ADI achieves top honors in two categories for Innovation of the Year -- AD1896 Audio Sample Rate Converter and VisualDSP++(TM)'s statistical code profiling each recognized Analog Devices Inc. a global leader in high-performance semiconductors for signal processing applications, announced today that it was awarded two EDN Innovation awards at the 11th annual ceremony held on April 9 in San Francisco. Singled out were the AD1896 audio sample rater converter, which enables devices with different sampling rates to talk to each other and is geared for professional and consumer audio applications, and VisualDSP++'s statistical profiling, a statistical analysis tool that speeds development of code written for ADI digital signal processors (DSPs).

``It is a great honor to be recognized by the community of engineering professionals who vote for ''Innovation of the Year,`` said Samuel H. Fuller, vice president of research and development. ''We strive to continuously discover innovative solutions to the design challenges facing developers. These awards recognize the outstanding products that emerge from our commitment to innovation.``

The AD1896 audio sample-rate converter is the first asynchronous sample- rate converter to exceed 140dB signal-to-noise ratio and the first device to support the 192 kHz specification of the latest Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) standards The AD1896 provides the best THD+N performance available, -126dBover the entire range of sample rates. And that range is the widest available, 1k- 192kHz. The asynchronous conversion ratios allow of 1:8 up-sampling, and 7.75:1 down-sampling. This allows the conversion of sample rates for any possible application, including from 192kHz DVD-A to 44.1kHz CD. The AD1896 audio sample-rate converter is used in home theater systems, studio digital mixers, DVD systems, set-top boxes, digital audio effects processors, and automotive audio systems, among other applications. For more information on the AD1896 please visit http://products.analog.com/products/info.asp?product=AD1896.

The VisualDSP++ compiler and statistical analysis system offers software developers a powerful tool for optimizing programs written for ADI DSPs. Statistical profiling enables the programmer to non-intrusively poll the processor while it is running the program, and to completely visualize which routines are consuming the majority of the processor's performance. This feature, unique to VisualDSP++, enables the software developer to gather important code execution metrics without interrupting the real-time characteristics of the program. This means that the developer can identify bottlenecks in software quickly and efficiently. For more information on VisualDSP++ please visit www.analog.com/industry/dsp/tools/index.html.

The Innovation of the Year awards are chosen by the readers of EDN Magazine, (www.ednmag.com) who vote for products in fourteen categories. The AD1896 audio sample rater converter won in the category for Digital ICs and VisualDSP++'s statistical software code profiler, won in the category for Embedded-Development Systems and Tools. The winners of the Innovation of the Year awards represent the leading edge in design and innovation in the electronics industry. Each submission is put through a rigorous qualification process before being submitted to EDN's readers for the final vote. ADI has received 4 awards in the past 2 years, including the 1999 Innovator of the Year award. The April 27th issue of EDN will feature a special supplement dedicated to this year's winners.