austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading designer and manufacturer of highly integrated analog ICs for communication, industrial, medical and automotive applications, supplies its state-of-the-art audio processor chips AS3525 and AS3524 for XM Satellite Radio’s new line of portable satellite radio devices, introduced at the 2006 CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. XM Satellite Radio is North America’s leading digital satellite radio service with more than six million subscribers, offering 160 channels of commercial-free music plus premier sports, information and entertainment programming.

The AS3525 single-chip media player solution contains a complete ARM9-based processor subsystem with on-chip RAM and ROM, a CD-quality audio front-end as well as a highly integrated smart power management and lighting unit. The AS3525 which comes in a compact 13x13mm BGA package drives the new Samsung Nexus digital music player. This portable device conforms to XM Radio’s “Connect and Play” platform with easy interfacing as the XM digital receiver module, the Passport, is contained in the player’s docking station. Music streamed via the XM radio network can be stored on the device and played back together with MP3 and WMA music uploaded by the user via the device’s high speed USB link. In addition, end users can tag songs for later purchase through the XM+Napster service.

The AS3524, similar to the AS3525, works with a specially designed analog front-end which is optimized for the requirements of portable satellite radio applications. The ultra-compact chip comes in a 10x10mm BGA package and can be found in the brand-new Pioneer Inno and Samsung Helix portable satellite radio devices. These models offer full XM music player functionality plus a complete stand-alone satellite radio receiver and appealing high resolution color LCD for easy navigation in one very compact device.

“austriamicrosystems’ highly integrated audio processor solutions enable us to offer our customers exciting new products with excellent audio quality and superior play time in a compelling form factor,“ said Paul Marko, Senior Vice President of Technology for XM Satellite Radio. “With this platform we are well positioned to implement further leading-edge multimedia products which bring the unparalleled variety of our 160 programming lineup of channels to life.”

“We are proud to support the market leader in digital satellite radio and its manufacturing partners with even more audio processing products than in the past,” commented Alexander Harrer, Senior VP and General Manager of Business Unit Communications at austriamicrosystems. “We build on our expertise in low power, high performance analog chip design and manufacturing and our continued dedication to comprehensive system design and application support to deliver best-in-class audio and multimedia solutions to our valued customers.”

About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining almost 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 850 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service Foundry activities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).