ChipX Mixed-Signal ASIC Processes and Procedures Satisfy DO-254 Standard

Update: GigOptix, Inc. Announces Acquisition of ChipX (November 10, 2009)

ChipX Is Now Ready to Offer DO-254 Certification Support for Aerospace and Military ASIC Projects

SANTA CLARA, CA -- Apr 22, 2008 -- ChipX, Inc., a leading developer of mixed-signal ASICs offering the industry's broadest array of low-risk solutions, today announced that it has completed all the training and organizational preparation necessary to undertake aerospace and military projects that require certification to the DO-254 standard.

Initially drafted by the avionics industry to regulate hardware deployment, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) standard DO-254 Design Assurance Guidance for Airborne Electronic Hardware lays out a precise system of design guidelines for developers, verification and quality engineers, installers and users. The standard starts at design conception and runs through initial certification to ensure quality design and production for in-flight electronic systems. Many of these systems use mixed-signal ASICs. In 2005, The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) mandated that all Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs) be certified to the DO-254 quality control system standard for in-flight systems in military, commercial and space aircraft.

ChipX brings extensive experience with military and aerospace designs. The company has provided reliable, secure ASIC services to the industry since 1989 and currently supplies ASICs to many of the leading systems developers in the industry. ChipX has also met International Trade in Arms Regulations (ITAR) guidelines for many years.

"Our quality control systems are regularly audited by world class companies and we have been ISO9001 and ITAR certified since 1999," notes Randy Jurrat, Director of Quality and Reliability Assurance at ChipX. "Our support of DO-254 requirements reflects a strong, company-wide commitment to quality that we are pleased to extend to our customers."

ChipX employees have undergone extensive DO-254 training and are ready to help aerospace and military systems manufacturers achieve successful certification to the DO-254 standard by providing access to quality assurance processes, configuration management systems and qualified engineers.

ChipX offers DO-254 compliance support for its entire product line including Structured ASIC, Hybrid ASIC, Embedded Array and Standard Cell ASIC. This support also covers ChipX-offered IP such as high-speed data converters, PCI Express, USB 2.0, as well as other mixed-signal and analog components.

About ChipX

ChipX, Inc. is a Mixed-Signal ASIC company with the broadest offering of value-added ASIC solutions, including Standard Cell, Structured ASIC, Embedded Array and Hybrid ASIC technology. ChipX has unique expertise in PCI Express, USB 2.0, DDR/DDR2 and data conversion mixed-signal cores; all are silicon proven and certified and they can be integrated in customers' ASICs with a record first-time to market success. ChipX products are widely used in consumer equipment, computing peripherals, communication systems, instrumentation and industrial control, medical equipment and military/aerospace systems. Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, ChipX is a privately held corporation, with a Research and Development subsidiary in Israel. Investors include Elron Electronic Industries, Ltd. , VantagePoint Venture Partners, Wasserstein Venture Capital, UMC and Needham Capital Partners.