austriamicrosystems Supplies AS5243, the Redundant 10-bit Magnetic Angular Position IC, to MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONICS and Audi R10 for the Le Mans 24 Hours 2008

austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs for automotive, communication, industry and medical applications, supplies AS5243, a redundant 10-bit magnetic rotary encoder IC, to MEGA -Line RACING ELECTRONIC GmbH, a specialist in development of high performance automotive racing applications. The AS5243 is used to measure the absolute position of the barrel shaft in the gearbox to ensure an optimized gear change. AS5243 has been successfully tested in the Audi R10 which is the first diesel powered car winning the Le Mans 24 hours, one of the most ambitious races in the world. The absolute magnetic shaft encoder developed by MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC is based on austriamicrosystems’ AS5243 redundant magnetic angular position sensor device which, due to its contactless measurement method, makes the system highly reliable and resistant to adverse environmental conditions such as dust, moisture, vibration or extended temperature conditions. With this sensor the abrasion over the economic life-time of the gearbox can be monitored. The high performance 10 bit resolution analog output and the extended temperature range up to 150°C (ambient) ideally meets the demands of many safety critical automotive, industrial and robotics applications. "Our close collaboration with MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC helps us to be successful with innovative solutions on the market," said Bernhard Czar, Director Marketing Automotive at austriamicrosystems. "austriamicrosystems’ wide portfolio of magnetic angular position sensors meet a broad range of customer demands. We look forward to seeing further creative products emerging out of our partnership with MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC.” "We are excited to be working with austriamicrosystems and their new AS5243 absolute angular position sensor technology,” said Erwin Gassner, CEO of MEGA-Line RACING ELECTRONIC. "This magnetic encoder technology enables us to get an absolute feedback about the most important gearbox parameter. The barrel position is used to optimize the whole gear change sequence. This sensor has to be absolutely reliable and using the freely programmable AS5243 we do not even need any calibration procedure in the car.” The AS5243 is a contactless magnetic angle position sensor for accurate measurement up to 360° and includes two AS5143 devices in a punched stacked lead frame. It is a system-on-chip combining integrated Hall elements, analog front end and digital signal processing in a single device. The AS5243 provides two separated programmable analog outputs which can be configured in many ways, including user programmable angular range, adjustable output voltage range, voltage or current output, etc. An internal voltage regulator allows operation of the AS5243 from 3.3V or 5.0V supplies. The AS5243 can detect 1,024 absolute positions over a full turn, 180 and 90 degrees which correspond to a resolution of minimum 0.087 degrees. Additional features include a user programmable zero position and a safety feature that constantly monitors the presence of the magnet. The AS5243 is available in a 7x7mm QFN32 package. Product-specific information is available at www.austriamicrosystems.com/03products/25_rot_enc_automotive_applicat ions.htm Electronic picture and block diagram are available on request or at http://www.austriamicrosystems.com/07presscenter/presscenter_start .htm (Due to their length, the above URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.) About austriamicrosystems austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining more than 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities. austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 1,000 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service Foundry activities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS).