Akros Announces World’s First Family of Active EMI Suppression Devices with ESD Protection for Ethernet Applications

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Folsom, Calif. December 3, 2007 – Akros Silicon, Inc. today announced the availability of the AS1602 that provides an unparalleled combination of system level EMC compliance and surge protection for Ethernet applications, without impacting data transmission speeds. The device integrates unique active chokes that provide 10dB of additional common mode (CM) noise suppression over the entire Ethernet bandwidth (1MHz to 125MHz), allowing designers to meet Class B compliance (FCC Part 15 or CISPR22) effectively Designing for EMC۝ from early in the design process. Additionally, the AS1602 provides an unprecedented level of ESD protection by enabling the system to exceed +/- 25kV air discharge (IEC 61000-4-2 specifications) and +/-12kV cable discharge event (CDE).

“With the AS1602 featuring active EMI & ESD suppression for Ethernet applications, Akros Silicon is addressing protection requirements for any equipment that connects to LANs,” said Jag Bolaria, senior analyst with the Linley Group. “This product is uniquely positioned in the market as an industry-first due to it being an active device, which provides customers with a system-level protection solution.”

Alternative solutions meet EMI and system ESD requirements through the use of external passive components e.g. diodes/TVS or magnetic chokes. These passive components add significant parasitics that degrade the Ethernet performance requiring multiple design turns to meet the toughest EMC requirements with little margin. In some cases the designs go through a complete re-design in order to meet the tough EMC requirements. By comparison, Akros۪ AS1602 allows designers to solve both EMC and ESD suppression using a single, compact IC, enabling them to get products to market earlier by eliminating the EMC tweaking required in the past.

“EMC compliance is one of the major challenges faced by system designers,” said Ven Shan, vice president of marketing, Akros Silicon. “The AS1602 will help to reduce the arduous hours of debug efforts in the lab and limit or eliminate multiple board spins so customers can avoid product launch delays.”

The AS1602 is placed between the Ethernet PHY and the line transformer. This preserves the integrity of the Ethernet signals by providing very low common mode impedance while maintaining high differential impedance and low differential capacitive loading. It suppresses CM noise in both directions – ingress and egress. This increases the system۪s immunity to CM noise coming from the Ethernet cable, and prevents emission of CM noise to the same cable by compensating for many variables that are the source of noise in Ethernet systems. These variables include: CM noise from Ethernet PHY DACs and drivers, variations in Ethernet line signals caused by Ethernet transformer and passive component mismatches as well as variations in PC board designs and different vendor PHYs.

The AS1602 device enables customers who have already achieved Class A compliance to easily migrate to Class B (CISPR22 and FCC Part 15, Class B requirements for Radiated and Conducted Emissions) or to achieve consistent margin over the entire Ethernet signal bandwidth of 1MHz to 125MHz in 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T applications. Additional EMC margin enables customers to address varying global compliance requirements with one product design for global markets.

10/100 Ethernet applications will use a single AS1602 while Gigabit Ethernet applications will use two AS1602s. The AS1601 is a companion product that provides EMI suppression only. Both products are suitable for a wide range of Ethernet applications including voice over IP (VoIP) phones, security cameras, wireless access points (WAP), set top boxes, networked printers and appliances, desktop and laptop computers.

Key Features of AS1602:

EMI Performance:

  • CISPR22 and FCC Part 15, Class B requirements for Radiated and Conducted Emissions
  • IEC 61000-4-3/6 requirements for Radiated and Conducted Immunity

ESD performance:

  • Robust built-in ESD protection provides additional protection for PHY and improves system
  • IEC 61000-4-2 (air discharge) +/- 25kV (AS1602 only)
  • Cable Discharge Event (CDE) +/- 12kV (AS1602 only)
  • JESD22-A114, ESD, HBM +/- 8kV (AS1602 only)
  • JESD22-A114, ESD, HBM +/- 2kV (AS1601 only)

Other Key Features:

  • Does not degrade Ethernet performance: Passes Gigabit Ethernet return loss with margin
  • Single supply operation (3.3V or 2.5V)
  • Typical power consumption of 90mW, Low power mode of 55mW
  • Industrial temperature range (-40?C to 85?C)
  • Tiny 16-pin QSOP RoHS compliant package
  • The AS1602 is priced at $1.60 for 1K quantity. The AS1601 is priced at $1.23 for 1K quantity.

