SMSC Launches Its First TrueAuto™ Ethernet Transceiver

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.--SMSC , a leading semiconductor company that provides Smart Mixed-Signal Connectivity™ solutions, today launched the LAN88710 MII/RMII 10/100 Ethernet Transceiver, its second TrueAuto™ Ethernet solution. This device is designed specifically to meet the high reliability standards required by automotive applications such as on-board diagnostics or fast software download interfaces for central gateway and telematics modules, navigation systems, radio head units and connectivity devices. The LAN88710 transceiver offers increased access speed for diagnostics and software downloads over traditionally slower speed interfaces typically used to connect to the vehicle today. When used within today's complex vehicle electrical systems, which are packed full with user content, the LAN88710 transceiver can help diagnose issues faster and lower software maintenance time so repairs are completed more quickly and cost less.

The TrueAuto LAN88710 transceiver has been specifically designed, validated, qualified, characterized and manufactured for the high reliability requirements of the car. The device provides a simple, digital interface via the MII standard (IEEE 802.3u) to a typical MAC layer integrated within an embedded microcontroller. Built into an embedded device within the car, the chip can function as a network branch to the outside world, connecting the car to a personal computer, diagnostic tool or to a complex Ethernet network in the repair shop.

The size of embedded program and data memories in today’s modern cars is growing rapidly. For example, the newly released BMW 7 Series has more than one Gbyte of memory while the previous model had just short of 100 Mbytes of memory. While repair shops usually diagnose and fix problems, they also have the ability to update the software and data embedded in various control devices inside the car. Access into the car to obtain this valuable information is through the On Board Diagnostics (OBD) connector. This standardized connector today not only provides a slow communication interface but updating software through this interface can takes hours, which significantly increases both repair times and cost. As a result, many car companies are working on an upgrade of the OBD connector to provide the car with a high-performance data interface for diagnostics and software downloads - Ethernet. The initiative is expected to lead to a new ISO/SAE standard that mandates this interface as part of the OBD connector.

Ethernet is a widely used networking technology in the repair shop IT infrastructure. Its broad proliferation, high-bandwidth and optimized communication for bursts or packets of information also make it an excellent connectivity solution to the automobile. It can connect the external Ethernet-based infrastructure of the repair shop to a vehicle in a repair bay to then move large amounts of diagnostic information and software data seamlessly between the two.

“Transferring data between the diagnostics bay and the car is time consuming and often spotty when using today’s traditional diagnostics interface,” said Dr. Christian Thiel, Vice President and General Manager of SMSC’s Automotive Information Systems group. “SMSC’s automotive Ethernet transceiver delivers high data speed at the reliability grade that our automotive customers expect.”

Key Features of the LAN88710

Designed specifically for automotive applications
Single-Chip Ethernet Physical Layer Transceiver (PHY)
Comprehensive flexPWRŽ Technology
- Flexible Power Management Architecture
- Power savings of up to 40 percent compared to other similar devices
- LVCMOS Variable I/O voltage range: +1.6V to +3.6V
- Integrated 1.2V regulator with disable feature
HP Auto-MDIX support
Small footprint 32 pin QFN lead-free RoHS compliant package (5 x 5 x 0.9mm height)

Availability

Samples of the LAN88710 are available today.

About TrueAuto

TrueAuto is SMSC’s automotive quality process. It has proven its capability to deliver leading edge quality and services to fulfill the needs of even the most demanding automotive customers. If integrated circuits (“ICs”) that have been designed for consumer applications are intended for use in automotive applications, they are usually qualified according to the Automotive Electronics Council’s (AEC-Q100) qualification requirements. AEC-Q100 however, just covers minimum common requirements for the qualification of an automotive IC. Many car companies and tier one automotive suppliers require extensive additional qualification tests, as AEC-Q100 alone does not lead to the ultra low defect rates that they require. In addition, AEC-Q100 primarily focuses on the qualification phase of the product cycle of an IC. Other phases such as the design and production of the IC, customer support and the handling and investigation of returns are not covered in detail. In order to reach the automotive goal of near zero defect rates, all phases of the IC product cycle need to be addressed thoroughly.

TrueAuto is SMSC’s proven total approach to true automotive-grade quality. TrueAuto robustness begins with SMSC’s design for reliability techniques within the silicon IC itself. Automotive-grade excellence and testability are designed into the IC. The IC is fully characterized over many operating parameters to prove the quality of the design under various conditions. Also, product qualification is focused on the most demanding customer expectations. It meets or exceeds automotive reliability standards and customer specific requirements. SMSC’s TrueAuto approach goes far beyond the stress tests prescribed by the AEC-Q100 specifications. In addition, extensive technologies and processes, such as enhanced monitors are used in fabrication of TrueAuto products in order to continuously drive improvements in accordance with SMSC’s zero Defects per Million (DPM) goals.

About SMSC

SMSC is a leading developer of Smart Mixed-Signal Connectivity™ solutions. SMSC employs a unique systems level approach that incorporates a broad set of technologies and intellectual property to deliver differentiating products to its customers. The company is focused on delivering connectivity solutions that enable the proliferation of data in personal computers, automobiles, portable consumer devices and other applications. SMSC’s feature-rich products drive a number of industry standards and include USB, MOST^Ž automotive networking, embedded system control and analog solutions, including thermal management and RightTouch™ capacitive sensing.

SMSC is headquartered in New York and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Additional information is available at www.smsc.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this announcement are forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial and operating results that involve risks and uncertainties. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different from those discussed in forward-looking statements. Our risks and uncertainties include the timely development and market acceptance of new products; the impact of competitive products and pricing; our ability to procure capacity from our suppliers and the timely performance of their obligations, commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange, potential investment losses as a result of liquidity conditions, the effects of changing economic and political conditions in the market domestically and internationally and on our customers; our relationships with and dependence on customers and growth rates in the personal computer, consumer electronics and embedded and automotive markets and within our sales channel; changes in customer order patterns, including order cancellations or reduced bookings; the effects of tariff, import and currency regulation; potential or actual litigation; and excess or obsolete inventory and variations in inventory valuation, among others. In addition, SMSC competes in the semiconductor industry, which has historically been characterized by intense competition, rapid technological change, cyclical market patterns, price erosion and periods of mismatched supply and demand.

Our forward looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations and may not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers or divestitures. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and are based upon the information available to SMSC at this time. Such statements are subject to change, and the Company does not undertake to update such statements, except to the extent required under applicable law and regulation. These and other risks and uncertainties, including potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, are detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC. Investors are advised to read the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those sections entitled “Other Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results” or “Risk Factors” for a more complete discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.

SMSC, MOST and flexPWR are registered trademarks and Smart Mixed-Signal Connectivity, TrueAuto and RightTouch are trademarks of Standard Microsystems Corporation.