SAN JOSE, California, April 7 /PRNewswire/ --

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of
its FingerChip Security Chipset which provides a highly secure, high
performance, small and cost effective biometric solution. This new chipset
combines Atmel's highly sensitive and rugged AT77C104 FingerChip(R)
fingerprint sensor and the AT91SAM7FP105 FingerChip Security Processor, a
dedicated low power, 32-bit based co-processor, a complete biometric solution
for PC and embedded applications.

Small size is achieved with the use of a unique embedded biometric
matching engine, which achieves exceptional FAR/FRR performance with very
small memory footprints and minimal processing requirements. This, combined
with the use of low cost CMOS processing and efficient high volume packaging
methods for the sensor, offers a cost-effective, fully embedded, biometric
chipset.

Privacy, security and convenience. For PC-based platforms, the FingerChip
Security Chipset provides the ultimate solution for security and privacy. All
biometric processing is on-chip, ensuring that a user's fingerprint image and
template remain private and secure at all times. Any transfer of data is
encrypted and subjected to challenge/response algorithms to ensure protection
from all methods of attack. The FingerChip Security Chipset supports many
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) functions, enabling it to securely authenticate
TPM devices with a fingerprint match for embedded applications. In addition
the FingerChip Security Chipset adds SPI and UART interfaces, which combined
with a full featured API and command set enables biometric authentication to
be added easily to any embedded application, and controlled by any small, low
cost microcontroller acting as a Host. The chipset is provided with a full
reference design for rapid platform integration and fast time-to-market.

High performance, rugged biometric sensor. The Atmel FingerChip sensor
utilizes a thermal-based technology, highly sensitive to the slightest
variation in fingerprint topographies, making it uniquely able to provide
excellent image quality with poor fingers and under difficult capture
conditions. The technology also offers industry-leading ESD protection,
mechanical robustness and strong fake finger rejection.

Availability. The FingerChip Security Chipset is available now.

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.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and
combinations thereof, FingerChip(R), and others, are registered trademarks,
or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's FingerChip fingerprint sensor product information may be
retrieved at http://www.atmel.com/products/Biometrics/

Press Contacts:
    Nancy Moore, Marketing Communications Manager
    Tel: +1-719-540-3262, Email Nancy.Moore@atmel.com
    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
    Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com



Web site: http://www.atmel.com