USAR Juno-TM In New Compaq Aero-R 8000 Handheld PC

Business Wire, July 19, 1999

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 19, 1999--

USAR Juno(TM) H/PC Companion IC Controls Input Device, Power

Management and System-related Functions

USAR Systems, a leading producer of input device and power management electronics, announces today that the USAR Juno(TM) H/PC companion IC has been integrated into the design of the Compaq Aero(R) 8000, from Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ). The Aero(R) 8000 is Compaq's first Windows CE-based handheld PC Professional (H/PC Pro) device. The USAR Juno(TM) controls input device, power management and other system-related functions.

The USAR Juno(TM) consumes the least amount of power of any embedded controller-type companion IC on the market - less than 1 uA. For input device connections, it provides proprietary Zero-Power(TM) PS/2 ports that allow the companion IC to power down even when external devices are connected and active. These features, coupled with the single IC's advanced power management functionality, help account for the superior battery life of the Compaq Aero(R) 8000.

According to Ben Williams, Director, North America Displays & Peripherals Product Marketing, Compaq Computer Corp., "The integration of the USAR Juno(TM) multi-functional companion IC into the Compaq Aero(R) 8000 has helped us to provide corporate customers truly enhanced battery life, using standard rechargeable batteries."

The USAR Juno(TM) series all include programmable control of an 8 X 16 keyboard matrix which supports English, Japanese and European keyboards. Series members include devices that provide built-in control of a resistive touch pad, touch screen or USAR PixiPoint(TM) pointing stick. USAR's Juno(TM) is equipped with USAR's proprietary protocol developed specifically for WinCE machines. It interfaces the system via either asynchronous serial or the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI).

"USAR is pleased to be a part of a device that so clearly meets the needs of the mobile workforce," says Ellen Gooch, USAR's Marketing Programs Manager. "Creating products, like the USAR Juno(TM), that improves system power performance and provides input device and other features necessary to mobile systems is one of our central missions."

Evaluation kits for the USAR Juno(TM), including those with integrated pointing devices are available starting at $300. Datasheets, technical reference manuals and samples are also available.

USAR Systems designs and produces Human Input Device (HID) electronics and System Management products. HID products include pre-programmed ICs for keyboards, mice, touch screens, etc., as well as complete embedded mouse modules for OEM integration. Power management products include ACPI-compliant embedded controllers with integrated keyboard and other HID functionality, including USAR's ACPITroller(TM) II. Geared chiefly to the portable and hand-held market, USAR holds patents on several low-power implementation methods, providing ICs with the lowest power consumption available.

For more information about USAR's products, please contact Customer Support at 212.226.2042, e-mail info@usar.com or visit USAR's web site at www.usar.com.

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