Fujitsu Announces FlexRay License Agreement with Bosch

FRANKFURT, Germany and SUNNYVALE, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) and Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) today announced that Fujitsu acquired a license to use the FlexRay® Communication Controller IP module from Robert Bosch GmbH. The license will allow Fujitsu to embed precision-designed FlexRay IP into its automotive-control MCUs and quickly bring to market high-quality next-generation products.

Fujitsu currently offers MCUs with the Control Area Network (CAN) and the Local Interconnect Network (LIN) interface protocols for various automotive-control applications, including body and comfort electronics, climate control, dashboards, navigation, safety and sensor electronics, power train, and chassis electronics. In-car control systems of the future will require faster and more reliable data transfer as data volume increases and systems become more complicated. By licensing FlexRay IP from Bosch, Fujitsu will be able to quickly introduce new automotive-control-application products with even faster data-transfer speeds and greater reliability.

FlexRay is a next-generation automotive LAN protocol that features high reliability and is suited for advanced control functions. The FlexRay IP core features data-transfer rates up to 10 megabits per second (10Mbps) and employs a bus system that pre-defines necessary time slots within the transmission bus to realize higher reliability. Embedding FlexRay IP into a single-chip MCU will further advance the performance and range of automotive electronic-control applications.

Fujitsu plans to offer an FPGA prototype board that will enable customers to incorporate FlexRay into their products with ease. The company also intends this year to offer FlexRay as an ASSP standard IP solution, which will make it possible for customers to utilize FlexRay IP with other CPU cores as part of their systems. In early 2006 the first MCU with embedded FlexRay IP, which will be based on the 32-bit Fujitsu FR core, will follow.

Along with its CAN and LIN interface offerings, the new high-speed FlexRay equipped products will enhance and extend Fujitsu's line-up of highly reliable MCUs for automotive-control applications.

The FlexRay Consortium is promoting the standardization of FlexRay as a next-generation, advanced, automotive-control protocol. Bosch is a key member of the FlexRay Consortium.

About Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc.

Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc. (FMA) leads the industry in innovation. FMA provides high-quality, reliable semiconductor products and services for the networking, communications, automotive, security and other markets throughout North and South America. For product information, visit the company web site at http://us.fujitsu.com/micro/mcu

About Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe

Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe (FME) is a major supplier of semiconductor and display products. The company provides advanced systems solutions to the automotive, digital TV, mobile telephony, networking and industrial markets. Engineers from design centers dedicated to microcontrollers, mixed-signal, wireless, FRAM, multi-media ICs and ASIC products work closely with FME's marketing and sales teams throughout Europe to help satisfy customers' system development requirements.

This solutions approach is supported by a broad range of advanced semiconductor devices, IP and building blocks as well as leading-edge LCDs and plasma display panels. For more information visit Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe's website at http://www.fme.fujitsu.com .

NOTE: FlexRay® is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler AG.