Wolfson Microelectronics plc:

Wolfson Microelectronics Expands Family of High-speed AFEs

Monday, September 17, 2001

EDINBURGH, UK - September 17, 2001 - Wolfson Microelectronics plc, the technical leader in developing mixed-signal ICs for multimedia and communications applications, today announced the newest member of its single chip high-speed analog front-end (AFE). The WM8199, offers 16-bit resolution and speeds of 20 MSPS. As with the other members of the WM819x product family, the WM8199 combines both the analog pre-processing and analog-to-digital conversion in a single chip package. It was designed to provide improved scan rates for high-speed scanners as well as the next generation multifunctional peripherals.

'The flatbed scanner market continues to demand improved scan speeds and, as higher throughput rates become possible, for example with USB2, we expect demand for higher speed scanner products to surge ahead', said David Milne, Wolfson's Managing Director. 'At Wolfson we are excited by the opportunities we can serve with this excellent product, not only in scanners but also in the rapidly growing Multi- Function Peripheral (MFP) market.

We know that every MFP customer now expects the same solid performance from a scanner integrated with a printer as he does from a standalone scanner. We expect this fast AFE to be widely taken up in MFP applications.'
Wolfson's AFE family also finds applications in products such as professional and large format scanners, check and lottery ticket scanners, medical imaging, barcode and waybill scanners and other applications which use CCD and CIS image sensors.

The WM8199 device is a 16 bit, 20MSPS converter front end for use with CCD or CIS image sensors. Operable in either single, dual or three channel modes the AFE is easy to interface to, with reset level clamping, correlated double sampling, programmable gain, and offset adjust functions. The WM8199 allows users to take advantage of the higher throughput rates of new interface standards such as USB2 and IEEE 1394. The architecture and firmware set up protocols offer an easy migration route from other members of Wolfson's family of single-chip AFEs.

The product is available now in a 28 pin SSOP package for $4.30/1000.

About Wolfson Microelectronics
Wolfson Microelectronics plc is a privately held, award winning, fabless semiconductor company based in Edinburgh, UK. Wolfson develops and markets high performance mixed signal semiconductors for multimedia and communications applications worldwide. The company currently has sales offices in the USA, Japan and Taiwan. For further information please contact: sales@wolfsonmicro.com