Crystal Semiconductor Announces AC '97 Compliant Audio Codec; PCI-Based Audio Solution Brings High-Quality Audio To Emerging Multimedia Applications

Business Wire, April 8, 1997

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 1997--Crystal Semiconductor Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cirrus Logic Inc. (NASDAQ:CRUS), today introduced its CS4297 mixed-signal AC '97 audio codec, the newest member in its SoundFusion(TM) family of advanced PCI audio products.

This announcement, made here at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC), establishes Crystal as the first major supplier of an AC '97-compliant audio codec and aligns the company with Intel Corporation to expedite the transition of audio from ISA to PCI.

As consumers continue to demand more immersive, full-featured sound reproduction, Crystal's AC '97 solution paves the way for PC '97-compliant desktop, portable, and entertainment PCs with cost-effective, high-quality audio. The CS4297 sets the stage for such emerging audio standards as Dolby AC-3 Group 'B' and will help drive the convergence of the PC and entertainment industries.

The Intel-driven AC '97 initiative allows for the modular development of future PC sound systems while reducing design time through a standardized serial interface and register set. Using the CS4297, the audio subsystem can be designed as a stand-alone "island" of analog functionality that requires minimal board space.

This allows the design to be isolated from contaminating digital noise for the highest possible sound quality. Moreover, this approach enables the "island" to be quickly replicated within any desktop or portable PC design, thus speeding overall time to market.

According to Jim Moore, vice president and general manager of Crystal's Computer Products Division, "Our new AC '97-compliant codec supports our aggressive strategy to deliver superior audio quality solutions by leveraging our world-class engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities and our strong partnership with Intel.

"Our expertise and proven technology allowed us to deliver the CS4297 to market in record time, enabling the launch of next generation applications in the industry."

"AC '97 codec solutions, such as Crystal's, are a key ingredient in moving towards the vision laid out in Intel's Audio '98 roadmap," said Dan Russell, marketing director for Intel Corporation's Platform Marketing Group. "Crystal's solution delivers high-performance and audio quality, while reducing system size, cost structure and power consumption in Intel Architecture PCs."

The CS4297, when coupled with a PCI audio accelerator such as Crystal's recently announced CS4610, implements a cost-effective, high-quality, full-featured audio solution. The CS4297 serial codec and CS4610 PCI audio accelerator are the first members in the company's SoundFusion family of advanced PCI audio products for new multimedia PC designs.

Years of expertise in mixed-signal design have enabled Crystal to develop the CS4297 to meet the highest-quality standard, 90 dB signal-to-noise ratio, as defined in the AC '97 spec. The product includes 18-bit stereo digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), that have become standard in many types of consumer digital audio equipment.

Additionally, the device features comprehensive input mixing facilities for a variety of stereo and mono sound sources.

Crystal's advanced chips take direct aim at consumer PC applications, such as advanced 3D gaming and DVD content playback, now being designed into systems for the 1997 Christmas season. The CS4297 and CS4610, when combined with Crystal's application and driver software support, accelerates advanced functions such as 3D positioning and Dolby AC-3 under Microsoft DirectSound(TM), DirectSound3D(TM) and ActiveMovie(TM) APIs.

Pricing/Availability

The CS4297 mixed-signal serial codec is currently sampling with production quantities set for July 1997. The device is available in a 48-pin TQFP package and is priced at $7.50 in 10K quantities.

Crystal Semiconductor, headquartered in Austin, Texas, designs, manufactures and markets advanced analog and digital integrated circuits for applications in the multimedia, telecommunications, data communications, consumer audio, data conversion and signal acquisition markets. Crystal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cirrus Logic Inc.

Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics markets. The company applies its system-level expertise in analog and digital design to innovate highly integrated, software-rich solutions. Cirrus Logic's broad portfolio of products and technologies focus on multimedia, communications and mass storage.

Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries may be accessed on the World Wide Web at http://www.cirrus.com/ or via fax-on-demand at 800/359-6414 (dial 510/249-4200 from outside the United States). -0-

Note to Editors: All trademarks noted herein are registered to their respective owners.

CONTACT: Crystal Semiconductor Corp.