News & Events
Xicor Announces ODIN™ Architecture
--Innovative closed loop architecture enables adaptive biasing ~--Ideal for wireless infrastructure applications
MILPITAS, California January 22, 2002 Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq/MNS: XICO) today unveiled ODIN, a new architecture for high performance adaptive closed loop control. This innovative architecture allows systems designers to easily implement "autocorrection" for errors related to time, temperature or other system level effects.
The ODIN architecture features a high precision input stage (comprised of an instrumentation amplifier and a low pass filter) capable of detecting signals as low as 50 millivolts in a 30 volt common mode signal with 1% accuracy over temperature. This input signal is then amplified and compared to a programmable voltage reference. The value of the input (sensed) voltage, relative to the programmable reference, causes an increment or decrement to the programmable bias voltage source. Small changes in the input error signal cause an increment or decrement to the output drive, thereby closing the loop.
The ODIN architecture also supports an on-chip register stack that can be used to store preset bias points, predetermined correction factors, or general-purpose system data.
The first product utilizing the ODIN architecture, the X9470, is targeted at cellular basestation RF power amplifier biasing. This product, in early evaluation at key customers now, supports full static and dynamic autobiasing of LDMOS transistors.
Additional features of the X9470 include temperature compensation and alarm functions. These features significantly reduce component count and cost for cellular basestation designs and improve system reliability, providing advanced warning for power fail, over- or under-voltage, or gate shutdown events.
Gartner Group estimates 2.2 million basestation transceiver units will be shipped in 2002 and this is expected to grow to 3.9 million units in 2005, driven by the rollout of 2.5G and 3G infrastructure. Each basestation transceiver will require from 3-6 LDMOS transistors. Each LDMOS transistor will require bias control similar to that supported by the X9470.
The X9470 will work with 2G, 2.5G and 3G basestation transceivers as well as point to multipoint and wireless local loop systems and is expected to have an average selling price of between $6 and $10.
"The ODIN architecture is a real breakthrough in adaptive bias and control," stated Mike Levis, vice president of marketing at Xicor. "It is exactly the kind of system level biasing problem where Xicor's experience and innovative use of nonvolatile technology for analog trimming excels."
About Xicor
Xicor designs, develops, and markets a wide variety of programmable mixed signal integrated circuits used in networking, computing, communication and industrial applications. The Company's products include digitally controlled potentiometers and system management ICs that allow system designers to digitally control analog functions in signal processing, microprocessor monitoring and power management.
Xicor product, corporate and financial information is readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks may include the impact of competing products and pricing, timely design acceptance by our customers, timely ability to ramp new products into volume production, industry wide shifts in supply and demand for semiconductor products, and other risks detailed from time to time in Xicor's SEC filings.
