Transmeta (Semiconductor) (TMTA)

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Transmeta Licenses LongRun2 to Sony

http://neasia.nikkeibp.com.hk/dailynewsdetail/000268

January 27, 2005 (TOKYO) -- Transmeta Corp of the US has licensed its LongRun2 -- power management technologies which reduce transistor leakage -- to Sony Corp.

Sony is planning to apply these technologies to the development of semiconductor products. As indicated by the introduction of 90nm process technology into the volume production of core LSIs used in its DVD recorders and handheld games console, the PSP, Sony has recently been driving the most advanced miniaturization in semiconductor manufacturing technologies. And the company needed a solution for leakage, which increases as semiconductors become smaller.

LongRun2 technologies reduce leakage power consumption by dynamically adjusting transistor threshold voltages. The technologies change electric potential of transistor substrates and adjust threshold voltages. If the power consumption levels are the same, LongRun2 can improve the operational frequency range, compared to other technologies. LongRun2 technologies are particularly effective when adjusting transistor threshold voltages during the production of LSIs, and reducing fluctuations in threshold voltages caused by changes in voltage and temperature.

Transmeta recently announced that it will focus on licensing its IP, and on modifying the development and marketing of its conventional x86-compatible microprocessor products. Sony has become the third licensee of Transmeta's LongRun2 technologies, after NEC Electronics Corp and Fujitsu Ltd.

(NE Asia Online)