1997-09-22 , E/IC-833/410

With the introduction in 1994 of its UMA1015M Dual Frequency Synthesizer IC, Philips Semiconductors, the largest European semiconductor company, set the industry- standard for low-power high-performance frequency synthesis in 900 MHz cellular and cordless telephones. With today's introduction of the UMA1015AM, Philips Semiconductors offers even better price/performance ratios, lower power consumption and improved specifications.

"We've not only improved the performance of this synthesizer," said Product Marketing Manager Denis Farison, "we've also been able to reduce the price so that it gives our customers the best price/performance ratio in the market."

The UMA1015AM, which is a 'shrink' of Philips Semiconductors' UMA1015M manufactured in the company's advanced QUBIC1 process, retains all the features of the UMA1015M. In addition to fully programmable dual frequency synthesis up to 1.1 GHz and space saving 20-lead SSOP packaging, these features include an on-chip voltage doubler that drives 5-volt VCOs even when the battery voltage has fallen as low as 2.7 V, and an on-chip programmable I/O port to control peripheral circuitry.

In a business where there are relatively few major players, but where annual usage of synthesizer chips exceeds 20 million pieces per year, security of supply is a critical factor for customers. With its advanced QUBIC1 process in full production at wafer fabs in Caen, France, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, Philips Semiconductors is more than able to meet worldwide demand for the UMA1015AM with timely delivery. This new part is already deliverable in high volume 8 weeks after receipt of order - ensuring continuity of supply for existing users of the UMA1015M and a short time-to-market for new designs. Philips Semiconductors' UMA1015M, the de-facto industry standard, is widely used in handsets and basestations for cellular and cordless phone systems such as CT1/CT1+, AMPS, N-AMPS, TACS and NMT.

Philips Semiconductors, a division of Philips Electronics NV, headquartered in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, is the ninth largest semiconductor supplier in the world and the third largest supplier of discretes in the world. Philips Semiconductors' innovations in digital audio, video, and mobile technology position the company as a leader in the consumer, multimedia and wireless communications markets. Sales offices are located in all major markets around the world and are supported by systems labs.