austriamicrosystems' Highly Integrated Power Management and Audio Unit Powers Falk F-Series, the World's Flattest Portable Navigation Device

austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, today announced that Falk, a leading provider of Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs), has selected the AS3654 Power Management Unit for its latest F-Series, successfully launched in Q4 2007. The AS3654 power management IC is an ultra-flexible, highly integrated smart power management unit that includes high performance voltage regulators, a lighting management unit, step down battery charger, stereo audio DAC, housekeeping functions and an audio amplifier featuring sophisticated ground noise cancellation to improve sound quality in the car. The AS3654 is particularly suited for portable navigation devices, media players and a broad range of other handheld electronics. With an overall height of only 17 millimeters, the new Falk F-Series Portable Navigation Devices are the flattest and arguably most elegant navigation devices in the widescreen class currently available. The F-Series also offers a wealth of new features such as a lane assistant, text-to-speech and a speed limit warning function. Matthias Möhlig, Chief Technology Officer at Falk Marco Polo GmbH, Germany, commented: "The high integration level of austriamicrosystems’ AS3654 power management unit was an important advantage to reach a small system form factor for the Falk F-Series. The F-Series range of Portable Navigation Devices offers all the latest features in a slim, elegantly designed package.” Mango Research, a long-term co-operation partner of austriamicrosystems based in Taiwan, was responsible for the system design of the Falk F-Series. "austriamicrosystems’ AS3654 Power Management Unit enabled us to come up with a space optimized design, high level of functionality and superb audio quality while delivering an attractive overall system cost,” stated Eric M.S. Lee, Director of Product Management/Marketing & Sales at Mango Research. Markus Luidolt, Marketing Manager Mobile Consumer at austriamicrosystems, added: "Integrating high performance power management and audio in one IC is the key to longer battery life, fewer external components, reduced board space and lower system cost. austriamicrosystems’ state-of-the art power management and audio units such as AS3654 are delivering best-in-class performance, proven in millions of portable devices.” The AS3654 power management unit offers a full range of advanced features for power monitoring, battery management and charging. The IC is controlled via a serial interface and integrates all necessary system functions such as clock, reset and interrupt generation as well as voltage and temperature monitoring. austriamicrosystems will demonstrate the AS3654 at CES in Las Vegas in January 2008 where the AS3658 Power Management Unit will be launched as the latest addition to the successful product family. Both AS3654 and AS3658 are offered in BGA packages and are fully software compatible. About austriamicrosystems austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining more than 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 1,000 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service Foundry activities.