Press Release
IXYS' MICRONIX DIVISION ANNOUNCES STANDARD DRIVER IC THAT ENABLES HIGH RESOLUTION eBOOK
SANTA CLARA, CA. - April 8, 2004 – IXYS Corporation (Nasdaq:SYXI - News) announced today that its Micronix division, a global leader in analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the emerging display markets, unveiled the industry's first standard product driver for Electronic Paper displays based on E Ink Corporation's electronic ink technology. The new display driver IC, the MX834, targets emerging markets which value ultra-low power, easy-to-read displays for use in portable devices.
"Micronix's announcement of general availability is an important milestone for the display industry. What you are seeing today are the signs of a robust global supply chain emerging around paper-like displays," said John Ritter, Vice President of Development at E Ink, "We are specifically recommending Micronix' MX834 driver to our customers because it has been designed for paper-like displays and is a cost-effective solution that is available today."
The first commercial application for the MX834 is in a display module manufactured by Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI). This display module is used in a new e-book reader that is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in late April. The Philips display module utilizes E Ink's revolutionary electronic ink technology that offers a paper-like reading experience with contrast that is the same as newsprint.
"We teamed with Micronix for this new e-book development, because of their expertise in displays and mixed signal solutions," said Paul Spijkers, Manager Electronic Paper Displays with Philips Mobile Displays Emerging Display Technology. "Micronix provided us significant time to market and cost advantages that enabled Philips to meet our tight development schedules."
The cascadable MX834 features a selectable and flexible serial-input parallel-output digital shift register with level conversion on each parallel output which converts digital bits into positive, or negative analog output voltages. The MX834 is uniquely suited to drive both segmented and active matrix displays utilizing E Ink's electronic ink technology. Manufactured in a high voltage CMOS process, the MX834 is available in gold-bumped-die form, 48 mm super-wide Tape Carrier, and 352 pin BGA for prototype development.
"Paper-like display technologies are enabling new applications where readability and power are key," stated Bob DeCaro, Vice President and General Manager of Micronix. "Products such as e-books, electronic signs and plastic flexible displays with 'Micronix inside' can have the brightness of paper and can retain images for days, weeks, or even years when the power is removed. Micronix's drivers, such as the new MX834, are enabling these revolutionary products."
High contrast and low-power applications, such as e-books, e-labels, non-volatile electronic signage, and personal digital assistants are ideal candidates for non-volatile zero-power display technologies such as E Ink's. With such displays, power is consumed only when the image is updated, and view-ability performance is comparable to newspaper, from very low ambient light to bright sunlight.
About MICRONIX And IXYS
Micronix, a leader in the design of high-performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits for the emerging display markets, has produced over 300 application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and application specific standard products (ASSP) for the display, communications, industrial, and medical markets. Micronix is a subsidiary company of IXYS Corporation, a leading supplier of higher power semiconductors and modules for the global power market. Additional information about Micronix and IXYS can be found at: www.claremicronix.com, and www.ixys.com.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of EUR 29 billion in 2003. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patients monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 164,500 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at: www.philips.com/newscenter.
About E Ink Holdings
Founded in 1992 by Taiwan's leading papermaking and printing group YFY (1907.TW), E Ink Holdings Inc. "E Ink" (8069.TW) is the pioneer of TFT and ePaper business in Taiwan. Its corporate philosophy aims to deliver revolutionary products, user experiences, and environmental benefits through advanced technology development. This vision has led to its continuous investments in the field of ePaper display as well as its 2008 acquisition of Hydis Technologies, manufacturer of the world's best wide viewing angle LCDs and its 2009 acquisition of E Ink Corp., the worldwide leader in ePaper. Listed in Taiwan's GreTai Securities Market and the Luxembourg market, E Ink is now the world's largest supplier of displays to the eBook market. For corporate information, please visit www.einkgroup.com; for EPD information, please visit www.eink.com / tw.eink.com; and for FFS information, please visit www.hydis.com.