Integrated Sensor Solutions, Inc.'s Low Power Chip Selected
10 June 1998
Integrated Sensor Solutions, Inc.'s Low Power Chip Selected for Residential Propane Gas Meters in Japan
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 9 -- Integrated Sensor Solutions, Inc.
"ISS" today announced that it has begun shipping its latest
state-of-the-art, low power, signal conditioning Application Specific
Integrated Circuit (ASIC) for incorporation in next generation residential
propane gas meters. This device was developed for Nagano Keiki Co. of Tokyo,
Japan, (Nagano) a leading supplier of sensor and data acquisition systems.
Nagano has been selected to supply its sensor sub-assemblies to major gas
meter companies in Japan. This chip represents the first of three chips being
developed by ISS for next generation gas meters for residential applications.
This ASIC is a low power CMOS mixed signal device with on-board EEPROM
memory. It is used by Nagano in a pressure sensor to monitor the propane line
pressure. The pressure sensor serves a dual role -- to monitor the line
pressure and also to detect fine gas leaks. In order to accomplish both
functions, the ASIC must have very wide dynamic range. The sensor exhibits a
change in capacitance in proportion to the applied pressure. The ASIC converts
this change in capacitance to an analog voltage, converts the analog signal
into a digital signal Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), a digital signal
processor for error correction and calibration, and has a digital output
consisting of a pulse train. The ASIC operates from a 2.2-Volt supply and
consumes only 15 micro amps of supply current, enabling the system to meet the
10-year battery life requirement. The ASIC is capable of filtering external
electrical noise thus allowing the sensor to detect very low signals
representing minute gas leaks.
"This program represents potential sales of 10-15 million chip sets over
next 3-5 years," stated Manher Naik, President and CEO of ISS. "We are
continuing our penetration of the industrial market to complement our growing
automotive business. Our technology has demonstrated the capabilities to
stretch the limits of sensor and system performance."
ISS designs, manufactures and markets high performance, intelligent sensor
products that are used in electronic control systems by customers in the
automotive and industrial markets. The Company's products are application
specific integrated circuits ("ASICs") and integrated sensor devices ("ISDs").
The Company's initial focus on automotive applications has resulted in its
products being designed into a broad range of electronic control systems such
as fuel injection, tire pressure, engine control, air bag, suspension and
brake systems. While continuing its efforts to further penetrate the
automotive market, the Company has leveraged its technology to develop
products that address high volume industrial applications including utility
gas meters, refrigeration, air conditioning and process control systems.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 625 River Oaks
Parkway, San Jose, California 95134, and the Company maintains manufacturing
facilities in San Jose California and Dresden, Germany. The Company's
telephone number is 408-324-1044, and its facsimile number is 408-324-1054.
The Company maintains a web site at http://www.intellisens.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the
Company's beliefs and intentions that involve risks and uncertainties. The
Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in such
forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in product yields,
changes in customer demands, changes in product requirements, risks associated
with international operations and other risks discussed in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its
Registration Statement on Form SB-2, as last amended on March 13, 1998.