TriCN Introduces 90nm Base I/O Libraries

Comprehensive Portfolio of Cells Developed Specifically For High-Performance Interface Applications

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - January 20, 2004 - TriCN, a leading developer of intellectual property (IP) for high-speed semiconductor interface technology, today announced the immediate availability of its Base I/O library in the 90 nanometer (nm) process. Broadly applicable to a wide variety of interface application requirements, TriCN’s Base I/O library is a comprehensive set of cells containing all elements necessary for pad ring assembly. The library is currently available in the TSMC process, and the company has secured multiple design wins that have resulted in tape-out.

TriCN’s Base I/O library is particularly well suited to the demands of high-performance interface applications. The cells are designed to accommodate more robust power and ground demands, allowing for an effective area gain compared to competing libraries. All cells feature built-in noise isolation to provide improved operation and reliability in high-performance applications. Additionally, the library is designed to support not only bond-wire, but also flip-chip packaging typically found in high-speed ICs.

"As high-performance interface specialists, we need to ensure that our interface IP stays in-step with emerging geometries," explains Ron Nikel, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of TriCN. "We're seeing substantial interest in our Base I/O libraries from both semiconductor companies and foundries, which is why we've moved aggressively to accommodate increasing demand for our pad ring assembly cells in chip designs moving to 90 nm."

TriCN’s library is well-differentiated from competing products on the basis of the variety of cells offered, as well as the performance and flexibility of those cells. Along with the standard array of Corners, Breakers, Power and Ground, and LVTTL/LVCMOS cells, TriCN’s Base I/O Library includes higher performance HSTL, SSTL-2, PCI 2.2, PCI-X 1.0, and USB 1.1, cells currently lacking in most competitive offerings.

Availability
TriCN's Base I/O library is immediately available for flip-chip and bond-wire applications in the TSMC 90nm, 130nm, and 180nm processes. The library is also supported in the IBM, Chartered and Tower processes, and is available in the 180nm and 130nm geometries.

About TriCN
Founded in 1997, San Francisco, California-based TriCN is a leading developer of high- performance semiconductor interface intellectual property (IP). The company provides a complete portfolio of IP for maximizing data throughput on and off the chip, ranging from a Base I/O library to multi-gigabit SerDes products. This IP is designed for IC developers addressing bandwidth-intensive applications in the communications, networking, data storage, and memory space. TriCN's customers range from fabless semiconductor and systems companies to foundries, including Philips, General Dynamics, SGI, IBM, Cognigine, Internet Machines, Apple Computer and Tower Semiconductor.

For more information, please visit TriCN’s web site at www.tricn.com.        

TriCN: High Performance Interface Specialists™