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Xicor® Introduces World's First Dual Non-Volatile Linear Taper 32-Tap Digitally Controlled Potentiometer

-- X93254 sets new standards in performance and integration while maintaining both low power and low pricing

MILPITAS, California – December 15, 2003 – Xicor, Inc. (NASDAQ: XICO), a leading supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, today announced the industry’s first dual non-volatile linear taper 32-tap digitally controlled potentiometer with the introduction of the X93254.

Building upon the success of the X93154, the X93254 device offers two ultra low power XDCPs in a single package at a highly competitive price to address new market needs for high volume and space constrained applications. Both of the digitally controlled potentiometers in the X93254 feature separate 32-tap wipers with independent up/down interfaces. Along with dissipating ultra low power at 1 microamp maximum standby supply current, the X93254 also achieves less than ± 0.2 least significant bit (LSB) typical differential non-linearity (DNL).

By being digitally adjustable, the X93254 can help customers prevent stability issues due to vibration or shock in their systems commonly associated with mechanical potentiometers. Furthermore, unlike onetime programmable or volatile solutions, the X93254 integrates non-volatile memory for the wiper position to help lower the programming current and to eliminate additional high voltage supplies required by one-time programmable products.

The simple up/down interface can be used for personalized environments such as LCD contrast and backlight brightness control in cell phones, PDAs and GPS receivers. The integration of two reprogrammable solid-state potentiometers with independent up/down interfaces is important in systems requiring multiple gains, reference voltage and bias calibrations such as common mode amplifier biasing and feedback gain adjustments. Other target applications include process controls requiring parameter retention and data acquisition systems requiring preconfigured reference voltage levels.

“Providing customers with two ultra-low power potentiometers in a single package was a natural move for Xicor,” stated Sidney Chan, product marketing engineer. “With the new X93254 series, Xicor is further broadening its XDCP line to provide designers with high performance, low power competitively priced DCPs that they can continue to use well into the future.”

Production samples are available in 14- lead TSSOP packaging with 1k unit prices starting at $0.95 USD.

Xicor Corporate Information
Xicor designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits used in communications, computing, networking and industrial applications. Xicor’s Mixed-Signal Products include data conversion products, power management integrated circuits, and application specific standard products and interface devices. Xicor’s programmable analog mixed-signal components regulate, control, convert and manage various voltages and currents using a serial interface and internal EEPROM.

Xicor product, corporate and financial information are 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. "Xicor" is a registered trademark and “XDCP” is a trademark belonging to Xicor Inc.
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