AMI Semiconductor Kicks Off Series of Automotive Electronics Announcements at Convergence 2002
DETROIT--Oct. 21, 2002--Long-time supplier to automotive industry worldwide unveils new
ASIC product, global automotive certification, NASCAR sponsorship
AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) kicked off a series of automotive related announcements here today at Convergence 2002, the industry's premier automotive electronics conference.
At a reception hosted by AMI Semiconductor CEO Chris King, AMIS unveiled ASTRX2, a new addition to the company's single-chip transceiver product line ideal for wireless automotive applications such as remote keyless entry, tire pressure control and adaptive radio control. AMIS also announced today that its mixed-signal ASIC fabrication facility in Oudenaarde, Belgium is among the industry's first facilities to achieve ISO/TS (Technical Specification) 16949 certification. Full company certification is targeted for November 2002. ISO/TS 16949, coupled with customer-specific requirements, defines near-zero defect quality system requirements for use in the automotive supply chain. AMI Semiconductor is one of the first microelectronics companies to achieve this certificate level.
To highlight its commitment to the automotive industry, AMIS is sponsoring the NASCAR racecar that will be driven by one of the circuit's top points leaders, Scott Wimmer, in the Busch Series NASCAR race to be held Saturday, October 26 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Other automotive-related announcements will be made by AMIS next month when the company exhibits in the automotive pavilion of Electronica, to be scheduled for November 12-15 in Munich, Germany.
"AMIS has been delivering integrated circuit solutions to Tier-One automotive suppliers around the world for more than 30 years," said Chris King, president and CEO of AMI Semiconductor. "We are proud of the relationships we enjoy with global car manufacturers and automotive suppliers such as Hella, Bosch and Siemens VDO. We want to let others in the industry know that our unparalleled manufacturing flexibility, dedication to customer service and years of experience in automotive electronics design make us ideally suited to provide the lowest cost, quickest time-to-market automotive electronics solutions available today."
Serving Automotive Customers Worldwide
With its acquisition of the European mixed-signal business of Alcatel Microelectronics (AME) earlier this year, AMIS is even better equipped to service automotive customers around the world. Two mixed-signal fabrication facilities in the United States and two more in Belgium provide AMIS with the capability to produce automotive electronics products that can meet the rigorous requirements of the demanding automotive environment.
"Over the years, AMIS personnel have developed a wide range of automotive electronics solutions by applying their in-depth technology and research and development expertise in the fields of high voltage interfacing, low data rate wireless solution, system-level integration and sensor interfaces," said Bob Klosterboer, vice president of the worldwide mixed-signal business unit of AMIS.
AMIS offers a range of technologies that allow high voltage supply up to 100V and bring more capability of component integration, including 8-, 16- and 32-bit embedded microprocessor cores. AMIS technologies are all ready for the 42V powered new car generation.
AMIS technologies serve as the basis for automotive ASIC and ASSP (Application Specific Standard Product) solutions for powertrain, safety, body, dashboard, in-vehicle-networking (IVN), sensors and actuator applications, including:
Sensor interfaces
Braking
Yaw/ride control
Compass
Gas emission
Drive-by-wire
Low data rate wireless applications
Remote entry starting
Adaptive radio
Occupancy/position verification
High voltage interface designs
Headlight control
42V switching
Circuit protection
Actuator driver
Motor driver
IVN
System level integration
Engine control
Display
Mechatronics
Cruise control
Intelligent slave mode
AMI Semiconductor's focus on customer needs translates into the implementation of custom IC solutions some years before their production. AMIS personnel, therefore, play key roles in future car architecture and equipment design. Innovative programs that AMIS is participating in today include the definition of the new bus standard for non-critical applications (LIN) and the development of drive-by-wire products, which leverage AMI Semiconductor's experience in sensor interfaces and actuator drivers. AMIS is also active in the gas sensor interface environment, which aims to re-use power and ultimately decrease global pollution. AMIS recently launched a CMOS image sensor program to address the growing market of smart safety applications such as lane detection and passenger recognition. The wireless RF product roadmap from AMIS is focused on the growing wireless automotive segment, and a roadmap of new high voltage 0.35micron CMOS-based technologies is under active development.
About AMI Semiconductor
AMI Semiconductor (AMIS) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). As a widely recognized innovator in state-of-the-art mixed-signal technologies and mid-range digital ASICs including ASIC conversion services, AMIS is committed to providing customers with the lowest cost, quickest time-to-market ASIC solutions. Offering unparalleled manufacturing flexibility and dedication to customer service, AMI Semiconductor operates globally with headquarters in Pocatello, Idaho, European corporate offices in Oudenaarde, Belgium, and a network of sales and design centers located in the key markets of the United States, Europe and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, please visit the AMIS Web site at http://www.amis.com.