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Six new chips provide state-of-the-art solutions in rapidly growing, cost-sensitive markets for desktop LCD monitors and smart panels, LCD projectors, plasma and rear projection TVs.

Designed to simplify offline power supplies up to 15 W, the L6590 Fully Integrated Power Supply chip from ST Microelectronics (NYSE: STM) integrates a 700V power MOSFET switch, plus all of the control circuits needed to build a converter using flyback, boost or forward topologies. The device operates over the universal input voltage range of 85VAC to 265VAC and also with DC inputs, making it a flexible solution for consumer applications in all world markets.

An on-chip 65kHz oscillator eliminates the need for external oscillator components and a non-dissipative internal startup circuit guarantees high efficiency at light load and also further reduces the external parts count. Standby operating mode ensures high efficiency at light loads (Pin<200mW @ Po=OW) meeting the tightest regulations concerning standby operation. A brownout function prevents spurious turn on at power down and protects against input line undervoltage. In addition, an on-chip error amplifier improves primary regulation, avoiding the cost of an external optocoupler and op-amp feedback network.

Typical applications of the L6590 include wall plug power supplies, AC-DC adapters, auxiliary supplies for CRTs, LCD monitors, desktop PCs and servers, fax machines and laser printers.

Three package versions are available. The L6590D is assembled in a 16-lead SmallOutline package (SO-16W) and provides both the brownout and error amplifier connections. Types L6590N and L6590AN are both assembled in 8-lead DIP packages and exclude either the error amplifier (L6590AN) or the brownout function (L6590N).

Design support for the L6590 includes an evaluation package - order code EVAL6590N that contains samples, an evaluation board and PC software, which simulates the application function. This software assists in the selection of external components and simulates overall application performance. Application notes AN 1261 & AN 1262 - are available from www.st.com.

The L6590 is fabricated using ST s proprietary BCD-Offline technology, which allows the integration of 700V power devices and control circuits on the same chip. This technology is used in a variety of applications including offline power supplies and energy-saving electronic lamp ballasts. BCD-offline is a high voltage implementation of ST's bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology family that is applied in a broad range of smart power applications ranging from simple motor drivers to complex smart power subsystems with embedded micro controllers.

The L6590 is available at $0.75 in 25K quantities.

STMicroelectronies is the world s third largest independent semiconductor company. The Company shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 2000, the Company s net revenues were $7,813.2 million and net earnings were $1,452.1 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.

STMicroelectronics Announces New Generation of System-on-Chip
Display Engines for Flat Panel Displays

Sir new chips provide state-of-the-art solutions in rapidly growing, cost-sensitive markets for
desktop LCD monitors and smart panels, LCD projectors, plasma and rear projection TVs.

San Jose, CA - May 30, 2001 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) today announced a new generation of Display Engine ICs aimed at the rapidly growing markets based on fixed resolution flat panel displays. Key applications are desktop LCD monitors and smart panels, LCD projectors, plasma and rear-projection televisions.

The ADE3xxx family of highly integrated Display Engine ICs delivers unprecedented features to LCD system designers while meeting the most aggressive cost targets. The ADE3xxx line-up covers the full range of applications, from cost-sensitive analog-only and digital-only XGA displays to high-end dual-interface SXGA designs with TV video input. The devices support input resolutions up to UXGA (1600x1200) and output resolutions up to SXGA (1280x1024).

All six ADE3xxx devices include a Digital YUV video input option and a proven, thirdgeneration triple 9-bit ADC with ultra-low fitter line lock PLL. The combination of the ADC and ST's superior IQSync auto calibration circuitry provides the industry's fastest and most accurate Auto-Setup adjustment, thereby minimizing user intervention. In addition, ST's proprietary Secure-DVITM TMDS receiver with High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) enables a direct-to-chip digital design.

All of the new devices incorporate ST's Perfect Picture™ technology, which detects the presence of inherently dark video and picture windows and independently controls brightness, contrast, and gamma to optimize the image without affecting the background Windows desktop settings. Additionally, Perfect Picture intelligently recognizes application content and applies sharpening filters to text-based applications and smoothing filters to graphic-based applications. Up to seven different windows can be detected at one time and independently optimized.

"ST's patented IQ Scaling Engine, with its second generation context-sensitive filter, delivers even sharper text and smoother graphics than previous generation products," says Jean-Pierre Lusinchi, Group Vice President and General Manager of ST's Imaging and Display Division. "With our leading-edge SoC technology and IP portfolio, we are providing manufacturers with the most advanced, the most flexible and the most cost-effective LCD controller solutions."

In addition, ST's enhanced Perfect Color Till technology employs the industry's most sophisticated temporal and spatial dithering technology, enabling the new devices to fulfill the needs of the emerging sRGB color space standard. This proprietary color-calibration technology makes it possible to `warp' individual colors three-dimensionally, providing precise color representation across many different LCD panels and other color input/output devices.

Other key features of the ADE3xxx family include a fully programmable 30-bit gamma table (non-interpolated), ST's Safety Mode™ feature, which delivers a readable, full-color image without the aid of an expensive external frame buffer even when input rates are outside the boundaries of the panel's specification, and a programmable bitmapped or character-based onscreen display (OSD) engine.

To accommodate emerging IQPane1TN1 (smart panel) design concepts, the ADE 3200 (XGA) and the ADE 3250 (SXGA) Display Engines integrate a fully programmable LCD timing controller (TCON) with LVCMOS- and RSDS-compatible Outputs. Integrating this feature reduces material costs and greatly simplifies monitor design. Coupled with the integrated TCON is an integrated pattern generator, which enables fast, convenient, cost-effective final testing of smart panels. These devices also incorporate Spread Spectrum. Data Inversion, Active Slew Rate Control and Per Pin Delay techniques to ensure smart panel applications comply with relevant EMI standards.

ST supports the ADE3xxx Display Engine ICs with a powerful, user-friendly development software package that minimizes development costs and time to market. Additionally, the ADE3xxx product family offers pin-to-pin compatibility between products, allowing a singleboard solution for multiple product segments. Samples of the ADE3xxx Display Engine ICs will be available in July.

STMicroelectronics, Inc., 1000 East Bell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85022-2699. Tel: 602-485-2666; Fax: 602-485-2486.