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The TrueStore RC1300 uses half the electrical current required by the previous generation of read channels in this market segment, thereby significantly extending the battery life of electronic devices, such as MP3 players and portable media players, without recharge. Moreover, the new channel increases storage capacity by speeding the data transmission rate by 25 percent and boosting the signal-to-noise ratio over the previous generation of channel. Because the RC1300 is the newest in Agere's Copperhead family of read channels, hard disk drive (HDD) makers can leverage their existing software investments in the TrueStore RC7200 serving the desktop and laptop markets and minimize their investment in added software for the new read channel.
The TrueStore RC1300 targets the 1.8-inch and smaller HDD form factor that provides critical data storage of 20 to 160 gigabytes in a wide variety of consumer devices, including MP3 players, portable media players and digital camcorders. With its smaller die size, RC1300 enables consumer device makers to develop smaller and more creative designs for handheld devices. First samples are achieving design targets for power and performance, and Agere expects the TrueStore RC1300 to be in production in 2008.
Ruediger Stroh, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Agere's Storage division, said, "The TrueStore RC1300 achieves two difficult objectives: it enables greater storage capacity while at the same time dramatically reducing power consumption. Moreover it accomplishes this at an ultra-small size that gives disk drive manufacturers and device makers greater freedom to be creative in their form-factor designs."
A read channel encodes and decodes data and ensures the accuracy of all data read from or written to a disk drive. Read channels act as the linchpin of custom storage systems-on-a-chip (SoCs), which combine multiple functions, including hard disk controller, serial interface and memory, on a single chip.
On power performance, the TrueStore RC1300 not only reduces chip-level power consumption while enhancing power management, it also marks a major advance in read channel design and incorporates multiple pending patents for power reduction. In addition to its low power consumption while a device is operating, the RC1300 features the lowest power consumption when devices are in non-operating, or stand-by, mode.
For more than a decade, HDD manufacturers have relied on Agere to deliver solutions that respond to a rapidly changing market while consistently establishing the industry standards in technology.
Agere Systems is a global leader in semiconductors and software solutions for storage, mobility and networking markets. The company's products enable a broad range of services and capabilities, from cell phones, PCs and hard disk drives to the world's most sophisticated wireless and wire line networks. Agere's customers include top manufacturers of consumer electronics and communications and computing equipment. Agere works to transform the performance of networks and consumer electronics by integrating systems knowledge and leading technology that enable people to stay connected -- perfecting the connected lifestyle.
Agere, Agere Systems, the Agere Systems logo and TrueStore are registered trademarks of Agere Systems Inc.
This release contains forward-looking statements based on information currently available to Agere. Agere's actual results could differ materially from the results stated or implied by those forward-looking statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our reliance on major customers and suppliers, our ability to keep pace with technological change, our dependence on new product development, price and product competition, availability of manufacturing capacity, customer demand for our products and services, and general industry and market conditions. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, see our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Agere disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Web site: http://www.agere.com/
