Atmel and Magellan Introduce New GPS Chipset Generation

Heilbronn, Germany and San Dimas, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

- High Performance GPS Positioning Platform Integrated With an
ARM9 Microprocessor and New GPS RF Receiver Targeting PND
Applications

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML), a global leader in the
development and fabrication of advanced semiconductor solutions, and
Magellan(R) announced today the availability of a new GPS chipset
that integrates the world's latest GPS correlation technology with an
ARM926EJ-S(TM)-based microprocessor. This new device includes an
extended instruction set with DSP extensions and a rich set of
peripherals, designed to simplify the design, and drive down system
costs, for the rapidly expanding market for Personal Navigation
Devices (PNDs), car navigation, and recreational applications.

The ARM9(TM)-powered ATR0663 includes a state-of-the-art GPS
baseband and an LCD controller with integrated 2D graphics
accelerator for virtual screen support of 2048 x 2048 pixels, an AC97
audio controller, as well as an image sensor interface. Numerous I/O
options including Ethernet, USB 2.0 Full Speed Host and Device,
SD/MMC, TWI, and USARTs provide a highly-targeted System-on-Chip
(SoC) solution for PND applications. In addition, a dual external bus
interface and 9-layer bus matrix allow for fast memory access and
high throughput without loading the microcontroller.

The new GPS engine, based on Magellan's GPS technology, boasts
capability for the fastest acquisition of satellite signals, with a
hot start in less than 2 seconds, and the highest tracking
sensitivity (-159 dBm) available. The advanced GPS technology employs
the power of tens of thousands of correlators to achieve rapid
satellite acquisition and reliable tracking under weak signal
conditions.

Rounding out the new chip set introduction, the companion ATR0603
RF receiver IC maximizes the performance of the new GPS engine while
combining low cost and low power consumption of only 12 mA in
operation.

Also compatible for use with the new chipset is Atmel's existing
ATR0610, a fully-integrated, low-noise amplifier manufactured using
Atmel's innovative Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) process to cope with
challenging reception environments and enabling cost-sensitive
passive-antenna designs.

The ATR0603 and ATR0663 continue Atmel's lead in providing the
highest performance GPS solutions in this rapidly expanding market.
The new GPS engine with its massively parallel correlator concept
will also be an integral part of Atmel's ongoing extension of its
consumer GPS portfolio, developing tailored solutions for key GPS
market segments.

"The release of this new RF receiver and ARM926EJ-based device
sets a new standard for the combination of high-performance GPS with
a complete system processor that has all the peripherals necessary to
meet the needs of the growing PND market. It is an ideal complement
to our automotive-grade ANTARIS(TM) GPS solution," commented Matthias
Kaestner, Atmel's Marketing Director for Communications Products.

"Atmel's new hardware is optimized to run Magellan's most powerful
software platform to provide PND makers with a complete navigation
and mapping solution powered by a single SoC. PND suppliers can use
this hardware and software platform to provide solutions with a
customized look and feel for diverse markets," said Mike Mouser,
Senior Technical Director for the Magellan OEM Business.

Availability

Samples of the ATR0663 (324-pin TFBGA package), the companion
ATR0603 (24-pin QFN package), and the ATR0610 LNA (6-pin PLLP
package) are available now. All packages are fully green compliant.
Atmel also offers a complete application development kit that helps
to dramatically shorten the design-in cycle time.

Footnote
DSP = Digital Signal Processor
GPS = Global Positioning Systems
I/O = Input/Output
LCD = Liquid Crystal Display
LNA = Low Noise Amplifier
PND = Personal Navigation Device
SD/MMC = Secure Digital/MultiMedia Card
SiGe = Silicon Germanium
SoC = System on Chip
TWI = Two Wire Interface
USART = Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter
USB = Universal Serial Bus

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(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You
Are(R) and others are registered trademarks, Antaris(TM) and others
are trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and
others are registered trademarks or trademarks of ARM ltd. Other
terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

About Magellan

Magellan (formerly Thales Navigation) is a leader in the consumer,
survey, GIS and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets.
Recognized as an industry innovator, the Company is the creator of
the award-winning Magellan RoadMate(TM) series portable car
navigation systems, the Magellan eXplorist(R) outdoor handheld
navigation devices, the Hertz NeverLost(R) car navigation system and
ProMark(TM), the best-selling single frequency GPS survey product
line on the market. The company is recognized worldwide through its
Magellan brand and has experienced dramatic revenue growth as GPS
technology has proliferated across a range of consumer and commercial
applications. The Company is privately held and headquartered in San
Dimas, California with European headquarters in Carquefou, France.

Information

Atmel's GPS ATR0663 product information may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=3990 .

Further Atmel GPS product information can be found at
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/devices.asp?family_id=665 .

Magellan product information may be retrieved at
http://www.magellangps.com .

Atmel Press Contacts

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and
Automotive Products

Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com

Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@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

Magellan Press Contacts
Amanda Higgins, Sr. Director Corporate Communications
Phone: +1-408-615-5236, Email: ahiggins@magellanGPS.com
Web site: http://www.magellangps.com
http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@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; or Amanda Higgins, Sr.
Director Corporate Communications, Magellan, +1-408-615-5236, or
ahiggins@magellanGPS.com