IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 23, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Microsemi (Nasdaq:MSCC), a leading manufacturer of high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits and high reliability semiconductors, today announced that its ASIC design services group has developed a device for smart metering applications that integrates all power-management functions into one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The device is the first of a planned family of both custom and standard products for advanced metering and other Smart Grid applications.
Itron, a leading provider of smart metering and smart grid applications, utilizes the new Microsemi ASICs in its second-generation CENTRON® meter product line, which includes the OpenWay® CENTRON smart meter.
"We are pleased to offer this technology to complement the industry's latest state-of-the-art electricity metering products," said Paul Pickle, Vice President and General Manager of Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group. "Microsemi's power management IC design expertise allows us to create an optimized, reliable solution and extend our power-management expertise into the rapidly growing market for advanced metering and smart grid system equipment. We plan to expand our offering for this segment with additional custom devices and standard, off-the-shelf products, as well."
Working to support the market's emerging product and system requirements, Microsemi has integrated all battery management, power failure, over-current and thermal detection, as well as various other functions, into a single, compact IC. The IC also features temperature compensation, power reset, and energy conservation during power loss, and is offered in a small-footprint 5x4mm QFN package.
According to Pike Research, electricity metering is undergoing its greatest transformation since the first meter was installed more than 120 years ago. Major utilities worldwide, enticed by savings and prodded by governments, are embarking on wholesale replacement of over 45 percent of the North American and European installed base by 2015, breaking the traditional 15-20 year meter replacement cycle. Pike Research forecasts that $19.5 billion of smart meters will be deployed worldwide between 2010 and 2015, with shipments growing at a 19 percent compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) during this period.
About Microsemi
Microsemi Corporation, with corporate headquarters in Irvine, California, is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of high performance analog and mixed-signal integrated circuits, high reliability semiconductors and RF subsystems. The company's semiconductors manage and control or regulate power, protect against transient voltage spikes and transmit, receive and amplify signals.
Microsemi's products include individual components as well as integrated circuit solutions that enhance customer designs by improving performance and reliability, battery optimization, reducing size or protecting circuits. The principal markets the company serves include implanted medical, defense/aerospace and satellite, notebook computers, monitors and LCD TVs, automotive and mobile connectivity applications. More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting its website at .
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"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature, including without limitation statements related to development of a device for smart metering applications that integrates all power-management functions into one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company's products, adverse circumstances in any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi's future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
CONTACT: Microsemi Financial Contact: John Hohener, Executive Vice President and CFO Editorial Contact: Cliff Silver, Corporate Communications Manager (949) 221-7100