Avance Logic Demonstrates a Highly-integrated, Plug and Play Sound Chip at COMDEX '95

Business Wire, Nov 2, 1995

FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1995--Avance Logic, Inc. will be demonstrating a new, innovative, audio ASIC, the ALS100, at COMDEX '95 November 13-17.

The ALS100 is a breakthrough in cost-efficient, Plug and Play design. It is an ideal audio solution for add-in sound board suppliers and OEMs.

The ALS100, and its low voltage version, the ALS100L, are Avance Logic's first entrants into the PC audio market. Avance Logic has a broad line of graphics products, and has shipped volume quantities of graphics and video accelerators for ISA, VESA Local Bus and PCI Local Bus since early 1992. The ALS100 rounds out Avance Logic's complete multimedia product line of graphics, video and sound ASICS.

"Integrated audio is quickly becoming a standard feature in today's personal computers", said Michael Harris, Director of Sales and Marketing for Avance Logic. "The ALS100 combines Plug and Play capabilities with full duplex operation and a 16-bit stereo CODEC to provide OEMs and add-in card suppliers with a cost effective audio system".

An audio system designed around the ALS100 requires an overall chip count of two, as compared to other offerings that require seven or eight chips to achieve the same functions. This reduces the overall product cost and the sourcing costs associated with dealing with multiple vendors. Additionally, reliability and compatiblility are increased by reducing the number of components associated with the building of the PC audio subsystem. The ALS100 is packaged in an industry standard 100-pin PQFP, and the ALS100L in a 100-pin TQFP.

The 16-bit ALS100 incorporates system control logic for Plug and Play features, an additional IDE CD-ROM controller, an internal D/A for a music synthesizer, a stereo CODEC for Sound Blaster emulation, and an internal MIDI port and game port.

The ALS100's Plug and Play capability reduces users' installation problems. "Currently, the majority of sound cards are returned by users because of set-up problems" noted Harris. "The increase in home PC sales and the Windows 95 operating system make Plug and Play chips a necessity for user-friendly installations".

The ALS100 is superior to much of its competition because it will play applications written in the Sound Blaster 16 format without any loss in quality (true 16-bit sound). Many audio controllers do not emulate Sound Blaster 16, and thereby reduce the audio quality of these applications to 8-bit sound.

Software games and applications written for Sound Blaster 16, Sound Blaster Pro, AdLib, and Microsoft Windows Sound System are compatible with the ALS100. Additional compatibility modes include Roland MPU-401 UART to support a MIDI port and a joystick game port. External support is built into the ALS100 for the standard Yamaha OPL3 FM and OPL4 wavetable synthesis chips. The ALS100 also supports CD-ROM interfaces from Sony, Mitsumi, Panasonic, and ATAPI IDE CD-ROM devices. SCSI CD-ROM support is included with the use of an externally supported SCSI controller chip.

The ALS100 chip comes with software drivers that support PC stereo audio under Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows NT, OS/2 Warp, DOS, and the Windows Sound System.

The ALS100 chip's manufacturing schedule calls for production in January, 1996 with samples available to larger OEM customers in November, 1995. The ALS100 is being offered to OEM customers at under $13 in large quantities.

Avance Logic Inc., headquartered in Fremont, CA, is a privately held U.S. producer of high-performance, integrated circuit components for IBM PC-compatible adapter boards.. Avance Logic's low-cost multimedia ASIC devices are available through a worldwide network of sales offices and Manufacturer's Representatives. -0- Note to Editors: All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Avance Logic Inc.

Michael Harris, 510/226-9555

or

Neutron (Germany)

Siegfried Link, 8022-83752