15.12.2004 – 14:12

Atmel Corporation

Atmel Targets PC Drives and DVD Recorders with Introduction of New High-speed Laser Diode Drivers

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire)

- Available in Lead-free and Smallest-sized Packaging

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions,
announced today the availability of its new laser diode driver family
with Low Voltage Differential Signals (LVDS) for enhanced write
speed. The ATR084x family is designed for DVD+/-RW/CD-RW combo drives
and enables read/write speeds of up to 16 times (DVD+/-RW) and 52
times (CD-RW), respectively. To address the various application
needs, the new LVDS family includes 5 devices with different features
so that engineers can create their dedicated pick up design. All
members of the ATR084x family are four-channel devices with two
selectable outputs. Both outputs can be used either for DVD laser
diodes with a wavelength of 650 nm or for CD-RW laser diodes with a
wavelength of 780 nm. The ATR0842 is especially suited for blue laser
diodes with 408 nm wavelength. The LVDS inputs for the three write
channels allow fast and reliable output current control. The two
identical outputs support currents of up to 500 mA. Rise and fall
time is less than 0.8 ns. An on-chip RF oscillator reduces laser mode
hopping noise during read mode.

The ATR0840 can be used either in legacy singled-ended enable mode
or in LVDS enable mode without changing the board design. Both enable
inputs can be used for single-ended mode without any additional
components. The ATR0841 is pin- and functionally compatible with the
ATR0840, but includes an internal, integrated LVDS termination
resistor that is necessary for LVDS operation. Designs using
competing devices that do not have this resistor integrated need to
apply it externally. The most innovative new ATR084x family member is
the ATR0842, which enables the design of next-generation blue laser
drives. The ATR0842 can be powered with up to 8 V, allowing the use
of high-voltage laser diodes with up to 6 V, as necessary for blue
lasers. The ATR0843 is functionally compatible with the ATR0840 and
has, in addition, a separate enable function for the read channel.
The ATR0844 is a pin-compatible version with integrated LVDS
termination resistor.

All ATR084x devices are available in lead-free QFN24 packages.
With a dimension of 4 mm x 4 mm x 0.9 mm, this is the smallest
package currently available. All devices will also be available soon
in pin-compatible QFN packages with the exposed pad on top. Samples
of the ATR0840, ATR0841, ATR0842, ATR0843 and ATR0844 in QFN24
packages are available now. Pricing for each of the devices starts at
3.60 US$ (10 k).

Footnote
     CD-RW = CD with Read/Write function
     DVD+/-RW = Digital Versatile Disk with Read/Write function
     LVDS = Low Voltage Differential Signals

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(SM).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, are registered
trademarks, and Everywhere You Are(SM) is the trademark of Atmel
Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's laser diode driver ATR084x product information may be
retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3493
(ATR0840)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3494
(ATR0841)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3502
(ATR0842)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3503
(ATR0843)
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3505
(ATR0844)

For further Atmel DVD products, see
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/devices.asp?family_id=619

     Press Contacts:
     Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
     Products
     Phone:  +49-7131-67-2081, Email:   susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
     Clive Over, Director of Press Relations - USA and Asia
     Phone:  +1-408-451-2855, Email:   cliveover@atmel.com
     Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
     Phone:  +33-1-30-60-70-68, Fax:  +49-7131-67-2423
     Email:   veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

Contact:

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or
Clive Over, Director of Press Relations - USA and Asia,
+1-408-451-2855, or cliveover@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax,
+49-7131-67-2423, or
veronique.sablereau@atmel.com, all of Atmel Corporation