Infineon Debuts “Starter Kit” for Next-Generation Transmission Design with Improved Accuracy to Help Reduce Fuel Consumption

Detroit, Michigan and Munich, Germany – October 17, 2006 – At the Convergence 2006 trade show in Detroit, Infineon Technologies (FSE/NYSE: IFX) is demonstrating a transmission starter kit platform that provides the most precise control in the industry and includes all key integrated circuit (IC) content for next-generation, wide gear ratio automatic transmissions.  The platform is a complete transmission control unit, supporting 5-, 6- and 7-speed gearing designs, based on new Infineon current driver transmission solenoid control ICs, a powerful new 32-bit automotive microcontroller and a new microcontroller power supply IC, as well as other power and communications ICs from Infineon’s broad automotive portfolio.

 

”This starter kit provides our customers with a basic platform for innovation in the design of transmissions that make better use of engine power to deliver smoother operation and improved fuel economy,” said Christopher Cook, General Manager of the Automotive, Industrial and Multimarket (AIM) Business Group, Infineon Technologies North America Corp.  “We are demonstrating how our in-house system knowledge lets us optimize chip design to support solutions for the most demanding applications in the automotive industry, helping our customers meet the needs of automotive OEMs as they design the cars we will drive at the end of this decade.” 

 

Because they provide an improved driving experience and greater overall efficiency, wide ratio gearing is moving from a “premium” feature offered only in luxury vehicles to wide adoption across many types of passenger cars and light trucks.  Typically, a 6-speed transmission can improve fuel economy from three to seven percent, depending on vehicle type.  With a wider span between the highest and lowest gears, compared to traditional 3- and 4-speed transmissions, the new designs demand control electronics that are more precise, flexible and capable. 

 

The starter kit demonstration by Infineon includes components that provide the most precise control in the industry. For example, the two-percent accuracy of the solenoid control ICs far surpasses the five-percent accuracy achieved in a typical four-speed transmission. Key components in the starter kit design include three products introduced by Infineon at Convergence 2006.

Other Infineon components featured on the starter kit design include a CAN (Controller Area Network) transceiver and a range of power devices, including PROFET and multi-channel low-side smart power switches and discrete devices.

 

The software used in the demonstration was designed specifically to prove the functionality of the basic design and demonstrate different gear ratio configurations. Infineon customers would typically develop specific software to optimize the platform for the requirements of particular vehicle designs.

 

The transmission starter kit is being demonstrated in the Infineon booth (#1124) at the Convergence2006 trade show October 16-18, 2006, in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions for automotive, industrial and multimarket sectors, for applications in communication, as well as memory products through its subsidiary Qimonda.  With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the US from San Jose, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore and in Japan from Tokyo.  In fiscal year 2005 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 6.76 billion with about 36,400 employees worldwide.  Infineon is listed on the DAX index of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). 

Further information is available at www.infineon.com . Further information on Qimonda is available at www.qimonda.com.