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ATI Taps Virage Logic for Silicon-Proven Embedded Memories

Virage Logic Corp, a leading provider of best-in-class semiconductor IP platforms, announced recently that ATI Technologies Inc has chosen its silicon-proven Area, Speed and Power (ASAP) Memory High-Density (HD) embedded memories for its RADEON 9200 chip series. A world leader in the design and manufacture of innovative 3D graphics and digital media silicon solutions, ATI required the highest performing memories to enable sharp, clear graphics and video imagery, but also to deliver an unbeatable value on UMC's 0.15-micron LV process.

ATI's RADEON 9200 chip series leverages the area-efficient, high-performance ASAP-HD embedded memories. Area optimization starts with the design of the bit cells. Adopting a full custom approach and extensively modeling interconnects allows for a very area-efficient implementation, which makes it ideal for high-volume applications such as the RADEON 9200 series.

"We have been working with Virage Logic for many years and have come to rely on their high-quality, cost-effective IP to enable us to meet the demands of the most price-conscious consumers," said Rick Hagen, director of Hardware Engineering, ATI Technologies. "We chose Virage Logic's ASAP-HD embedded memories because they are silicon-proven on UMC's 0.15LV process, which ensures that our products will go to volume quickly and efficiently."

"ATI is the premier computer graphics chip supplier, and given that embedded memory is so critical to this type of data-intensive design, we are very pleased that they have selected Virage Logic," said Krishna Balachandran, senior director of product marketing, Virage Logic. "ATI's continued support is especially significant as it demonstrates the industry's shift toward integration of best-in-class semiconductor IP for System-on-Chip (SoC) designs."

About The Virage Logic ASAP Memory Product Line

Virage Logic embedded memories are developed using memory design techniques that achieve unprecedented results in yield, area, speed and power. The ASAP Memory product line consists of three product families:

• High-Density (HD): Superior for compact high-volume applications, HD products are optimized for area. The HD product family includes Single Port SRAMs, Dual Port SRAMs, 1-Port Register Files, 2-Port Register Files, and ROMs.
• High-Speed (HS): Superior for high-performance computing and networking applications, HS products are optimized for speed and consume less power than other HS memories. The HS product family includes Single Port SRAMs, Dual Port SRAMs, and Multiport Register Files.
• Ultra-Low-Power (ULP): Designed for battery-powered applications, ULP products achieve dramatic breakthroughs in low power consumption and low voltage operation. The ULP product family includes Single Port SRAMs.