About Akros Silicon

Headquartered in Folsom, California, Akros Silicon (Akros is a Greek word for edge) is a leading provider of highly differentiated system-level integrated circuits that provide advanced power management to the edge of the network. Akros Silicon۪s disruptive silicon technology enables large scale deployment of network-attached appliances, such as VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, networked cameras, remote access and home-networked systemsaccelerating the convergence of data, audio, and video applications.

Akros Announces an Integrated 30W Powered Device (PD) PWM Controller for the Emerging PoE Plus Applications

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Folsom, Calif. October 2, 2007 – Akros Silicon, Inc. today announced the availability of its AS1130 device, an extension to its family of Power over Ethernet (PoE) Powered Device (PD) controllers. The AS1130 provides the same small footprint and high integration as its predecessors, the AS1113 and AS1124. In addition, the new device provides up to 30W power delivery on the network cable, allowing for the deployment of high-end security cameras and wireless LAN access points.

The first version of the POE specification, IEEE 802.3af, was released in 2003 and provides sufficient power delivery on the network cable to realize Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, basic security cameras and wireless access points (WAP). The success of this first PoE standard has set the stage for remotely powering more sophisticated applications. Pan, Tilt, Zoom (PTZ) Video security cameras, 802.11n wireless LAN access points and remotely powered and controlled switching and routing appliances require higher power than the 13W offered by the 802.3af standard. This prompted the IEEE to develop the 802.3at standard, which is due for letter ballot approval in 2008. The 802.3at standard defines power delivery of up to 30W on an Ethernet Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cable. The AS1130 has been designed to deliver these power levels and meet the emerging 802.3at standards requirements.

“Despite the 802.3at standard being at least a year from final ratification, our research indicates that OEMs are already evaluating and introducing designs based on some version of high powered PoE. By making the AS1130 available to the broader market, Akros has positioned itself to take advantage of the growing number of OEMs not willing to wait for 802.3at ratification,” said Brian Greenberg, senior analyst at Venture Development Corporation (VDC). “The availability of enabling PoE technologies like the AS1130 will open the doors to applications such as multi-band WAPs, RFID readers and other devices that were not previously able to exist in an 802.3af PoE environment.”

Akros۪ innovative silicon solutions, built on standard HV CMOS technology allows for a highly integrated design that includes the PoE PD controller, low Rds hot swap MOSFET and a DC-DC controller.  This level of integration removes approximately 18 external components from the application circuit. The low part count provides for a greater than 50 percent reduction it the PCB layout footprint and a significant BOM cost savings compared to competing solutions. The short interconnect to the RJ-45 jack and the controlled Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) output waveform on the DC-DC controller are both key in reducing radiated emissions and meeting industry Electromagnetic Compliance (EMC) requirements.

The AS1130۪s high level of integration provides significant reliability, protection advantages and simplifies the PoE PD design. The device provides seamless support for local power and over temperature protection. Additionally, pin compatibility between the AS1113, AS1124 and AS1130 allows the designer to support multiple power levels without a complete redesign of the system PCB. Integrating these components also substantially reduces board-to-board variation and increases overall manufacturability and provides the customer with time to market advantage.

The AS1130 also provides advanced power management through integration of a hot-swap switch with a programmable maximum current limit of 800 mA. The DC-DC architecture is a current mode converter which can be configured with external component changes for either fly-back, forward, or buck topologies to support non-isolated or isolated switching topologies. The AS1130 device includes a series of platform tested circuit capabilities to assist system designers in providing solutions that meet or exceed the current regulatory and extreme environmental usages. Specifically, the device supports the two finger classification and is backward compatible to current 802.3af customer needs. Akros offers optimized yet flexible silicon solution enabling its customers to bring to market higher performance PoE PD products with low cost and small footprint.

