1997-09-29 , S/IC-714/240

Philips Semiconductors and Texas Instruments today separately announced their entry into the 'PicoGate Logic' marketplace. This announcement marks the first cooperative source for PicoGate Logic, the industry's smallest IC package. Applications for this small packaging span the areas of telecommunications, computer and consumer products. More specifically, tomorrow's sub-sub notebook computers, handheld TVs, video games, cameras and more will require the small size and functionality the PicoGate Logic provides.

PicoGate Logic's small size allows for easily designing into crowded board layouts or simple insertion for last minute modifications to design. These five-pin single-gate devices simplify routing and eliminate dependence on intricate line-layout patterns in a design.

Utilizing the SOT353 5-pin package -- one of the world's smallest housings and 10 times smaller than a standard SO14 -- Philips Semiconductors will provide a full range of PicoGate Logic functions in 5 V HC/HCT and 3 V CMOS; Texas Instruments will provide the same functions in the AHC/AHCT families.

"The market is shifting toward miniaturization and PicoGate Logic gives our customers the means to optimise board space and deliver increasingly smaller products," said Catherine de Villeneuve, International Product Marketing Manager of Philips Semiconductors. "Our in-house Discrete packaging expertise has long been demonstrated and is now easily extended to single gate Logic ICs."

"As the industry's leading logic supplier, we're always focused on providing the most effective and innovative solutions for our customers," said Ed Agis, Worldwide Products Marketing Manager for TI logic products. "TI recognises a significant market for single-gate logic devices. This PicoGate Logic sourcing agreement is an excellent opportunity to meet this demand."

5 V HCT gates, inverters and analog switches began shipping from Philips in September 1997. Samples from Texas Instruments and its authorised distributors of 5 V AHC/T gates and inverters are anticipated to be available late in the fourth quarter of 1997.

About Philips Semiconductors

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.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated is a global semiconductor company and the world's leading designer and supplier of digital signal processing solutions, the engines driving the digitization of electronics. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, US, the company's businesses also include calculators, productivity products, controls and sensors, metallurgical materials and digital light processing technologies. The company has manufacturing or sales operations in more than 25 countries.

Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at  http://www.ti.com