Cirrus Logic Debuts Voyager ChipSet in New Apple Newton-Based Platforms
CUPERTINO, Calif. — October 28, 1996 — Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) announced today that its new Voyager Chipset will provide significant functionality in the next-generation Newton-based platforms being unveiled today by Apple Computer, Inc. First in a family of chipsets highly optimized for Apple's Newton operating system, Voyager has been designed into Apple's MessagePad 2000, the first in a new generation of hand-held, mobile Internet computers and the eMate 300, the first of a new class of low-cost mobile computers for education computing markets.
In both Newton-based products, the Voyager four-chipset provides all of the digital subsystem control, the analog peripheral control functions, PCMCIA control, and infrared wireless communications required by the system. Voyager is the industry's first chipset to support the StrongARM microprocessor, which provides the processing power in the MessagePad 2000; an ARM710 microprocessor delivers the processing power for the eMate 300.
While Cirrus Logic has been instrumental in developing technologies for the PC market and extending those technologies to new arenas outside of that domain, Voyager marks a key milestone in the Company's on-going program to support innovative mobile computer platforms. Earlier this year, Cirrus Logic announced its intent to extend its core technologies beyond personal computers. The development of Voyager for both Internet and education in Newton-based environments is another example of Cirrus Logic's strategy to supply leading-edge products and technologies to emerging markets.
"The Voyager architecture represents a new direction for Cirrus Logic," said George Alexy, senior vice president of Cirrus Logic. "Our ability to expand our product influence to non-traditional PC markets underscores the distinctive competency and extensibility of our analog and digital technology. Voyager, a combination of core technologies from cross-functional design teams within Cirrus Logic, is the first in a family of devices that blend low system cost, low power consumption, and a small footprint with the high-performance and functional flexibility that mobile applications demand."
The MessagePad 2000, which incorporates one of the first implementations of the new 160 MHz StrongARM processor from Digital Equipment Corp., is a high-performance, hand-held Internet/intranet appliance that can access both email and the World Wide Web, and has the ability to integrate with both Windows- and Macintosh-based desktops. Preconfigured with a number of application software packages for the business professional, the MessagePad 2000 integrates a host of hardware functions with the speed of the Newton 2.1 operating system, made possible by the StrongARM's high computing power.
Apple's eMate 300 is a low-cost, lightweight, Newton-based product that takes direct aim at distributed learning environments for education and is small enough to fit in a student's backpack. Featuring a rugged clamshell design with steel chassis and a large, backlit LCD display for both indoor and outdoor use, eMate has an extended battery life of up to 28 continuous hours before recharging. The unit has a number of connectivity options that enable it to communicate with other computers in distributed computing environments.
The Voyager Chip Set provides significant functionality and performance to these Newton-based products, based on its four chips: CL-PS7010 CPU Subsystem Controller; CL-PS7020 Analog Controller; CL-PS7030 PCMCIA Controller, and CS8130 Infrared Transceiver. This quartet provides the new Apple products with commonly used functions of traditional desktop personal computers and the added flexibility of high-connectivity, mobile computers.
Both the MessagePad and eMate products were developed to interact with desktop servers and the Internet through the Voyager chipset and the Newton operating system.
The PS7010 Subsystem Controller supplies all of the functions required by the CPU in both the MessagePad and eMate platforms. This device supports single/dual scan LCD panels at 3.3V and 5V and up to 640×480 resolution with up to 16 levels of gray scales. The chip also integrates eight DMA channels and a programmable memory controller for MROM, DRAM, Flash and serial EEPROM devices. Four serial ports, a real-time clock, timers, and an interrupt controller are also integrated.
All of the analog functions of the new Newton products are handled by Cirrus Logic's PS7020 controller. This highly optimized device incorporates a pen digitizer and touch-pad interface, a battery and temperature monitor, audio record and playback functionality, and clock generator. This chip enables the computers to easily interface to microphones, speakers, headsets, modems, and other analog peripherals to add greater flexibility for mobile computing.
The PS7030 PCMCIA Controller, meanwhile, offers a cascadable architecture with support for up to four PCMCIA slots and, in the MessagePad 2000 product, has enabled the first PCMCIA adapter in a hand held device. This chip was developed to accommodate a wide range of peripheral and storage functions now available in PCMCIA card formats. Compatible with the PCMCIA 2.01 standard, the chip supports hot insertion and removal of both 3.3V and 5V PCMCIA cards.
The CS8130 infrared transceiver was developed to provide multimode IR support for both Apple products. IR support is especially important for the eMate 300 mobile computer, where students can distribute information and collaborate with other students easily, using a wireless environment. Conforming to the IRDA standard for data rates as high as 115 Kbps, the single-chip transceiver integrates a high-gain PIN diode amplifier, programmable transmit LED power driver, standard UART interface, and on-chip baud rate generator.
About Cirrus Logic
Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of advanced integrated circuits that perform multimedia, communications and mass storage functions. Having captured strong market positions in key sectors of the desktop and portable PC markets, the company is now extending its core technologies beyond the PC to innovate software-rich chip solutions for Internet appliances, hand-held digital assistants and communications devices, high-speed internetworking, digital wireless communications and consumer electronics. Additional information about Cirrus Logic and its subsidiaries is available on the worldwide web at http://www.cirrus.com. or via fax-on-demand at 800-594-6414 (dial 510-249-4200 from outside the United States).
Note: Apple, MessagePad, and Newton are registered trademarks and eMate is a trademark of Apple Computer. StrongArm is a registered trademark of Digital Equipment Corporation. Voyager is a trademark of Cirrus Logic, Inc.
SOURCE: Apple Computer, Inc.
CONTACT:
Erin Barrite, Cirrus Logic Inc., Tsantes & Associates, 510-226-2239,
or
John Tsantes, Cirrus Logic Inc., Tsantes & Associates, 408-452-8700