The AS1130 is fully integrated and architected at a system level to provide the following features:

  • Fully supports IEEE Std. 802.3af-2003 and supports pre-standard IEEE  Std. 802.3at-2006 power needs
  • Meets IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6 and IEC 60950 requirements for Surge, EMI and Isolation
  • Integrated surge protection for board level surge meets > 16.5kV air discharge (IEC61000-4-2), > 8kV contact discharge (IEC61000-4-2) and > 6kV       Surge (IEC61000-4-5)
  • Integrated DC-DC converter with reduced EM emission for CISPR22/FCC part 15 Class B applications
  • Programmable DC current limit up to 800mA
  • Provides extended classification levels for higher power PD applications (pre 802.3at compliant)
  • Provides seamless support for local power
  • Over temperature protection

In its most recent 5-year forecast, Dell’Oro Group predicts that PoE shipments will grow from 32M ports in 2006 to 145M ports in 2011.

“The AS1130 is the industry۪s first footprint compatible, fully scalable and thermally robust PD/PWM controller to address the entire range of networked applications to 30W. This compact, highly integrated PD/PWM controller is footprint compatible with AS1113 and AS1124 meets 802.3af and pre-802.3at standards,” said Ven Shan, vice president of marketing, Akros Silicon. “The device۪s flexible current mode architecture allows multiple AS1130۪s ICs to be synchronized for load sharing enabling much higher power levels to 60W to address the needs of fast growing high power Ethernet appliances that are powered by the networks.”

AS1130 is available in a 20-pin QFN, Reduction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) compliant, and package. The device is priced at $1.66 for 1kU quantity.

About Akros Silicon

Headquartered in Folsom, California, Akros Silicon (Akros is a Greek word for edge)  is a leading provider of highly differentiated system-level integrated circuits that provide advanced power management to the edge of the network. Akros Silicon۪s disruptive silicon technology enables large scale deployment of network-attached appliances, such as VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, networked cameras, remote access and home-networked systemsaccelerating the convergence of data, audio, and video applications.

Akros Releases World۪s Smallest Footprint Power over Ethernet Powered Device Family

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Folsom, Calif. May 22, 2007 – Akros Silicon, Inc. today announced the availability of its AS1100 family of devices offering the smallest footprint and highest integration for Power over Ethernet (PoE) Powered Device (PD) applications. The AS1100 family enables customers to bring to market higher performance products including VoIP phones, IP security cameras and wireless LAN access points.

With video surveillance rapidly migrating to IP networks, Mark Kirstein, vice president of multimedia content at iSuppli, commented, “Semiconductors enabling video surveillance equipment such as, cameras, DVRs and IP video servers, will grow to an estimated $2 billion in revenue by 2011. Companies that are able to innovate and capitalize on this next-generation of semiconductor solutions – by networking the equipment – will capture a strong portion of the market in this rapidly growing industry.”

The AS1100 family includes the AS1113 device for IEEE® 802.3af-2003 specification power levels and the AS1124 device for either 802.3af or 802.3at pre-standard power levels. The innovative silicon solutions, built on standard HV CMOS technology, include system-level circuitry for lower EMI emissions and robust surge protection in addition to the PD controller functionality.

The AS1113 and AS1124 devices include a series of platform tested circuit capabilities to assist system designers in providing solutions that meet or exceed the current regulatory and extreme environmental usages. The AS1113 for 13W applications includes the current 802.3af PD standard. The AS1124 for 24W applications encompasses the pre-802.3at standard with two finger classification and is backward compatible to current 802.3af customer needs.

