Scaler ICs From STMicroelectronics Offer Rich Features for Business and Multimedia Projectors

Business Wire, June 7, 2002

Business Editors

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 7, 2002

Fully Integrated Scalers Will Drastically Cut the Interface BOM of

Projectors; Debut of New Technology From STMicroelectronics in a DLP

Projector Reference Design At the Projection Industry Summit

Conference in Las Vegas, June 10-11, 2002

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has introduced two new system-on-chip ICs for use in business and multimedia projectors.

The ADE 3500X and ADE 3600X scalers are fully integrated, thus eliminating the need for external components and simplifying the PCB design. Potential customers could save up to $50 on each projector built using the ADE parts rather than a competitor's, according to STMicroelectronics estimates.

The ADE 3500X part has an integrated triple 9-bit 140MHz ADC/PLL allowing for a direct-to-chip analog signal and supports SVGA, XGA and SXGA resolutions. In addition to an integrated 140MHz ADC/PLL, the ADE3600X part also includes a 140MHz Secure DVI receiver for a direct to chip DVI input and supports SVGA, XGA and SXGA resolutions. Both parts also offer a YUV digital video interface that is compliant to the CCIR 656 standard and supports all major decoders.

Both scaler ICs use STMicroelectronics' Perfect Color technology, a programmable color-space converter supporting the new sRGB color standard, which allows for precise color matching from PC to projector. Other proprietary technologies applied to these ICs include context-sensitive filtering. This offers programmable context-sensitive multi-tap scaling filters that allow for independently programmable text sharpness and graphics smoothness for the best image quality.

As part of its image manipulation features, the ICs offer digital keystone correction, to compensate for situations when the projector is pointed up or down at an angle. The technology will handle a /-30-degree vertical keystone correction, and will precisely `square up' the image. The parts also feature a fast, one-second auto-setup that immediately optimizes the phase, position, level and clock without user intervention. "With these new products, we intend to extend our technology into new markets and bring a low cost alternative to the projection market, while keeping the same high standard of image quality that the projection market demands," said Eric Aussedat, General Manager of ST's Display and Television Division.

The parts are built in a 0.18(mu)m process and packaged in a 208-pin PQFP. Output formats for the scaler ICs are programmable and support SVGA, XGA and SXGA resolutions. The parts are compatible with Texas Instruments' DLP(TM) (Digital Light Processing) micro displays. A reference design has been developed using Texas Instruments' latest DLP technology. The projector reference design is available for evaluation from STMicroelectronics.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics, the world's third largest semiconductor company, is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2001, the Company's net revenues were $6.36 billion and net earnings were $257.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

DLP(TM) is a trademark of Texas Instruments