IBM PowerPC Chip Selected for Use in Set-Top Boxes to be Manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics

Business Wire, Nov 6, 1995

FISHKILL, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 1995--One of IBM's PowerPC chips has been selected as the processing heart of a wireless set-top box with the potential to sell in the millions, the company announced today.

The set-top box, a device that allows home viewers to receive a wide choice of channels on their televisions, will be manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics of Indianapolis, Ind.

The chip selected by Thomson is one of IBM's PowerPC 400 series of 32-bit microcontrollers, developed by IBM's Microelectronics Division at its PowerPC design center in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

Such microcontrollers are special-purpose devices found in an increasingly wide range of consumer, communications and data processing equipment.

These "invisible computers" can undertake tasks that range from controlling the functions of an office printer or copier, to helping regulate the temperature of a refrigerator or a room, making it possible to scan groceries at a checkout counter, or letting customers draw money from an automated cash dispenser, to name but a few of the many applications springing to life today. They also are found in mobile and home telephones, the family car and many other devices where the power and compactness of electronics can automate and simplify numerous tasks.

"This design win strengthens our growing position in today's highly visible consumer market," said Ron Tessitore, manager of the microelectronic division's PowerPC Embedded Processor Solutions group. -0-

For Internet information on the PowerPC 400 family: http://www.chips.ibm.com

CONTACT: IBM Microelectronics Division, Fishkill

Cary B. Ziter, 914/892-5305