SigmaTel Announces the Rapid Development Initiative for C-Major Audio Codec Implementation; Focusing on Universal Jacks Technology in the AC'97 and Azalia Intel Specifications

Business Wire, Sept 16, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Intel Developer Forum 2003

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2003

SigmaTel Inc., a leading provider of AC'97 audio codecs to the PC market, announces RDI, or Rapid Development Initiative. RDI allows real-time setup and configuration of Universal Jacks(tm) technologies and focuses on delivering quick system and driver utilities and strategy to current AC'97 2.3+ and to future Azalia audio standards. Designed for system designers with an emphasis on improving time-to-market and easy implementation.

SigmaTel has undertaken another major step in the deployment of Universal Jacks(tm) technology within both AC'97 and Azalia by implementing what it calls RDI, or Rapid Development Initiative. RDI will enable developers to obtain logoed drivers earlier and greatly reduce the need to re-logo drivers as configuration changes are made. It will also allow in-house technical teams to rapidly reconfigure hardware without the back-and-forth configurations of existing driver deployment methods. The SigmaTel Universal Jacks(tm) extension of the current AC'97 2.3 is an early deployment of advance Azalia technologies.

The Intel Azalia standard, first announced at IDF Spring 2003 and set to launch in 2004 is defined as a significant upgrade and replacement of current AC'97 technologies. This new specification will enable increased functionality of audio, modem and communications, targeting mainstream PCs as well as PC-based consumer electronics such as digital video/audio set-top devices. Features of the Azalia audio specification will enable DVD audio, streaming video and Internet phone communications and auto switching and detection of audio devices.

"The Rapid Development Initiative being offered by SigmaTel will make audio design implementation easier for developers and will help to accelerate the adoption of the Azalia standards," says Thomas Loza, Intel Technology Initiatives manager. "With SigmaTel's track record and product offerings, this initiative becomes an important aspect of Azalia success."

SigmaTel RDI support can be utilized now directly from the C-Major(tm) support team or in conjunction with support from SigmaTel Field Applications Engineers (FAE). A Rapid Development Kit (RDK) is scheduled for release in October 2003, which will enable do-it-yourself developers to quickly implement C-Major audio codec solutions.

"RDI is yet another step toward the market's adoption of Universal Jacks(tm) and Azalia next-generation audio standards," states Alan Hansford, vice president of marketing at SigmaTel. "For standards to improve, customers need easy access to utilities and methodologies that will improve their time-to-market."

About Universal Jacks(tm):

At IDF Spring 2002, SigmaTel introduced an AC'97 2.3 audio codec, the STAC9752, which featured internal analog jack sensing. This functionality allowed a system to detect and inform the user when an audio jack was configured incorrectly. In the summer of 2002, through input from Intel and Microsoft, SigmaTel wrote the first concept initiative for allowing a system to detect and auto-configure the audio jacks, and hence coined the term "Universal Jacks(tm)." At IDF Fall 2002, SigmaTel introduced and successfully demonstrated the first audio Codec with Universal Jacks(tm) functionality, the STAC9758. At IDF Spring 2003, Intel and its partners were in the initial process of defining Azalia, the next-generation audio standard. Universal Jacks(tm), which was highly regarded, was placed on the standard's feature list and was used within the Intel concept platform Powersville 2004 demonstration, which featured dual STAC9758 codecs with Universal Jacks(tm). C-Major hardware and software were used in this demonstration to illustrate the functionality of the future Azalia specification.

About C-Major:

C-Major(tm) audio codec solutions provide the highest audio performance for PCs and digital home entertainment systems. SigmaTel's reputation as a market leader in high-quality audio codecs is based on a long line of codecs for the PC with better than 100 dB Signal-to-Noise Ratio. C-Major offers advanced features, including Universal Jacks(tm), and covers a range of audio solutions using integrated and software technologies. SigmaTel C-Major is committed to providing the customer with strong support and customization for all audio development.

About SigmaTel:

SigmaTel Inc., a fabless semiconductor company headquartered in Austin, Texas, designs, develops and markets proprietary, analog intensive, mixed-signal ICs for a variety of products in the consumer electronics and computing markets, including portable compressed audio players, such as MP3 players, notebook and desktop PCs, DVD players, digital televisions and set-top boxes. We provide our customers complete, system-level solutions that include highly integrated ICs, customizable firmware and software, software development tools, reference designs and applications support. Our focus on providing system-level solutions enables our customers to rapidly introduce and offer electronic products that are small, lightweight, power efficient, reliable and cost effective. SigmaTel is ISO 9001:2000 certified and is committed to providing customers with high-performance, quality products along with superior customer service.