FREMONT, Calif. -- April 12, 1999 -- Following the success of its popular CS4280 PCI audio solution, Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS) today introduced a higher-performing, lower cost PCI audio controller, the CS4281. In addition to addressing the basic audio requirements of PC designs and providing support for industry standards and legacy applications, the CS4281 also supports multiple sample rates with internal sample rate converters.

The new chip, pin-compatible with a variety of Crystal® audio solutions, provides a high-quality PCI audio at an affordable ISA price point. With the addition of the CS4281, the Crystal audio family offers PC manufacturers a broader choice for increasing the economy, reliability and convenience in their PC audio subsystems.

A Low-Cost Gaming Solution

With its support for sample rates from 8 to 48kHz, the CS4281 supports all multimedia file types, and increases system design flexibility. Further, this device can handle multiple streams of data for systems that include a software modem and/or multiple audio channels, thereby supporting streaming audio in gaming and Internet applications, and true audio surround sound using up to eight speakers.

The CS4281 provides SoundBlaster legacy game support, ensuring that systems using the new chip will be compatible with most gaming software. All these features taken together make the CS4281 the perfect low-cost gaming machine solution.

Leading Support For Industry Standards

With support for industry quality standards such as Microsoft's PC98 and PC99, the CS4281 provides the basic features required in a PC audio subsystem, whether built into a desktop or portable PC motherboard, add-in card or set-top box. When combined with the Crystal CS4297A codec, the two devices comprise a fully-compliant and affordable PCI audio solution that provides compatibility for legacy games. Moreover, because the CS4281 is optimized to meet the PC98 and PC99 requirements, it can streamline system testing in Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification program.

"We have utilized our mixed-signal expertise to create industry-leading audio solutions that meet a range of design requirements," said Scott McDonald, vice president of marketing for computer audio. "Today's designers, in order to comply with Microsoft's standards, are challenged to transition their systems away from ISA bus parts to the traditionally more expensive PCI-bus solutions. The low-cost of the CS4281, combined with its rich feature set, enables system designers to transition from ISA to PCI without sacrificing audio quality."

Crystal PCI Audio Family

The CS4281 offers a pin-compatible upgrade path to the Crystal CS4614, a 255 MIPS, DSP-accelerated PCI audio controller that enables home theater-class audio via a desktop PC. In addition to a scalable product line, Cirrus Logic's family of PCI audio controllers also includes a common suite of industry-leading driver support, providing exceptional interoperability with today's PC hardware solutions. By offering a seamless upgrade path and common drivers, Cirrus Logic offers PC manufacturers a full range of audio price and performance options.

CS4281 Features

• CrystalClear Legacy Support (CCLS) -- The CS4281 delivers legacy support for both Windows DOS box and Real Mode applications through an advanced single-chip implementation. In addition, the CS4281 also supports industry standard PC/PCI and DDMA to provide OEMs and add-in card manufacturers several options to ensure legacy support.
  
  
• Standards Compliance -- The CS4281 audio accelerator is the only affordable PC audio controller that is also fully-compliant with Microsoft's PC97, PC98 and PC99 requirements. This streamlines certification tests for PC OEMs and add-in card manufacturers, specifically meeting the following standards:
  
  
• PCI Power Management (PPMI)
  
  
• Advanced Power Management (APM)
  
  
• Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)
  
  
• Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT 4.0/5.0 and OS/2 driver support
  
  
• MPU-401 Interface, FM Synthesizer and Game Port -- All of the components needed for true legacy games compatibility and interface to existing peripherals such as joysticks and keyboards.
  
  
• Full-Duplex Operation -- Enables voice input while audio is playing for applications such as voice control and voice recognition.
  
  
• Hardware Volume Control -- OEM manufacturers can incorporate volume buttons on the front of the PC or monitor.
  
  
• Digital Docking for Portables -- Multiple stereo audio codecs are supported to enable high- quality digital docking solutions for portable computers.
  
  

Availability

The CS4281 PCI audio controller will be sampling in May 1999 with production quantities available in July 1999. The device is available in a 100-MQFP package as well as a 100-TQFP package for portable applications. Pricing will start at $4.00 each in quantities of 10,000.

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. Additional information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

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Note to editors: Cirrus Logic is a registered trademark and Crystal, CrystalClear, SoundFusion and CrystalClear Legacy Support are trademarks of Cirrus Logic, Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.