NCTI Acquires Advancel Logic Corp. Developer of Chip That Executes Sun Microsystems' Java
Business Wire - September 09, 1998 11:20
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1998--
Breakthrough Chip Design for Smart Cards and Other Embedded Markets
Noise Cancellation Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCTI) today announced the acquisition of Advancel Logic Corp (ALC), a Silicon Valley-based developer of chips that execute Sun Microsystems' Java(tm) code. The closing of this acquisition was completed on September 4, 1998. NCTI will port its extensive suite of noise canceling and related algorithms and license them for use with the chips. Additionally, NCTI will use the chips in its own products.
The ALC chip family is designed to be in conformance with Sun Microsystems' Java roadmap. ALC-designed silicon chips will enable application developers of consumer-related embedded solutions to create highly efficient and cost effective solutions in small packages. ALC is licensing its family of chip designs to chip fabricators.
"This acquisition is an important element in the execution of our company's strategy to deploy NCT technologies in large, high-growth markets," said Michael J. Parrella, president of NCTI. "Advancel has demonstrated truly impressive advanced technical expertise in the explosive embedded solutions market where computer functionality will be delivered to everyday consumer products."
Mr. Parrella continued, "Implementing a chip family that executes Java instructions in hardware, as Advancel has, creates an ideal hardware platform for the development of "smart" products that are low cost and power efficient, yet functional. The combination of Advancel's chips and NCT's algorithms will deliver benefits for a wide range of applications including smart cards, speech-driven products for home, automotive and communications, and digital communications devices such as hearing aids, headsets and hardware internet phones."
The first chip of the Advancel chip family, TINY2J 32 (TinyTinyJava with 32-bit instructions), is targeted to execute Java instructions to meet the requirements of Sun Microsystems' Java Card and Embedded Java environments. Additional extensions of the original Advancel design are in process and range from one that will satisfy the low-power requirements of small appliance applications up to a chip capable of handling more intensive applications and executing Java code for the Embedded Java and PersonalJava(tm) solutions. Chip designs will be enhanced continuously with capabilities embraced by Sun Microsystems. Potential enhancements include floating point arithmetic, DSP instructions and algorithmic-specific instructions.
The Advancel chip roadmap maps onto the Sun Microsystems Java roadmap as follows:
1. Java Card for Smart Cards: - This is a reduced environment designed to address the very small solutions. The Tiny2J32 (Tiny Tiny Java code execution with 32 bit instructions) chip will execute Java code for this environment. The chip is priced accordingly and will allow for the development of smart solutions in small packages. Application: Smart Cards.
2. Embedded Java: - This is an execution environment designed to supply solutions for embedded applications. Advancel has designed a chip we call Tiny J32 (Tiny Java code execution with 32 bit instructions) for these applications. A second version of the chip Tiny J16 (Tiny Java code execution with 16 bit instructions) will be developed for applications where power consumption is critical. Applications: Small appliances, telephones, answering machines, televisions, VCRs, security modules, cameras, cellular phones, two way radios, radios, home theater systems, stereo systems, radios, toys, watches, single source noise cancellation systems, hearing aids, headsets, headphones, alarm clocks, electronic books and magazines, set top cable boxes, large appliances, command and control for cars, command and control for PBX telephones, IP telephony, computer telephony, interactive games, navigation systems, failure diagnostics, multi-channel noise cancellation system, audio control systems, etc.
3. PersonalJava: - This is a Java environment for execution of more complex solutions such as Personal Digital Assistants. This environment needs to manage more complicated communications protocols and user interfaces. Advancel has designed a Tiny J32 chip (Tiny Java code execution with 32 bit instructions) and a Super J64 chip (Super Java code execution with 64 bit instructions) to execute Java instructions for these solutions. Applications: Workstations, personal digital assistants, network communications, etc.
Advancel Logic Corporation is a developer of Java processor cores for the Smart Card and Embedded markets. Advancel excels in these markets by providing application/algorithm specific features targeted to advanced embedded technologies. For more information, refer to the company's World Wide Web site at advancel.com.
NCTI is a leading technology developer with an extensive portfolio of proprietary algorithms and a wide variety of product offerings for consumer, commercial and industrial applications. The Company specializes in the utilization of sound and signal waves to reduce noise, improve signal-to-noise ratio and enhance sound quality. For more information, refer to the company's World Wide Web site at nct-active.com. Java(tm) and PersonalJava(tm) are trademarks of Sun Microsystems
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 (the "Act"), which became law in December 1995. In order to obtain the benefits of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act for any such forward-looking statements, the Company wishes to caution investors and prospective investors about significant factors, which among others, have in some cases affected the Company's actual results and are in the future likely to affect the Company's actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Investors and prospective investors should read this press release in conjunction with the Company's most recent Form 10-K and Forms 10-Q.
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