SHANGHAI, China, May 20 /PRNewswire/ --

China International Automotive Electronics Show -- Atmel(R) Corporation
(Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of the new fully integrated
fractional-N PLL RF transmitter IC ATA5749 for car access and TPMS
applications. The new device is one of the very few automotive RF transmitter
ICs that is fully programmable, thus enabling flexible system design and
adaptation. Moreover, it is one of only a few such devices with ultra low
power consumption -- a significant factor for TPMS applications. For both RKE
and TPMS applications, a single crystal type and a single board design (with
only minor modifications) can be used for the standard 315 MHz and 433 MHz
frequency ranges.

The IC's single-ended antenna output power can be adjusted in the range
of -0.5 dBm to 12.5 dBm via an SPI bus interface. In each mode, the lowest
possible current consumption for a given output power can be selected. For
example, when used in a TPMS module, the active current consumption in
transmission mode at an output power of 5.5 dBm is 7.3 mA (typical) and 8.8
mA (maximum). This is about 20% less than the values of currently available
solutions on the market. Lower current consumption, of course, results in a
longer battery lifetime, a critical factor for TPMS applications.
Furthermore, in extreme weather conditions, the battery lifetime is superior
to comparable products.

In the event of a change in system specifications, where the output power
needs to be adjusted, the current consumption of the ATA5749 can be optimized
accordingly. The active current consumption is scalable by output power
programming via SPI in 1-dB steps. This enables designers to fine tune system
performance, in particular, RF link budget versus battery lifetime.

In addition to output power adjustments, the SPI bus interface also
enables the programming of other key parameters such as output frequency, FSK
signal deviation, and CLK output frequency.

The ATA5749 operates at a maximum data rate of 40 kbit/s in FSK and ASK
mode using Manchester coding, and at an RF frequency in the range of 300 to
450 MHz. The IC incorporates a robust crystal oscillator with fast start-up
time of typically 200 us and a guaranteed parameter for negative resistance
oscillation margin of 1,500 Ohm. This results in high reliability and helps
avoid sleeping crystal issues. Only one 13.000000 MHz crystal type is needed
for the standard frequency ranges 314.1 to 329.5 MHz and 424.5 to 439.9 MHz,
resulting in nearly identical hardware board design for the regional RF
modules, lower inventory costs, and reduced part number proliferation.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the ATA5749 RF transmitter IC are available now in
small-outline TSSOP10 packages. Pricing starts at US $1.25 for 10k-piece
quantities. A demonstration board for development support is also available.

Footnote
    ASK = Amplitude Shift Keying
    CLK = Clock
    FSK = Frequency Shift Keying
    PLL = Phase Locked Loop
    RKE = Remote Keyless Entry
    SPI = Serial Parallel Interface
    TPMS = Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems

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, and others are registered trademarks, or trademarks of
Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.

Information

Product information on Atmel's new PLL RF transmitter IC ATA5749 may be
retrieved at: http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?part_id=4328

Press Contacts
    Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
    Products
    Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com
    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
    Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com



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