Crest Audio Selects Actel's ProASICPLUS FPGAs for Advanced Multichannel Digital Amplifier Products
Actel FPGAs Used for High-Speed Digital Signal Processing and Amplifier
Protection and Control for Installed Sound Applications
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., January 07, 2004 —
Actel Corporation (Nasdaq:
ACTL) today announced that Crest Audio, a manufacturer of professional
audio systems, has selected Actel's APA075 ProASICPLUS FPGA
devices for its new line of advanced multichannel digital amplifier products.
The new CM2204 and CM2208 amplifier products offer a low cost, powerful
multichannel amplification solution for installed sound applications
ranging from small nightclubs to large stadium environments. The CM Series
uses the Actel FPGAs for high-speed digital signal processing as well
as amplifier protection and control.
"We chose the ProASICPLUS devices for our line of advanced
multichannel digital amplifiers because Actel's flash-based FPGAs offer
design security, low cost and an easy-to-use integrated development environment,"
said Tommy O'Brien, designer of the CM amplifier series at Crest Audio. "In
our initial prototypes, we used SRAM FPGAs which presented the problem
of programming the parts without the assistance of a local microcontroller,
requiring connection to a nearby PC or the use of a PROM. Using a flash-based
device means we can program the board and take it anywhere. Actel also
offers the parts pre-programmed, which saves a manufacturing step."
Established in 1975, Crest Audio builds and markets power amplifiers
and a complete line of live performance mixing consoles for the pro audio,
touring and fixed installation markets. Crest continues to be the first
choice of tour and installation companies worldwide. Customers range
from nightclubs, churches, theaters and casinos, up to large-scale installations,
such as Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; The Superdome
in New Orleans; and the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
"The inherent benefits in our flash-based products, including in-system
programmability, live at power-up capabilities and low power consumption,
have played a major role in the industry's quick adoption of our ProASICPLUS devices," said
Barry Marsh, vice president of product marketing at Actel.
"In fact, since its introduction less than two years ago, the ProASICPLUS family
has become Actel's fastest growing product line. Crest Audio's selection
of our ProASICPLUS devices validates the suitability of flash-based
FPGA technology for a variety of professional and consumer multimedia
applications, among others."
About Actel's ProASICPLUS Family
Actel's nonvolatile single-chip ProASICPLUS devices range
in density from 75,000 to 1-million system gates. These live at power-up,
low power, flash-based solutions offer the industry's largest density
for flash-based FPGAs, making the devices suitable for application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) alternative applications in the avionics, consumer,
industrial control, networking and communications markets.
About Actel
Actel Corporation is a supplier
of innovative programmable logic solutions, including field-programmable
gate arrays (FPGAs) based on antifuse and flash technologies, high-performance
intellectual property (IP) cores, software development tools and design
services, targeted for the high-speed communications, application-specific
integrated circuit (ASIC) replacement and radiation-tolerant markets.
Founded in 1985, Actel employs approximately 500 people worldwide.
The Company is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
ACTL and is headquartered at 2061 Stierlin Court, Mountain View, CA,
94043-4655. Telephone: 888-99-ACTEL (992-2835). Internet: http://www.actel.com.
Contact: Stephanie Mrus, Actel Corporation, 650.318.4614