The AS1100 family combines rectification and protection circuitry with a PD controller and a DC-DC controller. This high level of integration provides significant reliability and protection advantages, as well as simplifies the PoE PD design. The devices provide seamless support for local power and over temperature protection. Additionally, the pin compatibility between the AS1113 and AS1124 allows the designer to use the same PCB for higher power applications, often without the need for a complete redesign.

The AS1100 family also provides advanced power management through integration of a hot-swap switch and a DC-DC controller that operates from a switched input voltage and includes soft-start and current limiting functions. The DC-DC architecture is a current mode converter, which can be configured with external component changes for either fly-back, forward, or buck topologies to support non-isolated or isolated switching topologies. The dual switch architecture minimizes noise, maximizes efficiency and reduces the switch breakdown requirements for a lower cost solution. Akros offers optimized yet flexible silicon solutions, enabling its customers to bring to market higher performance PoE PD products with low cost and small footprint.

The AS1100 is fully integrated and architected at a system level to provide the following features:

  • Fully supports IEEE  Std. 802.3af-2003 and supports pre-standard IEEE  Std. 802.3at-2006 power needs
  • Meets IEC 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6 and IEC 60950 requirements for Surge, EMI and Isolation
  • Integrated rectification and protection for board level surge meets > 16.5kV air discharge (IEC61000-4-2), > 8kV contact discharge (IEC61000-4-2) and > 6kV Surge (IEC61000-4-5)
  • Integrated DC-DC converter with reduced EM emission for CISPR22/FCC part 15 Class B applications
  • Programmable DC current limit up to 800mA
  • Provides extended classification levels for higher power PD applications (pre 802.3at compliant)
  • Provides seamless support for local power
  • Over temperature protection

In its most recent 5-year forecast, Dell’Oro Group predicts that PoE shipments will grow from 32M ports in 2006 to 145M ports in 2011.

“The AS1100 family of devices is the industry۪s first highly integrated PD family that addresses the needs of the high growth PoE market,” said Ven Shan, vice president of marketing, Akros Silicon. The customer response we have seen indicates that Akros engineers have set a new bar in PD solution excellence that will be well received by the entire PoE eco-system. The AS1100 family is unique in addressing EMI and surge resilience,  offering a superior level of integration that allows PoE PD manufacturers to take advantage of the industry۪s smallest footprint while saving overall system cost and maximizing system efficiency.

A key requirement of POE systems is immunity to overvoltage and surge events. Integrating the diode bridge and protection circuitry significantly increases the reaction time of protection devices and PHY immunity to over-voltage stress events. Integrating these components also substantially reduces board-to-board variation and increases overall manufacturability providing the customer with time to market advantage.

AS1113 and AS1124 devices are available in a 20-pin QFN Reduction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) compliant packages. The AS1113 and AS1124 are priced at $1.33 and $1.46 for 1kU quantity respectively.

About Akros Silicon

Headquartered in Folsom, California, Akros Silicon (Akros is a Greek word for edge) is a leading provider of highly differentiated system-level integrated circuits that provide advanced power management to the edge of the network. Akros Silicon۪s disruptive silicon technology enables large scale deployment of network-attached appliances, such as VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, networked cameras, remote access and home-networked systems accelerating the convergence of data, audio, and video applications.

Akros Silicon Expands into Silicon Valley

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Folsom, Calif. May 3, 2007 –  Akros Silicon, a fabless semiconductor company bringing power to the Ethernet world by enabling large-scale deployment of network-attached appliances, today announced the opening of their Silicon Valley Center in Sunnyvale, California.

The opening of the Silicon Valley center is in line with the worldwide expansion Akros Silicon has been implementing since securing Series B funding in early March. The investment has enabled Akros to expand and continue to aggressively pursue business opportunities. Akros Silicon Sunnyvale center houses design and applications engineering as well as sales and marketing teams to accelerate the company۪s leadership in the area of advanced power management for network attached devices.

The company is offering highly differentiated integrated circuits (ICs) used for managing power and accelerating the convergence of data, audio and video transmission to network attached appliances such as VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, security cameras, remote access and home networked systems.

