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September 23, 2003
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ATHENA WINS SECOND AWARD
FROM DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
Three year project to develop
next-generation signal processing technology
Gainesville, FL - September 23, 2003 - The Athena Group,
a provider of high-performance, low-power signal processing
products, today announced they have received a second $2,000,000
award from the Department of Commerce's Advanced Technology
Program (ATP). Under this award, Athena will combine the flexibility
of programmable processors with the superior efficiency and
performance of hard-wired, special-purpose hardware to develop
a signal processing technology capable of powering the next
generation of consumer electronics products.
The Advanced Technology Program
(www.atp.nist.gov) bridges
the gap between the research laboratory and the marketplace,
stimulating prosperity through innovation. Through partnerships
with the private sector, ATP's early stage investment is accelerating
the development of innovative technologies that promise significant
commercial payoffs and widespread benefits for the nation.
Part of the highly regarded National Institute of Standards
and Technology, the ATP is changing the way industry approaches
R&D, providing a mechanism for industry to extend its
technological reach and push the envelope of what can be attempted.
Under the ATP program, Athena
will develop an entirely new and unique approach to digital
signal processing (DSP), one that will change the way we understand
DSP. By leveraging proven signal processing technologies,
innovative new technology, and software-orchestrated execution,
Athena's new PowerFlow™ DSP technology will deliver not
only vastly higher performance and lower latency operation,
but also dramatic improvements in efficiency. These improvements
address the three critical barriers in the future of system-on-a-chip
(SoC) design: namely, power, design costs, and performance
density.
"Software-orchestrated
signal processing strikes a promising balance between the
efficiency of fixed-function hardware streaming engines and
the flexibility of software programmable DSPs", quotes
Bob Payne, Sr. VP/GM of Advanced System Technology at Philips
Semiconductors. "The concepts fits well with modern semiconductor
manufacturing which is capable of supporting massively parallel
computation while running lowest possible clock rates and
voltage levels, producing both a power efficient and affordable
design."
Comments Dr. Jon Mellott, CTO
of The Athena Group, "Although the performance and programming
efficiency of DSPs have improved since their introduction
over 25 years ago, the complexity of the problems they must
tackle far outpaces this growth. Numerous past attempts to
close the gap have met with little success. The ATP project
will enable Athena to research and develop a unique approach
that advances both essential aspects of the problem simultaneously,
and brings critical new technology to what is and has always
been a uniquely domestic industry."
About The Athena Group,
Inc.
The Athena Group, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida licenses signal
processing technology that delivers breakthrough performance,
reduced area, and reduced power consumption in a broad range
of SoC products. Athena technology is ideal for leading edge
applications such as secure e-commerce, wireless communications,
and video compression.
Athena was founded in 1986
and is privately held.
# # #
For information on Athena products,
contact:
Pat Rugg, VP Sales and Marketing
The Athena Group, Inc.
5522 NW 43rd St., Suite B
Gainesville, FL 32653
Phone: (352) 371-2567 ext. 110
Toll-free: (800) 741-7440
Email: prugg@athena-group.com
Internet: www.athena-group.com
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