Atmel Introduces a Complete Biometric System for Easy Integration Into Customer Applications

Independent and Flexible Platforms Provide Increased Security

Grenoble, France – September 1st, 2004. . . Atmel® Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the introduction of the AT77SM0101BCB02VKE FingerChipTM biometric module, a complete biometric system including a processing facility and authentication software, aimed at facilitating the addition of a biometric feature into Physical Access Control, Point of Sales, Locks, and Time and Attendance systems or many other secure applications.

The biometric module is an excellent choice for system designers and electronic equipment manufacturers wishing to add biometric functionality to their products. All inclusive, it benefits from Atmel’s rich product portfolio to combine award-winning and powerful components such as Atmel‘s AT91RM9200 ARM9 micro controller, 128 Mbits of SDRAM and 32 Mbits of Atmel’s DataFlash in a single system, making it easy for customers to add their own application software directly onto the module. Many popular interfaces such as Ethernet, SPI and RS-232 are available through extension connectors, providing great flexibility to customers for their product design. Atmel’s FingerChip sensor provides its own benefits, such as its very small size and high resistance to shocks, humidity and dirt, also making it ideal for outdoor use. The authentication software is preloaded (license is included) for an all-in-one solution.

The Evaluation/Development Kit enables quick development of the final application interface using the Linux preloaded operating system and the high-level biometric macros. With intermediate knowledge of Linux programming, integrators will quickly be able to implement the biometric module into their final software application. Along with a full set of technical documentation, the mechanical integration is also detailed in the Evaluation Kit documentation so that final systems can be designed in record time.

“The market for fingerprint-based applications is booming, yet the technology is not always easy to implement if you lack the competency in biometrics. Customers who do not have many resources to develop will now find the product they need,” said David Richard, Atmel Biometrics Worldwide Marketing Manager. “One of the strengths of Atmel is its breadth and depth of products and technologies. We used our experience in fingerprint systems and ARM micro controllers to develop a complete system and give our customers access to biometric technology. A complete, off-the-shelf product with everything required to quickly and easily integrate fingerprint functionality is what they need and the great interest customers all around the world have already shown for this product is the proof of it,” he added.

Evaluation Kits and Biometric Modules are now available through selected Atmel distributors. The suggested resell price for the AT77SM0101BCB02VKE biometric module is $89 per unit (minimum order quantity of 40 units). For pricing of larger quantities please contact an Atmel representative. The suggested resell price for the AT77SM0101BCB02VEK Evaluation Kit is $599.

Information

For further information on Atmel's biometrics, go to http://www.atmel.com/products/Biometrics/

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California with manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets worldwide, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system-level integration semiconductor solutions using CMOS, BiCMOS, SiGe, and high-voltage BCDMOS process technologies.

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