“The Power over Ethernet market for devices in the enterprise, digital home and industrial setting has tremendous growth potential,”said J. Francois Crepin, president, CEO and chairman of Akros Silicon. Being first in the industry to develop a mixed-signal IC solution that provides seamless integration of Power over Ethernet control, power management and interface to the Ethernet world puts us in a unique position to realize the abundant business opportunities for this technology. With our new Silicon Valley office we have effectively positioned ourselves to grow a client base in the Bay area one of the world۪s most coveted markets for our industry. The decision to open this office also signals our commitment for continued growth.

The new address for the Silicon Valley Center۪s is:

1296 Kifer Road, Suite 603
Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Phone: (408) 746-9000
Fax: (408) 746-9391
E-mail :info@akrossilicon.com

Akros Silicon۪s headquarters is located in Folsom, Calif.
275 Turnpike Drive
Folsom, CA 95630
Phone: (916)351-8100
Fax: (916) 351-8102

About Akros Silicon

Headquartered in Folsom, California, Akros Silicon (Akros is a Greek word for edge) is a leading provider of highly differentiated system-level integrated circuits that provide advance power management to the edge of the network. Akros Silicon۪s disruptive silicon technology enables large scale deployment of network-attached appliances, such as VoIP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, networked cameras, remote access and home-networked systems accelerating the convergence of data, audio, and video applications.

Akros Silicon Inc. Wins FSA Start-Up to Watch Award

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Folsom, Calif.  Dec. 11, 2006 – Akros Silicon Inc., a fabless semiconductor company bringing power to the Ethernet world by enabling large-scale deployment of network-attached appliances, today announced that it has won the prestigious 2006 FSA Fabless Start-up to Watch Award.

Through an exhaustive nomination process by the FSA Venture Capital Advisory Board, Akros Silicon was identified as the most promising fabless semiconductor company that demonstrated the potential to positively change its market or the semiconductor industry through the innovative use of or new application for semiconductor technology.

“We are thrilled to be awarded for our commitment to innovation and strategic vision,” said J. Francois Crepin, Akros Silicon۪s President, CEO and Chairman of the Board. “Along with John Camagna and Sajol Ghoshal, co-founders of Akros, I am very proud to receive this award, which honors the significant achievements of Akros Silicon and of our incredibly talented engineering team.”

In less than 18 months, Akros Silicon has developed the industry۪s first mixed signal system-level IC solution that provides a unique seamless integration of Power over Ethernet (PoE) control, power management and interface to the Ethernet world. The company is sampling two highly integrated and differentiated ICs used for bringing power to network attached appliances such as voice over IP phones, wireless LAN access points, RFID tag readers, point-of-sale terminals, security cameras, remote access and home networked systems which will accelerate the convergence of data, audio and video transmission.

“Akros Silicon, who joined FSA this year and has exhibited great promise in bringing innovative solutions to networking and broadband communications, has been honored with this year۪s Fabless Start-Up to Watch by the FSA Venture Capital Advisory Board,” said Jodi Shelton, co-founder and executive director of FSA. “The company provides chips for the network appliance marketplace, an industry sector with strong growth potential. We commend Akros Silicon on its achievements and look forward to watching what impact the company will make in the future.”

About Akros Silicon

Headquartered in Folsom CA, Akros Silicon develops highly differentiated system- level ICs using proprietary technology on a standard, high volume CMOS process. The Akros Silicon architecture creates a significant opportunity for new silicon solutions in the fast growing network appliances marketplace.

About FSA

FSA is the voice of the global fabless business model. Incorporated in 1994, FSA positively impacts the growth and return on invested capital of this business model to enhance the environment for innovation. It provides a platform for meaningful global collaboration between fabless companies and their partners; identifies and articulates opportunities and challenges to enable solutions; and provides research, resources, publications and survey information. Members include fabless companies and their supply chain and service partners, representing more than 21 countries across the globe.