CAMARILLO, Calif. and CHANDLER, Ariz., Aug. 4, 2010 — Semtech Corp. (NASDAQ: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, and Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, today announced the availability of a reference design that provides a turnkey platform for highly secure, low-power, multi-band wireless remote keyless entry (RKE) systems. This new reference design integrates Semtech’s high-performance transmitter and transceiver ICs with Microchip’s KEELOQ^® code-hopping technology running on PIC^® microcontrollers (MCUs). It is designed to simplify and accelerate the development of secure, high-performance and cost-effective RKE systems for vehicles, office buildings and homes, and provides a single platform that works across virtually all major frequency regulations.

The RKE reference-design hardware includes transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) boards running Microchip’s KEELOQ code-hopping encryption software and Microchip MCUs. The Tx board pairs Semtech’s SX1230 industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band transmitter with Microchip’s PIC16F631 or PIC16F677 8-bit MCUs. The Rx board employs Semtech’s SX1211 or SX1212 ISM transceivers, again with Microchip’s PIC16F631 or PIC16F677 MCUs.

The SX1230 is a multi-band ISM transmitter that complies with virtually all major country-specific radio regulations. It is fully configurable and dynamically programmable for narrowband and wideband applications in the 315, 434, 868 and 915 MHz license-free ISM frequency bands, and works with FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK and OOK modulation formats up to 600 kb/s, with constant RF performance over the 1.8V to 3.7V operating range. The device features 30 mA current consumption at +10dBm output power and 500 nA sleep mode current for increased battery life. RF output power is programmable up to +17 dBm in 1 dB steps from -20 dBm.

The SX1210/1/2/3 family offers a broad range of pin-to-pin compatible ISM-band transceivers and receivers, covering all worldwide unlicensed bands from 300 MHz to 510 MHz and from 863 MHz to 960 MHz. The key strength of this family is its outstanding receiver (Rx) current consumption of less than 3 mA, while providing high bit rates of more than 150 kbps, along with a state-of-the-art packet engine and complete flexibility via register programming.

This new RKE reference design kit uses Microchip’s KEELOQ code-hopping technology running on Microchip’s PIC microcontrollers. The KEELOQ security algorithm encrypts information in the RF transmission packets before they are transmitted, unlike some existing RKE systems in the market. This solution from Semtech and Microchip stores confidential information inside the Flash memory of the PIC microcontroller and then encrypts it inside each data packet, prior to any RF transmission.

Additionally, the KEELOQ code-hopping algorithm creates a unique transmission on each activation of the transmitter, rendering replay attacks useless. The combination of a 64-bit key length and KEELOQ code-hopping technology significantly reduces the possibility of unwanted access or security breaches.

The PIC16F631 (1.75 KB Flash, 128B EEPROM) and PIC16F677 (3.5 KB Flash, 256B EEPROM) are 20-pin, 8-bit, Flash PIC MCUs that are available in a small 4×4 mm QFN package. Standard on-chip peripherals include an 8 MHz internal oscillator, an analog comparator module with two comparators, up 12 channels 10-bit ADC, and a programmable on-chip voltage reference. With an operating voltage of 2.0-5.5V, various reset and power saving options, these MCUs provide everything required for a low-power, robust and reliable design. The KEELOQ system supports up to 16 Semtech Tx units on a single receiver using the PIC16F631 MCU, or up to 32 Tx units using the PIC16F677 MCU.

“Our relationship with Microchip means we can now provide a highly secure, turnkey RKE reference solution integrating the industry’s highest performing microcontrollers and RF ICs, along with leading security encryption software,” said Sameer Vuyyuru, Semtech Vice President Marketing for Semtech’s Advanced Communications and Sensing Group. “RKE designers now have a reference solution that does not require specialized RF design or encryption programming skills, compared to discrete or analog RF integrated circuit approaches that require security software and RF engineering expertise, and involve long design cycles with extensive production stabilization efforts.”

“This new RKE reference platform offers a strategic combination of security along with high-performance, low-power processing and RF transmission,” said Vivien Delport Director of Applications for Microchip’s Security, Microcontroller & Technology Development Division. “Semtech brings the high-performance transmitters and receivers that, when integrated with our KEELOQ code-hopping technology and PIC microcontrollers, results in RKE systems that are easy to design, secure, low power, cost effective and easily adaptable to multiple global standards.”

Key Features of the Semtech – Microchip Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) Reference Design

• Turnkey hardware and software RKE reference design, including:
  • Hardware: integrated RF ICs, multi-band PCB antenna, MCU
  • Software: KEELOQ code-hopping technology software
• Highly secure:
  • Encrypts all RF packets before sending, no plain text sent over air
  • Code-hopping encryption produces unique RF transmission each time.
• Saves design cost and time — same design supports multi-band (315, 434, 868, 915 MHz) and multiple modulation formats (FSK, OOK, ASK)
• No tuning for lower production costs
• Long range: programmable P_OUT up to +17 dBm

