Equator Technologies has signed manufacturing agreement with Taiw...
Equator Technologies has signed manufacturing agreement with Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Corp. (TSMC), replacing Hitachi as its shifts next-generation media processor. TSMC is expected to start production in May of new MAP-CA processor that operates at 325 MHz, up from…
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current 297 MHz, using 0.13-micron fabrication technology vs. 0.25-micron in previous generation. New media processor will continue with 32 MB memory and same chip architecture including hardwired 3D accelerator and floating point engine. Processor will remain priced at $40 in volumes of 200,000, but goal is to hit under $25 as TSMC shifts production to 0.13-micron next Feb., Pres.-CEO Avi Katz said. Plans call for moving to high-definition (HD)-capable processor operating at 450 MHz and drawing 1 v by late 2002, with 1 GHz version at 0.8 v following year. Shift of chip production to TSMC was significant since Hitachi delivered first Equator media processor in 2000, but Katz said Taiwan manufacturer’s ability to employ 0.13-micron process was deciding factor. At same time, Equator signed agreement with Acer and Samsung to deploy 325 MHz media processor in cable and ADSL set-top boxes (STBs), respectively, by late this year. Acer STB, which will have 32 MB memory, will target cable market in Japan where it has strong installed base, but also seek distribution in U.S., said Robin Wong, product mktg. mgr. for strategic accounts. Acer had been STB supplier for U S West, now part of Qwest Communications. For U S West product, Acer had used Broadcom chip, Wong said.