FREMONT, Calif. -- Feb. 22, 1999 -- Highlighting its mixed-signal expertise, Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) today announced that it has developed the industry's most highly integrated 1394* core for integration into a variety of mass storage solutions, targeting the emerging audio/video hard disk drive (AV HDD) market.
Integrated with Cirrus Logic's high-performance hard disk controller, the new core, which contains both the physical (PHY) and link layers, creates the SH7760 -- the industry's most highly integrated 1394 hard disk controller. With an unsurpassed level of integration, the SH7760 delivers the functionality currently provided by three separate components, making it the most cost effective, high-performance 1394 disk controller on the market today.
Cirrus Logic reports that the new 1394 core is also available for integration into its innovative 3CI™ platform. Eliminating the lag time that has historically plagued disk drive manufacturers that want to integrate leading-edge technology, the 3CI + 1394 solution creates the industry's first 1394, system-on-a-chip HDD solution and provides unmatched cost and size advantages. This device, customized to meet a disk drive manufacturer's requirements, is ideal for AV drives poised for use in high-growth consumer electronic products such as digital set-top boxes, digital video recorders and digital televisions.
"Hard disk drives will likely be an integral part of most next-generation digital AV systems," said Chris Dawe, semiconductor research analyst at IDC. "With 1394-based standards like iLINK* and HAVi* receiving strong industry backing, system designers will be able to leverage the technology. With today's announcement, Cirrus Logic is well positioned to address this emerging market."
"Integration is the name of the game in hard disk drive electronics, and Cirrus Logic claimed the lead when we announced our 3CI platform in June of '98," said Steve Dines, vice president and general manager Cirrus Logic's Mass Storage Division. "With the addition of 1394 capability to 3CI, we are helping our customers expand beyond the desktop to the domain of digital AV systems, where integration and cost-effectiveness will be key to their success. The Digital AV market will not begin generating significant revenues for at least 18 months, but by delivering the key 1394 component to our customers while the market is in its infancy, we believe we can capture a leadership position in this potentially high volume market."
Most Highly-Integrated 1394 HDD Controller
Although many semiconductor suppliers are developing 1394 chips, no other supplier has successfully tackled the challenge of offering a disk controller with an integrated 1394 link and PHY. Leveraging its read-channel expertise, Cirrus Logic developed a high-speed (400 Mbits/s) standard CMOS, mixed-signal PHY. By developing the PHY in standard CMOS, Cirrus Logic provides a sophisticated analog solution, eliminating the costly extra process steps typically associated with developing the analog performance level of a 1394 chip.
3CI + 1394 System-On-A-Chip Solution
This announcement also highlights Cirrus Logic's commitment to make core elements simultaneously available for integration into its system-on-a-chip 3CI platform. The 3CI + 1394 device provides all the key HDD functions on a single chip, including the partial-response- maximum-likelihood (PRML) read-channel for reliable data acquisition at 330 Mbits/s; an ARM 32-bit processor core to handle both system and servo control functions; and a 1394 compatible hard disk controller which links the device to the consumer electronics world. Since Cirrus Logic's 3CI chip integrates servo logic into its disk controller, and the ARM processor includes program memory, the only system functions needed to create a complete 1394 AV HDD design are the pre- amp, motor drivers and buffer memory.
Pricing, Packaging and Availability
The SH7760 is available now in a 128-pin SQFP and in a 128-pin LQFP and sells for $12 each in quantities of 10,000. The 3CI + 1394 solution is a highly customized system-on-a-chip solution tailored to customer specific requirements. Consult Cirrus Logic's mass storage marketing for pricing and delivery at (510) 226-2394.
Cirrus Logic Inc.
Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of precision linear circuits and advanced mixed-signal chip solutions. The company's products, sold under its own name and the Crystal product brand, enable system-level applications in mass storage, audio and precision data conversion.
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Note to editors: Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark and 3CI is a trademark of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.
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