EPSON and Alchemy Semiconductor Partner to Provide High-End Chipset for Internet Device Market

Business Wire, April 9, 2001

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

Embedded Systems Conference

Booth 1134

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2001

EPSON LCD Low-Power Controllers Chosen for Alchemy Semiconductor

Reference Designs

EPSON Research and Development Inc. (ERD), the world market leader in embedded graphics LCD controllers, announced today that its LCD controllers are featured on Alchemy Semiconductor's reference designs and evaluation boards targeted for the Internet device market.

The first of their evaluation boards, Alchemy's Pb1000(TM), features the Alchemy Au1000(TM) processor and EPSON's S1D13506 color LCD/CRT/TV controller. The Au1000 is a high performance, low power, high integration, system-on-chip (SOC) based on the MIPS32(TM) instruction set.

EPSON's controller is designed to meet the low cost and power dissipation requirements of the embedded market and features a 2D accelerator. The combination of the two devices provides a high performance, lower power solution for OEM customers.

"Alchemy's focus on offering products designed for high performance, low power consumption complements EPSON's similar commitment to 'Energy Saving'," said Brett Cheng, vice president, EPSON Research and Development. "We recognize the significance of offering customers the benefits of Au1000's speed-to-power ratio along with the latest in EPSON's LCD technology."

Alchemy's Pb1000 has a built-in bus interface that directly supports EPSON's family of LCD controllers. This gives OEM customers the ability to select their controller based on their graphics needs and cost requirements. EPSON's controllers provide enhanced flexibility and display quality, driving all LCD panel types including monochrome, color STN and TFT.

"We included the EPSON LCD controllers in our evaluation boards in response to direct customer requests," said Eric Broockman, president and CEO, Alchemy Semiconductor. "By incorporating the bus interface for the EPSON LCD controllers in the Au1000, we can offer a highly competitive two-chipset solution for OEMs looking for high speed color graphic support that doesn't sacrifice battery life."

Alchemy's Au1000/Pb1000(TM) will be displayed at EPSON's and Alchemy's booth during the Spring 2001 Embedded Systems Conference in San Francisco, EPSON Booth No. 1134 and Alchemy Booth No. 2830.

About Alchemy Semiconductors

Founded in Austin, Texas, in 1999, Alchemy Semiconductor is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets high performance, low power, high integration systems-on-a-chip (SOC) for the Internet Edge Device market: Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) products, including both wireless hand-held enterprise PDAs and remote Internet access products; Internet infrastructure products, such as routers and line cards.

The company's founding team includes several of the most prominent embedded microprocessor architects and developers in the world, allowing for a combination of proven design execution and MIPS performance technology to achieve high performance, low power dissipation and systems integration in its Internet Edge Processors.

Alchemy's headquarters are at 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 222W, Austin, Texas 78757; or go to www.alchemysemi.com.

About EPSON Research and Development Inc.

EPSON Research and Development's Vancouver Design Center is a leader in the development of LCD controller integrated circuits and software.

As part of the EPSON family of companies, and in keeping with EPSON's emphasis and reputation as a quality supplier of low power semiconductors, the Vancouver Design Center's focus is on developing the world's best low power LCD graphics controller chips for customers designing mobile and embedded systems products.

For further information on Epson's LCD controller products, visit EPSON Research and Development on the Web at www.erd.EPSON.com. For sales information, visit EPSON Electronics America on the Web at www.eea.EPSON.com.

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