Availability

Reference design kits (order code: SX1230-13RKEA433) are available immediately from Semtech. Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support. Data sheets, volume pricing and delivery quotes, as well as evaluation kits and samples, are available at www.semtech.com/info. KEELOQ software is available immediately from Microchip, upon execution of a license agreement with Microchip. For more information on KEELOQ code-hopping encryption algorithm software and PIC16F631 and PIC16F677 microcontrollers, please inquire with Microchip at http://www.microchip.com.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, computing, communications and industrial equipment. Products are designed to benefit the engineering community as well as the global community. The company is dedicated to reducing the impact it, and its products, have on the environment. Internal green programs seek to reduce waste through material and manufacturing control, use of green technology and designing for resource reduction. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, visit http://www.semtech.com.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP) is a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at http://www.microchip.com.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.  August  4, 2010 — Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNPS), a world leader in software and IP for semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing, and GLOBALFOUNDRIES, a leading provider of advanced semiconductor technology and manufacturing services, today announced an agreement to develop the Synopsys DesignWare®SuperSpeed USB (3.0), USB 2.0, HDMI 1.4 Tx and Rx, DDR3/2, PCI Express® 2.0 and 1.1, SATA 1.5/3 Gbps and 6 Gbps, and XAUI  PHY IP for GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 28 nanometer (nm) “Gate First” High-k Metal Gate (HKMG) process technologies. The collaboration will enable mutual customers to differentiate their 28nm designs with a high quality IP portfolio targeted at next generation electronic system-on-chips (SoCs). The long standing relationship between the two companies has resulted in the successful development of DesignWare PHY IP from 180nm to 32nm process technologies. GLOBALFOUNDRIES and Synopsys are the first to announce the development of USB, PCI Express, DDR, HDMI, SATA and XAUI PHY IP targeting 28nm process technologies with scalability to future generations.

GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 28nm high performance (HP) and super low power (SLP) technologies are optimised for fast processing with minimal leakage, making them ideal for a wide variety of applications from high performance graphics and wired networking to low power wireless mobile applications that require high processing speeds, small feature sizes, and long battery lifetime. 

“This is another demonstration of the value delivered by our close collaboration with members of the GLOBALSOLUTIONS ecosystem,” said Walter Ng, vice president of the IP ecosystem at GLOBALFOUNDRIES. “Our 28nm HKMG processes with ‘Gate First’ technology are aimed at delivering a new level of performance and power efficiency for the next generation of SoC designs. By combining our leading edge manufacturing capabilities with Synopsys’ established leadership in delivering high quality IP for the most advanced processes, we will enable our mutual customers to quickly ramp into high volume and bring their innovations to the marketplace.”

Synopsys provides complete solutions consisting of digital controllers, PHYs and verification IP for commonly used protocols such as USB, PCI Express and SATA. The DesignWare PHY IP solutions target a broad range of high performance, ultra low power mobile and consumer applications, where the key requirements include minimal area and low dynamic and leakage power consumption. The PHY IP is designed to tolerate process, voltage and temperature variations and supports multiple power management features.

“By collaborating with GLOBALFOUNDRIES to deliver our PHY IP in the 28nm process, Synopsys enables designers to meet the growing demands of a new generation of lower power, higher performance SoCs,” said John Koeter, vice president of marketing for the Solutions Group at Synopsys. “Our successful track record of providing proven solutions in the GLOBALFOUNDRIES processes gives designers confidence that they can quickly migrate to this advanced process technology with significantly less risk and improved time-to-market.”

Availability

Front end design views for the DesignWare PHY IP supporting GLOBALFOUNDRIES’ 28nm process technologies are available now. Initial design kits and DesignWare PHY IP  are scheduled for availability in Q1 of 2011. Additional products will be released throughout 2011.  For more information on the DesignWare USB, PCI Express, DDR, HDMI and SATA PHY IP solutions, please visit:http://www.synopsys.com/designware.

About DesignWare IP

Synopsys is a leading provider of high quality, silicon proven interface and analogue IP solutions for system-on-chip designs. Synopsys’ broad IP portfolio delivers complete connectivity IP solutions consisting of controllers, PHY and verification IP for widely used protocols including USB, PCI Express, DDR, SATA, Ethernet, HDMI and MIPI IP including 3G DigRF, 4G DigRF, CSI-2 and D-PHY. The analogue IP family includes Analogue-to-Digital Converters, Digital-to-Analogue Converters, Audio Codecs, Video Analogue Front Ends, Touch Screen Controllers and more. In addition, Synopsys offers SystemC transaction level models to build virtual prototype for rapid, pre-silicon development of software. With a robust IP development methodology, extensive investment in quality and comprehensive technical support, Synopsys enables designers to accelerate time-to-market and reduce integration risk. For more information on DesignWare IP, visit: http://www.synopsys.com/designware. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/designware_ip.

About GLOBALFOUNDRIES

GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world’s first full service semiconductor foundry with a truly global manufacturing and technology footprint. Launched in March 2009 through a partnership between AMD [NYSE: AMD] and the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), GLOBALFOUNDRIES provides a unique combination of advanced technology, manufacturing excellence and global operations. With the integration of Chartered in January 2010, GLOBALFOUNDRIES significantly expanded its capacity and ability to provide best-in-class foundry services from mainstream to the leading edge. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is headquartered in Silicon Valley with manufacturing operations in Singapore, Germany, and a new leading edge fab under construction in Saratoga County, New York. These sites are supported by a global network of R&D, design enablement, and customer support in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. For more information on GLOBALFOUNDRIES, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.

About Synopsys

Synopsys, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNPS) is a world leader in electronic design automation (EDA), supplying the global electronics market with the software, intellectual property (IP) and services used in semiconductor design, verification and manufacturing. Synopsys’ comprehensive, integrated portfolio of implementation, verification, IP, manufacturing and field programmable gate array (FPGA) solutions helps address the key challenges designers and manufacturers face today, such as power and yield management, system-to-silicon verification and time-to-results. These technology leading solutions help give Synopsys customers a competitive edge in bringing the best products to market quickly while reducing costs and schedule risk. Synopsys is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and has more than 65 offices located throughout North America, Europe, Japan, Asia and India. Visit Synopsys online at http://www.synopsys.com/.