VC01 allows designers to develop full mobile multimedia functionality, while meeting the stringent power budgets demanded by next-generation portable devices.
The license agreement dovetails with Virage Logic's expanded market strategy targeting the high-volume consumer portable market with application-optimized semiconductor IP platforms. Virage Logic's platform strategy is based on delivering best-in-class memory, logic, I/Os and IP development tools to meet the critical requirements of reducing costs, while boosting performance and ensuring reliability.
"A key consideration in picking a partner was not only superior support, but our need for first-time working silicon. Through its extensive characterization program and silicon-proven IP, Virage Logic delivered the necessary reliability, support and expertise that was crucial for our first product," said Dr. Robert Swann, vice president of marketing, Alphamosaic. "We were able to manufacture an ASAP Memory HD embedded SRAM that helps provide the ultra-low power consumption critical for delivering a single-chip multimedia solution, while the self-test and repair STAR Memory System enabled very high yields that helped us meet our stringent cost targets."
The ASAP Memory HD embedded SRAM functions at lower operational voltages and keeps leakage current down without requiring a special low-voltage process. This allows Alphamosaic's VC01 to function reliably at voltages below 1.2V, which is the standard operating voltage for the 0.13-micron process. Additionally, with over 8Mb of on-chip memory, Alphamosaic needed an integrated system that would test and repair itself. With the STAR Memory System, the system integrates self-test and repair functionality directly onto the chip, enabling large amounts of SRAM to be designed onto System-on-Chip (SoC) devices. It also provides a significant cost savings by eliminating the need for expensive test equipment and delivering higher yields during manufacturing.
"Alphamosaic has achieved a monumental feat with its VC01 video processor, and we're pleased to contribute our leading-edge semiconductor IP to this revolutionary advancement in low-power video for portable devices," said Krishna Balachandran, senior director of product marketing, Virage Logic. "Our success with Alphamosaic is a significant step in our expansion into high-volume consumer markets with our application-optimized semiconductor IP platforms."
About Virage Logic Embedded Memories
Virage Logic embedded memories are developed using memory design techniques that achieve unprecedented results in yield, area, speed and power.
- The STAR Memory System: The first fully integrated embedded memory product that economically embeds multiple megabits of SRAM and ROM into an SoC. The system addresses the specific high-speed, high-density or ultra-low-power large memory needs of SoC designers and includes one or more STAR and/or ASAP Memory blocks, a STAR Processor and a STAR Fuse Box.
- The ASAP Memory HD Embedded SRAM: ASAP memories are optimized for speed, area and power. Alphamosaic implemented the ASAP Memory HD embedded SRAM to achieve maximum efficiency in chip real estate.
About Virage Logic
Virage Logic Corp. (Nasdaq:VIRL) is a leading provider of best-in-class application-optimized semiconductor IP platforms based on memory, logic, I/Os and IP development tools that are silicon proven and production ready. Virage Logic meets market demands for cost reduction, while improving performance and reliability for fabless and integrated device manufacturer (IDM) companies focused on the consumer, communications and networking, handheld and portable, and graphics markets. Virage Logic is headquartered in Fremont, California and has sales and support offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.viragelogic.com or call (877) 360-6690 (toll free) or (510) 360-8000. Virage Logic?s European headquarters office can be reached by calling +44-1635-233-100.
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT FOR VIRAGE LOGIC UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:
Statements made in this news release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including, for example, statements relating to Virage Logic's business outlook, new products and new relationships. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which might cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include Virage Logic's ability to maintain and develop new relationships with third-party foundries, adoption of technologies by semiconductor companies and increases in the demand for their products, the company's ability to overcome the challenges associated with establishing licensing relationships with semiconductor companies, the company's ability to obtain royalty revenues from customers in addition to license fees, business and economic conditions generally and in the semiconductor industry in particular, competition in the market for embedded memories and other risks including those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended September 30, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 16, 2002, and in Virage Logic's other periodic reports filed with the SEC, all of which are available from Virage Logic or from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov), and in press releases and other communications. Virage Logic disclaims any intention or duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release.
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