SUNNYVALE, Calif. — October 21, 2002 — Continuing the trend toward greater integration and lower power consumption in audio chips, the Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc., today introduced the M61556FP pre-driver and M61558FP power-driver sound processors for digital audio power amplifiers. The new chips replace up to eight components in DVD and AV receivers, car audio systems, and televisions, and offer more than 80 percent power efficiency. Built for the second stage of digital audio power amplifiers that use N-channel MOSFET power transistors, both processors feature built-in bootstrap diodes and protection circuits to prolong the life of audio components.

"Mitsubishi Electric has taken much of the guesswork out of digital audio power amplifier designs by integrating so many previously external components into a small package," said George Riehm, senior marketing manager for consumer products at Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. "The M61556FP delivers value and protection to high-powered audio systems, while the M61558FP delivers the same quality and saves even more board space for price-sensitive audio systems."

A 100-watt pre-driver for Class D digital amplifiers, the M61556FP processor replaces at least four discrete components in an audio system and includes pre-driver, dead-time control, level shifter, clock loss protection, thermal protection, and VDD under-voltage protection circuits. A 30-watt Class D audio power driver, the M61558FP processor provides similar functionality to the M61556FP, except it incorporates four MOSFET power transistors with high-speed switching capability and an over-current protection circuit to prevent system damage. Both processors work well with Mitsubishi Electric’s M65817AFP digital amplifier processor, which is designed to be the first stage of digital audio power amplifiers.

Packaging and Availability
Mitsubishi Electric’s M61556FP pre-driver sound processor is available in a 42-pin surface-mount small outline package (SSOP). The M61558FP power-driver sound processor is available in a 42-pin high-power SSOP (HSSOP) package. Both packages are 17.5-mm x 8.4-mm x 2.2-mm with a 0.8-mm lead pitch.

Samples of both products will be available in January 2003, with volume production scheduled for the third quarter of 2003.

• Built-in N-channel power MOSFETs (1 channel, 30 watts at 6 ohms)
• High-speed switching
• Built-in bootstrap diode
• Built-in protection circuits (VDD under-voltage, over-temperature, over-current)

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About Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc.
Ranked among the top-tier worldwide semiconductor suppliers, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation is a leading manufacturer of application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for motor driver, TV, VCR, fax, disk drive, telephone, communications, and audio/video system applications, as well as standard linear and digital/analog interface ICs. Mitsubishi Electric's ASSPs are manufactured with extensive feature sets that meet specific application requirements and use a standard-cell design approach to reduce chip size, costs, and product development time. The company implements its ASSPs as standard ICs for multiple customers and maps them to singular or multiple applications.

Mitsubishi Electric offers an extensive range of semiconductor-based products and markets them to the North American marketplace through the Electronic Device Group of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc.

Additional information on the Mitsubishi Electric Semiconductor Group is available at http://www.mitsubishichips.com/.

Trademark Information
Mitsubishi and the Mitsubishi logo are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in the USA, Japan, and other countries. Dreama is a trademark of Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics USA, Inc. All other companies and products referenced herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Keywords
Mitsubishi, ASSP, sound processor, pre-driver, power driver, digital audio amplifier, audio.

Positio Investor & Public Relations (for Mitsubishi Electric)
Dave Richardson
(650) 815-1006, Ext. 108
dave@positiopr.com