SigmaTel Announces the Rapid Development Initiative -RDI- for C-Major Audio Codec Implementation

Business Wire, Sept 21, 2003

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Computex 2003

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 21, 2003

Focusing on Universal Jacks(TM) Technology in the

AC'97 and Azalia Intel Specifications

SigmaTel, Inc., (Nasdaq:SGTL) a leading provider of AC'97 audio codecs to the PC market, announces RDI, or Rapid Development Initiative, allowing real-time setup and configuration of Universal Jacks(TM) technologies. By focusing on delivering quick system and driver utilities, the RDI strategy improves deployment of AC'97 2.3+ and future Azalia audio-based PC systems. RDI is designed for engineers with an emphasis on improving time to market and easing of implementation.

SigmaTel's RDI is another major step in the deployment of Universal Jacks(TM) technology within both AC'97 and Azalia. RDI enables developers to obtain logoed drivers earlier and greatly reduces the need to re-logo drivers as configuration changes are made. It also allows 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 advanced Azalia technologies.

The Intel Azalia standard, first announced at IDF Spring 2003 and set to launch in 2004, is 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, Internet phone communications as well as 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's success."

SigmaTel RDI support is now available directly from the C-Major support team or in conjunction with support from SigmaTel Field Applications Engineers (FAEs). 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 another step toward supporting the market's adoption of Universal Jacks 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." 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. 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, 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, light-weight, 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.