HEILBRONN, Germany, August 28 /PRNewswire/ --
Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of the ATR1841 and ATR1842 front monitor diode (FMD) ICs for use in the optical pick-up units (OPUs) of slim and ultra-slim HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives. These new devices measure only 3 mm x 3 mm and provide outstanding performance.
As the market for high-capacity optical storage drives such as HD-DVD and Blu-ray matures, drive-makers are looking for opportunities to further reduce drive component sizes in order to produce slim and ultra-slim drives for use in laptops, while at the same time continuing to address the requirements for low noise and fast pulse response times. Atmel, with the introduction of its extremely small FMD ICs, provides the technology not only to overcome space limitations but also to improve on the noise, bandwidth, and gain performance of today's drives.
The ATR1841 and ATR1842 support all wavelengths used in CD, DVD, and HD-DVD/Blu-ray drives. Both devices have a serial interface, which easily allows manufacturers, using firmware, to change between the 3 gain modes and to adjust the gain by +/- 6 dB in each mode. The serial interface also reduces the overall bill of material as external potentiometers are no longer needed to control the gain. Additionally, it enables a reduction in pin-count, thus allowing the device to be packaged in Atmel's advanced 3 mm x 3 mm QFN package.
This Atmel-patented open package has a cavity, which permits the laser direct access to the die surface and therefore to the photo diode, resulting in improved system performance and a higher yield.
Owing to Atmel's proprietary photo-diode processing technology, the ATR1841 and ATR1842 have an unprecedented channel bandwidth of over 160 MHz, while maintaining a low noise level of less than -80 dBm, ideal for 8x HD-DVD and Blu-ray drives.
In addition, Atmel's process technology -- unlike some competing technologies -- has been proven not to suffer from degradation of the photo diode when exposed to blue laser light over extended periods of high temperature (as in a standard HD-DVD/Blu-ray drive), which further improves the reliability and lifetime of the drive.
Availability and Pricing
Samples of the ATR1841 and ATR1842 in 3 mm x 3 mm, environmentally- friendly QFN open packages are now available. Pricing starts at US $0.80 for quantities of 10k.
Footnote
DVD = Digital Versatile Disc
FMD = Front Monitor Diode
HD = High Density
OPU = Optical Pick-up Unit
QFN = Quad Flat No Leads
About Atmel
Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.
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Information
Product information on Atmel's front monitor diode ICs ATR1841 and ATR1842 may be retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/produc... (ATR1841) http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/produc... (ATR1842)
Press Contacts
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products
Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com
Web site: http://www.atmel.com
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive Products, +49-7131-67-2081, susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation
