London, 13
July 2006: Mirics Semiconductor, a new UK-based RF and mixed signal fabless
semiconductor company operating in the mobile broadcast receiver market, launches the MSI001, the world’s
first poly-band tuner for mobile digital broadcast reception. The breakthrough device is a universal broadcast
receiver that enables designers of mobile phones, portable media players and PDAs, to easily add mobile broadcast
reception to support any global standard. MSI001 has the lowest power consumption and highest performance of any
mobile broadcast receiver currently available. At $3.50 (10,000units) the MSI001 is also the lowest cost. Unusually
for a start-up company, Mirics has working samples of the MSI001 available immediately, which are already being
trialled by key OEMs.
The breakthrough MSI001 chip is the most technically advanced product of its type, capable of receiving
all broadcast standards announced to date, including DVB-H, T-DMB, ISDB-T, DAB-IP, MediaFlo, DAB, DRM and even
AM/FM. Mirics also designed the MSI001 to be configured for the reception of other standards, or unknown future
standards, without any cost or performance penalty. An example of this flexibility is the impending release of the
Chinese MDTV standards. The MSI001 was designed before these standards were announced, yet it supports them through
a configuration option.
The device provides coverage for all major broadcast bands ranging from 100KHz -1.9GHz (covering LW/MW/SW,
L-Band and VHF Bands II, III, and UHF Bands IV and V). MSI001 also has the lowest power consumption of any tuner
announced to date – for example using a mere 46mA in continuous DVB-H operation in the L-Band.
Mirics has
a strong silicon development team with world-leading RF technology, wireless/algorithms, IP, silicon delivery and
system architecture experience, and the skills to lead the mobile broadcast receiver market. The company has the
backing of Europe's largest early-stage technology fund, Pond Venture Partners.
Mirics has a focused strategy, business vision and product roadmap. Following the launch of
MSI001, Mirics will be announcing details of a breakthrough mobile broadcast technology in Q4 2006, with a related
key product planned for launch in Q1 2007.
Simon Atkinson, CEO, Mirics comments: “The mobile broadcast
market is extremely fragmented by multiple standards and band allocations. To date, companies have typically
focused on supporting one or two of the multitude of standards. This fragmentation has been identified as the
principal bottleneck to the wider adoption of mobile broadcast technologies; the small volumes available for any
handset supporting a single standard do not justify its development.”
Atkinson continues: “The multi-standard TV tuner has
been heralded as the ‘holy grail ambition’ for mobile handset design and is a key development target
for our competitors for the next 12 months. Unlike our competitors, Mirics is delivering this technology today, in
the form of working silicon which is available to sample now. MSI001 supports all current digital terrestrial
broadcast standards, and analogue radio, across all terrestrial broadcast bands. It also has the lowest cost
implementation and highest performance of any mobile broadcast receiver currently available.”
Mike Gera, Pond Ventures comments:
“Mirics is well positioned to gain an important first mover advantage in the rapidly emerging mobile
broadcast receiver market. It has the perfect blend of industry experience, innovative talent, a breakthrough
technology and a large and growing target market. We have high expectations for its success.”
---ends---
About Mirics
Mirics Semiconductor Inc. is a start-up RF and mixed signal fabless semiconductor company
delivering innovative solutions for the mobile broadcast receiver market. Founded in 2004 and based in Hampshire,
UK, Mirics has brought together a strong silicon development team with extensive experience in RF technology,
wireless/algorithms, IP, silicon delivery and system architecture. Mirics’ first commercial product, the
MSI001, is the world’s first true poly-band tuner and represents the most technologically advanced product of
its type. Mirics employs a fabless business model with early stage funding from Pond Venture Partners, Europe's
largest early-stage technology fund. Operating in a market that is conservatively expected to exceed $1 billion by
2010, Mirics is well positioned to gain an important first mover advantage in this rapidly emerging market.
www.mirics.com
About Pond Venture Partners
Pond Ventures is
Europe’s largest early-stage technology venture capital fund, leading seed and A round investments including
silicon, software, hardware, wireless, materials, systems, and the intersection of these areas with energy and
medical devices. Pond works closely with entrepreneurs to build European technology into global companies, making
introductions to global customers, building the team, and bringing in quality co-investors. Pond operates as a
cohesive team based in London and Silicon Valley with strong connections in Asia. Partners have technology,
operating and entrepreneurial backgrounds. Pond was founded in 1997 and has over $200 million under management.
Pond is regulated by the FSA.
www.pondventures.com
Further
information:
Ralph Weir, Mirics Semiconductor, Oakmere,
Barley Way, Ancells Business Park, Fleet, Hampshire, GU51 2UT.
Tel: +44 (0) 7796 307945. Email:
ralph.weir@mirics.com
Website: www.mirics.com
Press information:
Chris
King, EML, The Albany Boathouse, Lower Ham Road, Kingston, KT2 5BB.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8408 8000. Email:
mirics@eml.com
