-- In digital consumer, ST announced its leading-edge STi7141 cable TV
set-top-box IC combining high-definition and interactive capabilities
and the STDP3100 DisplayPort-to-VGA converter enabling seamless
connectivity between legacy VGA monitors, projectors and the new
generation of DisplayPort PCs and notebooks. ST's DisplayPort products
were adopted by two leading LCD and plasma TV makers for their 'two-box'
TV systems, to deliver performance up to120Hz full high definition.
-- In consumer audio, ST gained two design wins in Korea for home
entertainment systems for the latest device in its Sound Terminal
family. The chip integrates standard digital processing features and an
expansion of analog-input capabilities to enable higher flexibility in
audio source management.
-- In computer peripherals, ST secured major design wins for
hard-disk-drive (HDD) ICs for desktop PC applications, including: a HDD
motor controller from a leading maker; a 40nm process technology
system-on-chip (SoC), also from a leading HDD maker; and sampling of a
new desktop HDD power combo to major customers, based on ST's
latest-generation BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) technology. ST also gained a
design win for an ASIC, implemented in 40nm technology, from a major OEM
for the printer and imaging market.
-- In communications infrastructure applications, ST gained an important
design win from a leading OEM for the development of an ASIC for use in
data-center solutions.
Industrial and Multi-Segment (IMS) Product Highlights
-- In MEMS motion sensors, ST introduced a family of 3x3x1mm
high-performance three-axis linear accelerometers with digital output,
boasting resolution scalability, smart embedded features and reduced
power consumption. ST also gained a two key design wins for its
three-axis devices for a portable navigation device and also a tablet
PC. Additionally, the Company was recently named by iSuppli as the
leading supplier in 2008 of MEMS for consumer and portable applications.
-- Also in MEMS, ST introduced its first automotive-qualified three-axis
MEMS accelerometer, fully leveraging its strategy to bring economies of
scale from its market-leading business in consumer to new automotive and
industrial applications.
-- In microcontrollers, ST further extended options of its breakthrough
32-bit STM32 ARM Cortex-M3 based MCUs with devices offering 16-Kbyte
Flash densities as well as a complete series integrating full-speed USB
peripherals. ST also introduced a DSP library for the STM32, allowing
developers to take full advantage of the MCU to host signal processing
and control functions on the same core. Also in Q4, the STM32 was
acclaimed with the winning of 2008 Best Product Award from EDN China.
-- In smartcards, ST introduced a number of products, including two
advanced 32-bit families, the ST32 and ST33, which are based on the ARM
Cortex M3 and its highly secure SC300 version for mobile-phone SIM
cards. These new products offer features that will allow mobile network
operators to enhance differentiation and expand revenue growth by
delivering richer services to subscribers. ST also introduced a
smartcard IC for secure identity cards supporting the latest
cryptography techniques, contact and contactless interfaces and a large
memory for biometric data. The device meets International Civil Aviation
Organization requirements for Machine Readable Travel Documents.
-- ST and LG used Cartes 2008 to demonstrate an NFC (Near Field
Communication) mobile phone, which uses ST's ST21NFCA chip. LG's
KU380-NFC phone features Paypass contactless payment capabilities
enabled by a (U)SIM card, as well as contactless reader functions.
-- In powerline applications, ST announced an agreement with Arkados to
develop and manufacture a best-in-class 200-Mbps HomePlug AV 'wideband'
powerline modem SoC. In the 'narrowband' market, modules based on ST's
highly integrated powerline transceiver ICs are to be deployed in the
largest Automatic Meter Reading project in China. The metering system
will remotely collect and manage consumption of water, gas, heat and
electricity in more than one million households across China.
-- In power conversion, ST has already received orders for its first 600V
Power Schottky devices that use silicon carbide (SiC) technology,
helping designers to increase power density and strongly reduce power
losses in energy converters. ST also enlarged its ESD protection device
portfolio with extremely small footprints of 0.18 sq-mm and
ultra-low-capacitance devices that meet USB, DVI, HDMI and SATA
standards. Suited for 1 or 2 data lines, these new components provide
flexibility to portable telecom, consumer and computer application
designers.
-- In analog linear ICs, ST announced new devices aimed at mobile phone and
portable consumer products, including a new device that combines an
analog switch and 1.6W class-D audio amplifier IC to simplify board
design and save space, and a new video buffer IC offering a low
operating current and the lowest standby current among comparable
devices. Also in linear and interface ICs, ST gained multiple design
wins in various markets, including set-top boxes and mobile handsets.
-- In analog and logic ICs, ST launched a watchdog timer offering a
chip-enable input to prevent automatic reset generation during in-system
programming or boot-up. ST also designed-in clock-distribution ICs at
three major mobile handset makers and an analog temperature sensor with
a major telecom company in China. And design wins in advanced analog
included a 3-to-1 HDMI switch for an LCD HDTV from a major consumer OEM
in Japan, and a significant win with a leading maker in Korea for a
range of value-priced consumer products.
