Micro Linear (NASDAQ:MLIN)
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Micro Linear Introduces FastWave(TM) Embedded Wireless Processor
Proprietary Controller First in Family of Flexible Processors and Memory Blocks
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micro Linear Corporation
(NASDAQ:MLIN), a leading supplier of wireless integrated circuits, today
unveiled its proprietary FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor technology
and custom-designed FastWave(TM) wireless memory arrays, which have been
integrated into several products currently in development at Micro Linear
including the ML1905 Advanced PHS Transceiver. The FastWave(TM) embedded
wireless processor and memories have been carefully designed to satisfy the
rigorous performance, cost and schedule demands of high volume digital wireless
markets.
Micro Linear believes that FastWave(TM) technology represents a significant
breakthrough in the digital wireless transceiver market. FastWave(TM)
processors should offer greater control and flexibility over radio performance,
enable more rapid product development, and allow products to be more readily
modified to address emerging standards or new customer requirements.
Micro Linear expects that transceivers incorporating Fastwave(TM) technology
will be able to enhance radio performance by fine-tuning over 200 distinct
control lines. FastWave(TM) will also radically simplify the baseband
processor interface and reduce processor overhead by taking on much of the
complex timing and housekeeping tasks needed to control the transceiver.
Micro Linear reduced development time and simplified prototype evaluation for
the ML1905 transceiver by implementing a firmware-based Fastwave(TM) controller
instead of the more commonplace hard-wired approach prevalent in competitive
products. By integrating FastWave(TM) processor technology in future designs,
Micro Linear expects similar reductions in product development time.
Micro Linear's FastWave(TM) memories include both read-only memory (ROM) and
random-access memory (RAM) that have been optimized for use with the
FastWave(TM) processor. Transceivers that incorporate FastWave(TM) memory are
designed to be quickly and easily modified to address specific customer
requirements by implementing firmware in an external memory device. Once the
firmware is debugged, production quantities of custom transceivers may be
manufactured generally with only simple metal-mask modifications to the device.
"After an exhaustive survey of numerous licensable and free controller cores,
we concluded that none could optimally meet the exacting requirements of our
advanced digital wireless transceivers," David Walker, Micro Linear's Chief
Scientist explained. "We designed the FastWave(TM) wireless processor,
memories, and instruction set to be extremely compact, code and cycle efficient
and above all, flexible."
The FastWave(TM) wireless processor utilizes a Von Neumann architecture,
resulting in an extremely compact design that is inherently flexible. Since it
is not accumulator based, Micro Linear believes that the FastWave(TM) processor
is also faster than competing architectures. Micro Linear engineers developed
a unique 32-command instruction set, optimized for code efficiency, for the
FastWave(TM). Significant effort was expended to minimize substrate noise
generated by the processor, which shares its silicon germanium (SiGe) substrate
with high performance radio frequency (RF) and analog signal processing
circuitry.
"With the introduction of the FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor and
memories, we believe that Micro Linear has advanced the state of the art in
digital wireless transceivers and is strategically positioned to achieve a
strong competitive advantage," stated Tim Richardson, president and CEO of
Micro Linear. "We expect to integrate FastWave(TM) technology into many of our
future products, which we anticipate will bring about recurring benefits for
our expanding customer base, our engineers, and ultimately, for our
shareholders."
About Micro Linear:
Micro Linear Corporation is a fabless semiconductor company specializing in
wireless integrated circuits. In addition to its PHS products, the Company
offers a full line of high data rate ISM-band transceivers used in consumer
applications such as cordless phones, wireless speakers and headphones, game
controllers, voice headsets and other electronic appliances. Micro Linear
offers a uniquely broad line of transceivers, which address the most popular
unlicensed bands: 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz. To simplify system design and
decrease time to market, Micro Linear also offers starter kits and reference
designs. Headquartered in San Jose, California, Micro Linear's products are
available through its authorized representatives and distributors worldwide.
More information on the company is available online at
http://www.microlinear.com/.
Micro Linear Safe Harbor Statement
Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements in this
press release, including, but not limited to, the features, performance and
benefits of Micro Linear's FastWave(TM) embedded wireless processor; the
features, performance, and benefits of the ML1905; the timing of production and
shipment of the ML1905 chip; future implementation by and benefits to Micro
Linear of the FastWave(TM) in future products; the ability of the FastWave(TM)
to be modified for derivative or customized products both in prototype and
production are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe
harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In
some cases, these forward-looking statements may be identified by use of terms
such as "we believe" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future results and are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the
risks associated with the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; the
level of product orders; new product announcements or introductions by
competitors; the market's acceptance of the Company's products including the
ML1905; the Company's ability to integrate the FastWave(TM) technology; and
other factors that may cause the Company's business or operating results to
fluctuate in the future. Additional risks are detailed in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended January 2, 2005. Statements included in
this press release are based on information known to the Company as of the date
of this release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update information
contained in this release.
NOTE: Micro Linear(TM) and the Micro Linear logo, and FastWave(TM) are
trademarks of Micro Linear Corporation. All other product or service names are
the property of their respective owners. (C) Micro Linear Corporation 2005.
DATASOURCE: Micro Linear Corporation
CONTACT: Michael Sera, Sr. Director of Marketing of Micro Linear
Corporation, +1-408-433-5200, or fax, +1-408-432-7523, or
Web site: http://www.microlinear.com/