Atmel Introduces Secure Programmable System Level Integration Circuits; New security feature enables intellectual property protection for Programmable Logic

Business Wire, Oct 12, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2000

Atmel Corporation (Nasdaq:ATML) introduced the industry's first secure in-system-reprogrammable (ISP) Field Programmable System Level Integration Circuits (secure FPSLIC(TM)). This family of devices will enable systems designers to use SRAM-based programmable logic in applications requiring the ability to protect the intellectual property content.

This new capability offers a level of security and capability not available in other SRAM based Programmable SLi products by combining on-chip communication logic with the addition of a built-in security option. Until now the only choice for secure programmable devices was to use less flexible, one-time programmable anti-fuse devices. The in-system programmability and security of the Atmel devices enables hardware and software changes, reduced inventory costs, lower design risk, faster time to market and lower manufacturing costs.

"This is the first time a programmable Sli solution is available that offers the combined benefits of both SRAM and anti-fuse based products," according to Martin Mason, Programmable Sli Marketing Manager for Atmel. "Designers no-longer have to compromise between a secure, non-volatile solution and a fast, re-programmable SRAM based solution -- now they can have both. Security has become a priority, as copying of programmable logic configuration code is an increasing problem for users of programmable logic devices. The configuration code stored in a programmable logic device is analogous to the program code of a microcontroller. Significant investment has been made in the intellectual property stored in these devices and protecting that intellectual property is a significant concern of customers in the telecom, networking and industrial control application areas. Copying of designs in no long just the domain of consumer electronics."

"With the emerging class of System Level programmable products with embedded processors, such as our new AVR(R) based FPSLIC products, it is imperative that Atmel provide a mechanism to make customer's code secure. Experience from our market leading position in (non-volatile memory) flash-based microcontrollers showed the combination of in-system programmability and security would be important in the new programmable system-on-chip market. Atmel establishes a first in offering security and in-system programming in a single package." Mason concluded.

Availability -- Secure versions of the AT94K family of FPSLIC devices will be sampling in Q4, 2000 with production volumes available starting Q1, 2001.

About AT94S Field Programmable System Level Integration Circuits

(FPSLIC)

FPSLIC brings the benefits of Programmability to System-on-Chip design. The programmable secure SRAM based AT94S FPSLIC device family integrates all the major building blocks required for a system level design -- up to 40,000 gates of Atmel's AT40K (Field Programmable Gate Array) with FreeRAMTM, 30 MIPS AVR(R) RISC processor, 32 Kbytes of program SRAM memory, 4K of Data SRAM memory and frequently used on chip peripherals such as UARTs, timer/counters, an industry standard 2-wire serial bus and a hardware multiplier. Additional peripherals can be created in the FPGA and mapped directly in the address space of the microcontroller. The entire device is SRAM-based, allowing both the instruction set for the microcontroller and the hardware code for the FPGA to be reconfigured in-system, any number of times, either during development, production, or remotely at the end-customer site.

About Atmel

Founded in 1984, Atmel Corporation is headquartered in San Jose, California, with manufacturing facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Irving, Texas; Grenoble, Nantes and Rousset France; and Heilbronn, Germany. Atmel designs, manufactures and markets on a worldwide basis advanced logic, mixed-signal, non-volatile memory, and RF semiconductors. Atmel is also a leading provider of system level integration semiconductor solutions using advanced CMOS, BiCMOS, Bipolar and SiGe process technologies.

Atmel product and financial information are available from its Fax-on-Demand service. In North America call 1-800-292-8635 or Internationally, call 1-408-441-0732. Requests may be made via e-mail to literature@atmel.com or by visiting Atmel's web site at www.atmel.com.

Atmel, the Atmel logo and combinations thereof and others contained herein, are trademarks of Atmel Corporation. Terms and product names in this document may be the trademarks of others.