SYXI Ixys

IXYS Corporation (NASDAQ:SYXI) announced today the release of dimmable and non-dimmable demo kits for light ballast applications. These new kits are the result of the cooperation between IXYS Corporation and Atmel Corporation to develop design tools and speed up the implementation of ballast solutions for the lighting market. They feature Atmel's AVR and 8051 microcontrollers and IXYS' broad range of mixed signal and power management products. The EVLB001 is a dimmable light ballast demo kit while the EVLB002 is a non-dimmable light ballast demo kit. Both kits incorporate a broad range of design features, including universal line input, low harmonic distortion, low stand-by power and various protection features. The dimmable ballast incorporates DALI or one touch "Swiss" control for controlling the dimming level. The dimmable ballast demo kit incorporates Atmel's AT90PWM2 AVR microcontroller, which supports both dimmable fluorescent and HID ballast applications. The 8-Kbyte Flash AT90PWM2 device integrates the DALI protocol, allowing the networking of ballasts to a centralized system for greater flexibility and control of lighting levels, while reducing maintenance and energy costs. The non-dimmable light ballast demo kit uses the AT83EB5114 8051-based microcontroller, developed in partnership with a major lighting manufacturer for non-dimming fluorescent ballasts. The AT89EB5114 and AT90PWM2 are highly- integrated devices featuring 12- or 16-bit enhanced PWM generators, amplifiers and a 10-bit analog-to-digital converter. Both demo kits use IXYS' new rugged PolarHV(TM) power MOSFETs with ultra-low Rds on. In addition, they incorporate some of IXYS mixed-signal power management products including the IXD611 half-bridge driver, with superior noise performance and increased operating voltage capability, as well as the IXI858/IXI859 voltage regulator/gate driver. The IXI858/IXI859, in combination with the IXYS IXTP02N50D depletion-mode power MOSFET, are used to implement the line interface and gate drive requirements for the Power Factor Correction section of the light ballast. Both kits are available for under $200. "Our new microcontroller family will enable great strides for energy-efficient lighting systems, enabling ballast systems with features such as tube power recognition, lamp aging detection and centralized control and communication," said Jean Desuche, Lighting and Motor Control Product Marketing Manager for Atmel. "Our PolarHV(TM) power MOSFETs and mixed-signal IC products enhance the value of the ballast reference designs by maximizing system energy and cost efficiency, while providing superior noise performance and ruggedness," said Don Humbert, Director of Marketing for IXYS Power. About IXYS IXYS is a global leader in Power Semiconductors, Gate Drive ICs and RF Power Devices. With over 20 year's experience, IXYS products are designed to meet the demands of the power market for best-in-class Performance, Quality and Reliability. IXYS product information can be obtained at www.ixys.com. About Atmel Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R). Further information regarding Atmel's AVR microcontrollers and design tools for ballast applications can be found at www.atmel.com. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including the price, performance, ruggedness, and suitability of products for various applications, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of IXYS to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2005. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.