• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Artesyn Technologies and Summit Microelectronics Enter Into Strategic Cooperation Agreement for Power Systems Control -- Programmable Solutions for Next-Generation Distributed Power Architectures

Posted on: Monday, 16 August 2004, 06:00 CDT

BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Artesyn Technologies, Inc. and Summit Microelectronics, Inc. have entered into a Strategic Cooperation Agreement to develop comprehensive power system control and conversion solutions. The agreement combines the strengths of both companies to define and provide the next generation of semiconductors and modules for DPA (Distributed Power Architecture) designs targeted at telecommunications and data-communications systems.

Under the agreement, Artesyn Technologies and Summit Microelectronics will share applications knowledge, circuit design solutions, market trends and other proprietary information to define architectures and products that enhance power control capability to support the communications infrastructure marketplace. First products from the agreement will be released to market before the end of 2004.

Summit's semiconductor solutions integrate control logic with precision analog circuits and embedded nonvolatile memory (EEPROM). The control ICs are programmable through an on-chip I2C(TM) (pronounced I squared C) interface via a supplied Windows-compatible Graphical User Interface development software system. This enables Summit to provide platform based solutions that address the growing complexity of power needs of IC's moving toward finer process geometries, higher densities and lower and multiple voltages. Summit addresses these requirements by providing configurable devices that guarantee critical circuits will turn on and off in the proper sequence, receive precise specified voltages, monitor/record faults, and reset the system if necessary, resulting in improved control, flexibility, reliability and cost. For example, Summit's proprietary Active DC Output Control (ADOC)(TM) technology enables the control of any voltage to within +/- 0.2% accuracy.

"We are excited to work with Artesyn Technologies. Their number two global ranking in DC/DC power conversion as well as leadership position in the expanding point-of-load market, coupled with Summit's expertise in power control, makes this an ideal partnership," stated Chuck Berghoff, President and CEO of Summit Microelectronics. "By combining our efforts, we can quickly offer competitive solutions to today's problems, while ensuring future product offerings that address the constantly evolving power control and conversion architecture needs of our OEM customers."

"There is a growing need for more precise power and system control in communications infrastructure equipment, networking, storage and server systems. Summit Microelectronics is the dominant supplier of semiconductor solutions for configurable power management within our targeted applications," said Joe O'Donnell, CEO and Chairman, Artesyn Technologies, Inc. "This relationship allows Artesyn access to advanced silicon technology used in these complex applications, and represents another step in our strategy of partnering with leading silicon companies to extend our lead in the fast growing market for Distributed Power solutions."

About Artesyn Technologies, Inc.

Artesyn Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Boca Raton, FL, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and sale of power conversion and single- board computing solutions for infrastructure applications in telecommunications and data-communications systems. The products are used in middle to high-end servers, data storage devices, routers, hubs, high-speed modems, RF amplification systems, base station controllers and transceivers. The Company has a global sales reach with design and manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe and North America. Artesyn is a public company whose common stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol ATSN. For more information, please visit the Company's web site at http://www.artesyn.com/.

About Summit Microelectronics, Inc.

Founded in January 1997, Summit is a privately held, well-funded fabless semiconductor company headquartered in San Jose, California. Summit specializes in the design and manufacture of integrated circuits that incorporate both analog and digital technologies, focusing on products that ensure system power integrity with configurable intelligent power management platform solutions, Summit Microelectronics is the leading supplier of integrated circuits for programmable power management platform solutions to the communications, computing, automotive, consumer and military markets. For more information please visit http://www.summitmicro.com/.

I2C is a registered trademark of Philips Electronics N.V.

ADOC is a registered trademark of Summit Microelectronics, Inc. meaning Active DC Output Control.

Artesyn Technologies

CONTACT: Pamela Rembaum, Director, Investor Relations, ArtesynTechnologies, +1-561-451-1028, or pamela.rembaum@artesyn.com; or Rick Davies,Vice President, Marketing, Summit Microelectronics, +1-408-436-9890

Web site: http://www.artesyn.com/http://www.summitmicro.com/

More News in this Category