Contact Information: Media Contacts: Susan Cain Cain Communications for Sidense Tel: 503-538-2747 Email: Jim Lipman Sidense Tel: 925-606-1370 Email: Rob Ashwell Publitek for Audium Semiconductor Tel: +44 (0)1225 470000 Email:
Sidense OTP Memory IP Helps "Green Up" Audium's Power Amplifier
| Source: Sidense
OTTAWA and BRISTOL, UK--(Marketwire - January 13, 2010) - Sidense Corp., a leading developer
of Logic Non-Volatile Memory (LNVM) IP cores, and Audium Semiconductor, a
developer of highly efficient audio power amplifier integrated circuits,
have announced the use of Sidense's ultra-low-power SLP one-time
programmable (OTP) memory in Audium's recently announced high efficiency
AS1001 audio power amplifier chip. The Sidense OTP macro is used to
predefine register defaults after a chip reset.
While traditional Class D amplifiers only achieve optimum efficiency at or
near full output power, the AS1001 amplifies an audio signal over the
entire operating output power range and includes techniques to minimize
both fixed losses and output-dependant variable losses. At normal
listening levels, the AS1001 is 20 times more efficient than a traditional
Class D power amplifier. Operating from a nominal 1.5V power supply and
delivering 100W peak power output, the AS1001 is so efficient that
battery-powered amplified loudspeakers, playing for three hours per day,
can run for up to 10 months on a set of four 'C' batteries. This high
efficiency means a "greener" amplifier, since Audium technology greatly
reduces carbon dioxide from power generation and pollution from battery
production.
"A highly efficient audio power amplifier such as the AS1001 will find use
in many consumer products, so minimum power and low cost are essential
attributes," said Tom Schild, Vice President of Worldwide Sales for
Sidense. "The ultra-low power requirements and very small size of Sidense
SLP macros are an ideal fit for Audium's audio power amplifier OTP
requirements."
"Optimizing the very high efficiency of our power amplifier ICs requires
that every component used on the chips exhibit very low power dissipation,"
said Huw Davies, Chief Commercial Officer for Audium. "Sidense's OTP
macros combine very low power, a small footprint and ease of programming,
which helped Audium develop the most efficient audio power amplifier over
normal listening levels in the industry."
About Sidense
Sidense Corp. provides secure, very dense and reliable non-volatile,
one-time programmable (OTP) memory IP for use in standard-logic CMOS
processes with no additional masks or process steps required and no impact
on product yield. The Company's innovative one-transistor 1T-Fuse™
architecture provides the industry's smallest footprint, most reliable and
lowest power Logic Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) IP solution. With over 40
patents granted or pending, Sidense OTP provides a field-programmable
alternative solution to Flash, mask ROM and eFuse in many OTP and MTP
applications.
Sidense OTP memory, embedded in over 80 customer designs, is available from
180nm down to 55nm and is scalable to 28nm and below. The IP is offered at
and has been adopted by all top-tier semiconductor foundries and selected
IDMs. Customers are using Sidense OTP for analog trimming, code storage,
encryption keys such as HDCP, WHDI, RFID and Chip ID, medical, automotive,
and configurable processors and logic. For more information, please visit
www.sidense.com.
About Audium Semiconductor
Audium designs, develops and markets audio power amplifier integrated
circuits that are 20 times more power efficient than competing technologies
at normal listening levels. Utilizing our devices in consumer audio
applications reduces power consumption, extends battery life, enables
smaller form factors, cuts cost-of-ownership, reduces waste, and
contributes towards a more sustainable environment, all without
compromising system performance. For more information, please visit
www.audiumsemi.com.