Cirrus Logic Introduces First Digital Power Factor Correction ICs That Surpass Analog PFCs on Performance, Price

Kicking off a new line of products for growing energy-related markets, Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq: CRUS) today unveiled the industry’s first digital power factor correction (PFC) controller ICs that surpass analog PFCs on performance and price. The CS1500 and CS1600 offer power supply and lighting ballast system designers improved performance and simplified designs compared to legacy analog PFC products. Both ICs are priced on par with analog PFCs, while also lowering the overall bill of materials by up to $0.25.

PFC is required in many electronic applications around the world, as global regulations are pushing to improve the overall efficiency of the utility grid. Analog PFC chips are nearing the end of their capabilities to meet increasingly strict global regulatory requirements and efficiency standards, and new digital solutions enable continued performance and feature improvements designed to meet future market demands.

“Global regulations for power efficiency will become increasingly more challenging long term, and we expect a transition in the PFC market away from analog and into digital PFC products, just as the digital transition has transformed many other markets,” said Linnea Brush, senior research analyst, Darnell Research.

Featuring the new EXL Core™ architecture, with its currently 53 patented and patent-pending digital algorithm technologies, the CS1500 and CS1600 have the advantage over analog products of being able to intelligently solve increasingly complex power management challenges. Through its patent-pending digital noise shaping technology, both the CS1500 and CS1600 enable reduced-sized EMI filters, which cut the need for additional high-priced components and circuitry. Additionally, these digital ICs improve energy efficiency across all load conditions, with a distinct performance advantage in light load conditions, and simplify system designs by reducing external component count by more than 30 percent.

“We’re bringing disruptive digital technology to applications that are currently dominated by analog solutions,” said Jason Rhode, president and chief executive officer, Cirrus Logic. “Until today, no one has been able to develop a digital PFC controller that offers both performance improvements and cost savings compared to analog-based PFCs.”

For more information on global regulations and power consumption challenges within applications, see the Cirrus Logic White Paper: The Digital Imperative: The Rising Wave in Power Factor Correction (PFC) Techniques.

As global regulatory agencies drive improved efficiency requirements in consumer products, the total PFC market is anticipated to expand from 1.2 billion units in 2009 to 2.4 billion units in 2013, according to Ryan Sanderson, senior research analyst, IMS Research.

“Looking ahead, we’re developing a strong roadmap of digital energy control products, focusing on solving real-world challenges through innovative signal processing technologies in new markets that will help drive our long-term growth,” Rhode added.

Product Information, Pricing and Availability

The CS1500 and CS1600 are digitally controlled, discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), active power factor correction ICs intended for use in power supplies rated up to 300 watts. The CS1500 is designed to address power supplies such as laptop adapters, digital TVs and PC power, while the CS1600 targets electronic lighting ballasts.

The CS1500 and CS1600, which are available in an 8-pin SOIC package, are available today and priced at $.30 in quantities of 1,000,000.

Cirrus Logic’s EXL Core

The EXL Core is a digital technology platform at the heart of Cirrus Logic’s commitment to develop innovative solutions that help its customers create cost-effective, smarter, greener energy products.

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

Cirrus Logic develops high-precision, analog, digital and mixed-signal integrated circuits for a broad range of innovative customers. Building on its diverse analog, digital and signal-processing patent portfolio, Cirrus Logic delivers highly optimized products for a variety of audio and energy-related applications. The company operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, with offices in Tucson, Ariz., Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release contain forward-looking statements, including market forecasts, statements regarding the transition from analog PFC to digital PFC products, and future revenue growth opportunities. In some cases, forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “project,” “believe,” “goals,” “opportunity,” “estimates,” “intend,” and variations of these types of words and similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to our plans, expectations, strategies or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: overall economic pressures and general market and economic conditions; overall conditions in the semiconductor market and customer demand; and the risk factors listed in our Form 10-K for the year ended March 27, 2010, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at www.sec.gov. The foregoing information concerning our business outlook represents our outlook as of the date of this news release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new developments or otherwise.

Cirrus Logic, Cirrus and EXL Core are trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.

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