Cirrus Logic Introduces Family of New Chip-on-Glass Column Drivers for the
Notebook Market

New Design Enables Minimum Form Factor, Low Power Display

TOKYO -- JAN. 9, 1996 -- Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) today introduced
two 6-bit column drivers that were developed for chip-on-glass (COG)
applications. The products, for use on thin film transistor (TFT) LCD flat
panels, are a 240-channel DAC column driver (CL-GD6530) and a 258-channel
DAC column driver (CL-FP6540). Both new column drivers combine high-speed
capabilities and superb output uniformity with greatly reduced power
dissipation utilizing a weighted R-string DAC architecture to create an
extremely versatile driver for notebook PC TFT LCD panels.

The new drivers, which reduce power dissipation by 20 to 40 percent over
current implementations, extend battery-based operation of notebook PCs.
The drivers can operate at speeds of up to 65MHz with a 3.3V digital
interface. The efficient architecture and compact design of these new
drivers enable a minimal form factor solution with a 1.3 mm die height and
a total die area of 22.5 mm2.

The small die size allows a COG implementation of a SVGA or XGA TFT panel
with a bezel width much smaller than a conventional tape carrier package
(TCP) driver packaging would permit. This permits a larger viewing area to
be obtained within the same external panel dimensions of previous panels.

"A recent trend for the LCD drivers is to mount the unpackaged driver on
the surface of the LCD glass," noted Douglas J. Bartek, President of
Cirrus Logic's Visual & Systems Interface Company. "This new chip-on-glass
technology is gaining popularity due to the small bezel area that this
technique makes possible. Linked with impressive power conservation
features and high-speed capabilities, this technology sets a new standard
for notebook displays."

New Family of TCP Packaged Drivers

In addition to the new COG drivers, the CL-FP653x 240-channel family of
weighted R-string DAC column drivers are available in TCP versions. These
XGA/TCP or SVGA/TCP 6-bit column drivers feature the same 3.3V/5V
operation and power saving DAC architecture as the COG versions.

All the CL-FP653x column drivers support high-speed operation, enabling
high-resolution, single-bank LCDs with ergonomically correct 75Hz refresh
rates. These devices operate from 3.3V (or 5V), and feature an automatic
stand-by mode. They are available in multiple capacitive drive level
versions, designed to minimize the static power dissipation for a given
pixel charging time.

Reference Voltage Support Chips

Complementing its new COG and TCP column drivers, Cirrus Logic is also
offering two new support chips. The CL-FP6130 is a 9-channel programmable
device, which provides the reference voltages and the current drive
required for TFT-LCD drivers. This new chip also allows the end user or
panel manufacturer to adjust the LCD panel's transmission transfer curve
from various pre-programmed sets of reference voltages stored in an
external EEPROM. This allows the adjustment or matching of contrast and/or
viewing angle for specific applications, provides the ability to
compensate for temperature variations in critical applications, or to
obtain more consistent panel characteristics during the manufacturing
process.

The CL-FP6131 is a cost-effective, 11-channel reference voltage generator
specifically designed for use with the new generation of 300 and 309
output TFT column drivers. It is socket compatible with 9-channel
reference amplifiers currently being utilized in some applications and
offers increased current drive capability with no static power dissipation
penalty.

Packaging, Pricing and Availability

The CL-FP6530 and CL-FP6540 COG drivers are available for $10.00 in sample
quantities. Customized TCP versions of the CL-FP653X 240- channel family
of drivers are also available; pricing varies according to TCP
specifications requested by customers.

The CL-FP6130 is available in 28-pin SSOP and pricing is $6.00 in sample
quantities. Samples of the CL-FP6131 will be available in mid-February
1996 in a 48-pin TSSOP with a sample price of $5.00.

Headquartered in Fremont, Calif., Cirrus Logic is a leading manufacturer of
advanced integrated circuits for the desktop and portable computing,
telecommunications, and consumer electronics markets. The company applies
its system-level expertise in analog and digital design to innovate highly
integrated, software-rich solutions. Cirrus Logic has developed a broad
portfolio of products and technologies for applications spanning
multimedia, communications, system logic, mass storage, and data
acquisition.

NOTE: Recent press announcements and other information about Cirrus Logic
are immediately available on the World Wide Web (http://www.cirrus.com/)
or via toll-free Fax-On-Demand (1-800-359-6414).
 
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