ITE Announces Windows^® CE LCD/VGA Controller

• Supports Four of the Most Popular Windows CE Compliant 32-bit MPUs for Mobile Devices
• Power Management Reduces Overall System Power Consumption

Taipei, Taiwan, June 2, 1998 -- Integrated Technology Express, Inc. (ITE) today announced a high-performance, high quality, low-power consumption LCD/VGA controller. The IT8181’s versatility allows it to support up to four of the most popular Windows CE compliant 32-bit MPUs plus PCI buses for mobile, embedded and multimedia devices.

With its high display quality and graphical performance, the IT8181 was designed specifically for Windows CE mobile, embedded and multimedia devices such as Sub-subnotebook PCs, Auto PCs, Windows CE-Based Terminals (WBTs), DVD Players, Game Consoles, Videophones, Point of Sales (POS) and more.

The new controller has integrated a 128-bit BLT engine including 2D and line drawing accelerators, which greatly enhance the graphical performance of Windows applications.

The IT8181 operates from a 3.3V supply and attaches directly with the 32-bit buses that interface to the Hitachi SH7750, the NEC VR4111/VR4121, the Philips PR32100 and the Toshiba TX3922, all which support Windows CE.

According to Edward Chen, Director of Windows CE Development, "The IT8181 is a stand-alone controller that succeeds the LCD controller integrated in the IT8101, which is the first generation ITE companion chipset designed for H/PCs (Handheld PCs), currently being shipped in volume.

"Because ITE is dedicated to Windows CE, we strive to apply the technologies we have refined over the years by designing cost-effective, high quality ASSPs (Application Specific Standard Products) and ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) for use in Windows CE-based platforms."

Mr. Chen continued, "We will continue to devote extensive resources to the development of devices that support future generations of Windows CE-based platforms."

The IT8181 supports a wide range of LCD panel interfaces including TFT, DSTN and STN. Among these, the DSTN LCD panel allows OEMs the option to choose a high quality, cost-effective display panel for Sub-subnotebook PC applications.

The new controller provides resolution ranging from 640x480 to 1024x768, providing system integrators’ flexible product segmentation for their devices.

The IT8181’s 16/32-bit memory interface provides tremendous flexibility for external EDO DRAM configurations, giving OEMs the option to use cost-effective configurations when designing their devices.

The IT8181 has integrated a RAMDAC and two PLLs, which support both a pixel and a memory clock. With the integration of these two features, the IT8181 significantly reduces the final product’s display sub-system Bill of Material (BOM).

The controller’s power management supports software programmable standby, suspend mode and panel power down sequencing, reducing overall system power consumption when the platform is not in use.

The IT8181 is priced at $18 for a 208-pin, LQFP (Low-Profile Quad Flat
Package) in quantities of 1,000. The chip is also available in a 208-pin, PQFP (Plastic Quad Flat Package). Both devices are sampling now with production in September.

Willy Peng, Manager, Sales, Integrated Technology Express, Inc., 15F, No. 376, Jen-Ai Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei, Taiwan 106, R.O.C. Telephone: [886]-(2) 2707-9589 X6078. Fax: [886]-(2)-2708-8389. e-mail: willy.peng@ite.com.tw website: www.ite.com.tw

ITE was founded in 1995, and is based in Hsin-Hsu City, Taiwan. The company is in the business of designing and selling high-integration chips that allow engineers to design compact and low power products. The company has expertise in the areas of computer core-logic, peripherals, LCD VGA and power management. ITE is an official Microsoft^® System Integrator and a Windows CE Distributor in Taiwan.

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Hitachi and Super H are trademarks claimed by Hitachi, Ltd. Microsoft and Windows CE are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. NEC is a registered trademark of NEC Corporation. Philips is a trade name claimed by Philips Electronics N.V. Toshiba is a trade name claimed by Toshiba Corporation.