Atmel Introduces an Ultra Low Power MP3 Decoder for Mobile Phone Applications

New Chip Provides Mobile Phone Manufacturers With More FunctionalityWhile Reducing System Size and Cost

NANTES (FRANCE), October 26 (PRNewswire)

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the developmentand fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, announced today theavailability of the AT89C51SND2C, a new MP3 decoder, which combines in asingle package all features needed in a mobile phone to play MP3 ring tonesand to convert a cell phone into a pen drive.

The AT89C51SND2C has been specially developed to handle the MP3 ringtones in mobile phones. Integrated in a mobile phone, the AT89C51SND2C caneasily replace sound generators, while offering MMC/SD card readercapability, MP3 music decoding and USB connection to PC. This provides mobilephone manufacturers with more functionality while reducing the system sizeand costs.

Derived from the AT89C51SND1C, a fully integrated standalone hardwiredMPEGI/II Layer-3 decoder, with an 8-bit microcontroller core, handlingdataflow and MP3-player control, the AT89C51SND2C offers 64 Kbytes of Flashmemory, an embedded MP3 decoder, host communication (serial, parallel, USB)and a Multi Media Card interface. It also includes a high quality stereo DACwith a 50 mW earphone power amplifier, and a 500 mW speaker power amplifier.

The AT89C51SND2C has versatile functionality apart from generating MP3tones. It can play MP3 music from the mobile phone Flash through UART or SPIor from the Flash card (DataFlash(R), NAND Flash, MultimediaCard, Xd-PictureCard, Secure Digital, CompactFlash). It can also upload/download files intothe mobile phone NAND Flash or NOR Flash, upload files from the MMC to themobile phone NAND or NOR Flash.

"For just one dollar more, the AT89C51SND2C allows the mobile phonemanufacturers to get rid of the MIDI sound generator while offering to themarket a product with extended functionality," said Bernard Bancelin,Marketing Manager of Audio Line at Atmel. "With its compact package, and lowpower consumption down to 35 mA while playing music at 2.7V, the AT89C51SND2Coffers longer battery life with optimized space," he added.

The AT89C51SND2C is available in a BGA100 (9x9mm) package in industrialtemperature. Pricing for 500,000-unit quantity per year is US$6.00. A maskedROM version is available for low cost application at US$4.50 for 500,000units.

A complete development package is available to help designers developtheir new applications. It includes an emulator, a development board(AT89DVK-04) and a remote MP3-reference design (AT89RFD-08). All boards comewith complete MP3-player firmware, schematics and host drivers.

Footnote

DAC: Digital -to-Analog Converter

MIDI: Musical Instrument Digital Interface

MMC: MultimediaCard

SD: Secure Digital

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture ofmicrocontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radiofrequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadestintellectual property (IP) portfolios, Atmel is able to provide theelectronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer,industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, AtmelICs can be found Everywhere You AreSM.

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof and DataFlash(R), areregistered trademarks, and Everywhere You AreSM is the trademark of AtmelCorporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be thetrademarks of others. MPEG Layer-3 coding technology licensed from FraunhoferIIS and Thomson Multimedia.

Information: Further information about Atmel's AT89C51SND2C product maybe retrieved at:http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/produc...

Atmel's Press Contacts:

Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager,

Tel: +33-2-40-18-18-87, Email: philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com

Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe,

Tel: +33-1-30-60-70-68, Email: veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

Clive Over, Director of Press Relations - USA and Asia,

Tel: +1-408-451-2855, Email: cliveover@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

Source: Atmel Corporation

Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager, +33-2-40-18-18-87, or philippe.faure@nto.atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com, or Clive Over, Director of Press Relations - USA and Asia, +1-408-451-2855, or cliveover@atmel.com

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