Business Services Industry

Toshiba ASICs Power Internet Units for WebTV Network Service

Business Wire, June 7, 1999

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 1999--

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) today released details of its ASIC technology used in WebTV(R) Classic and Plus service Internet units which connect to the Microsoft(R) WebTV Networks(TM) receivers service.

These WebTV Internet receiver units integrate television and the Internet, providing viewers access to enriched content and a personalized television experience. Toshiba's ASICs enable the Internet units to take graphic-rich information directly off the Internet and translate it into a format that can be viewed on a standard television.

"We couldn't have asked for a more capable partner," said Tim Bucher, vice president of consumer products for WebTV Networks, Inc. "Toshiba's design and manufacturing expertise are key in enabling WebTV to deliver interactive television. They helped us increase the performance and capabilities of our design, and turned it around quickly to enable us to take advantage of an expanding market."

"Toshiba understands both the business and technology requirements of the set-top box market," said Peter Richmond, director of SLI business development at TAEC. "Designers are constrained by cost and performance requirements, as well as time to market issues. Combining our process technology, Timing-Driven Flow (TDF(TM)) methodology and manufacturing expertise with WebTV Networks' excellent advanced designs has resulted in products that far exceed projected performance and time-to-market expectations. We're delighted to continue our relationship with WebTV Networks, providing ASICs of increasing levels of integration for these and future designs."

The WebTV Networks Plus service Internet receiver includes an ASIC from Toshiba based on the embedded array technology, while the Classic service receiver includes an ASIC based on Toshiba's standard cell technology. Developed using Toshiba's TDF methodology, these ASICs required substantially fewer engineering change orders (ECOs) and saved months in the design process. In addition, they offer performance that exceeds the original specifications due to TDF design efficiencies.

Each ASIC integrates an analog phase lock loop (PLL), three 10-bit DACs, several blocks of high-speed, true dual-port SRAM, and WebTV's logic in a 352-pin (used in the WebTV Classic) or a 420-pin (used in the WebTV Plus), low-cost tape ball grid array (TBGA) package.

The 62 micron pad pitch TBGA package is a cost effective solution which provides better thermal performance characteristics than a traditional plastic BGA package. The ASICs used in WebTV's Internet receivers are evidence of Toshiba's capabilities to serve the digital consumer market with technology that gets customers to market fast with cost-effective solutions.

About TAEC

Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC) is the North American engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales arm of Toshiba Semiconductor Company and Display Devices and Components Company. TAEC is recognized as one of the world's largest suppliers of semiconductor, electronic component and storage solutions. Toshiba's Semiconductor Company is one of the world's leading manufacturers and suppliers of semiconductor products including LSIs, microprocessors and controllers, and advanced memory products, in addition to discrete and bipolar components.

The company is also responsible for global sales and marketing of other major electronic components including liquid crystal displays, color display and picture tubes, lithium-ion and other secondary batteries. For additional information, please visit TAEC's web site at http://www.toshiba.com/taec.> Note to Editors: Reader inquiries please publish 800/879-4963, ext. 217

TDF is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation.

Microsoft and WebTV are registered trademarks, and WebTV Networks is a trademark of Microsoft Corp.