Press Releases

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd. and the University of Toronto today announced their joint development of a new processing method for transceiver chips used in gigabit-class(1) high-speed data transmission over wirelines. The new technology employs digital circuitry to replace previously-required structures that used analog circuits. While analog processing require circuits that are adapted to the specifications of a signal being transmitted, such as transmission distance and amplitude, this new digital approach can perform these optimizations automatically, so that a single circuit could be used to accommodate a wide range of various wireline communications. Compared to conventional processing methods, this new digital-processing method makes it possible to shorten development periods by approximately half. It is anticipated that this new technology in the future could be applied to a variety of wireline communication applications, including 10 Gbps high-speed Ethernet in datacenters.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 8.7)

Background and Technological Challenges

File size data volumes for large photographic, audio, and video files are becoming increasingly larger, thus requiring a significant amount of bandwidth to transmit, leading to demand for ever-faster wireline data communications. Conventional transceiver chips rely on analog circuitry which needs to be optimized to accommodate specifications of the signal being transmitted - such as transmission distance and amplitude - and therefore require multiple transceiver chips to be designed in order to accommodate for various applications.

With a growing diversity of devices featuring high-speed data transmission, the need to optimize an existing technology for every new type of device or model has become a bottleneck in the development process. Efforts to develop transceiver chips within short development periods that can accommodate the wide range of different devices have been proven challenging.

Newly-developed Technology

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed a digital circuit-based transceiver chip. Featuring digital circuitry, the new transceiver chip can automatically optimize itself for a variety of high-speed communications circuits, thus significantly reducing development periods by approximately half compared with conventional methods.

This technology detects variations in the delay on the time axis of the input signal, caused during data transmission, and based on that can automatically adjust the timing it uses for judging whether an incoming signal is a 0 or 1 (Figure 1). Since variations in data transmissions increase along with faster transmission speeds, this new technology is essential for accurate data exchange. This is the world's first technology to achieve Gbps-class speeds without the use of analog circuitry elements, while offering fully-digital timing adjustments for signal-determination.

Results

As a world's first, by using digital circuitry-based high-speed transceiver technology, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto's new technology makes it possible to reduce the design and development period for a gigabit-class transceiver chip by approximately one-half (1/2) compared with conventional methods. This suggests that transceiver chips for a wide range of communications devices could be offered in a timely manner.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto will continue with development of this technology to optimize the digital signal processing, to further reduce the transceiver's power consumption.

Glossary and Notes

1 Gigabit-class/Gigabits-per-second (Gbps):Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) expresses data rate and indicates how many gigabits can be transferred per second. 10 Gbps is 10 billion bits-per-second (10 billion bps) = 10,000 megabits-per-second (10,000 Mbps), and indicates that 10 billion bits of data can be transferred per second.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Design Solutions Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81-44-754-2635
E-mail:hsio_adc_pr@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

Kawasaki, Japan, Feb 10, 2010 - (ACN Newswire) - Fujitsu Laboratories Limited and the University of Toronto today announced that they have jointly developed the world's first high-reliability read-method for use with spin-torque-transfer (STT) MRAM(1) that is insusceptible to erroneous writes. STT MRAM is regarded as a potential future form of non-volatile memory(2) that could be used as an alternative to flash memory. NOR flash memory that is embedded in microcontrollers widely used in mobile phones and other electronic devices is expected to reach the limits of its feasible miniaturization in the near future, which has led to the search for an alternative low-power non-volatile memory that will allow continued necessary miniaturization. By resolving one of the major obstacles to using STT MRAM, Fujitsu and the University of Toronto's new read-method marks a major step towards the practical implementation of STT MRAM as a necessary replacement for flash memory, in view of future requirements that will be necessary for compact and low-power electronic devices.

Details of this technology were presented at the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference 2010 (ISSCC 2010) being held in San Francisco from February 7-11. (Presentation number: 14.1)

Background

Many electronic devices such as mobile phones or PDAs use microcontrollers with embedded flash memory, which allows onboard software to be rewritten. However, NOR flash memory used in such microcontrollers is nearing the physical limits of its miniaturization, which has led to research on various types of memory that could replace NOR flash memory.

STT MRAM, which uses magnetic materials as the memory storage element, is gaining attention as an emerging potential candidate to replace flash memory, as STT MRAM meets the needs for speed, low power consumption, and miniaturization that would make it a good candidate to replace flash memory.

Technological Challenges

STT MRAM uses memory storage elements that take advantage of the effect in which a current that is passed through a magnetic material - such as a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ)(3) - reverses its direction of magnetization (Figure 1). Passing a current through the MTJ causes its direction of magnetization to switch between a parallel or anti-parallel state, which has the effect of switching between low resistance and high resistance. Because this can be used to represent the 1s and 0s of digital information, STT MRAM can be used as a non-volatile memory.

Reading STT MRAM involves applying a voltage to the MTJ to discover whether the MTJ offers high resistance to current ("1") or low ("0"). However, a relatively high voltage needs to be applied to the MTJ to correctly determine whether its resistance is high or low, and the current passed at this voltage leaves little difference between the read-current and the write-current. Any fluctuation in the electrical characteristics of individual MTJs could cause what was intended as a read-current, to have the effect of a write-current, thus reversing the direction of magnetization of the MTJ.

Newly-developed Technology

In a joint collaboration, Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto have developed an innovative circuit design (Figure 3) that for the first time resolves the issue of erroneous writes in STT MRAM during read operations.

The newly developed read-method uses a negative resistance(4) that is intermediate between the MTJ's high resistance and low resistance on a parallel circuit (Figure 4). If the MTJ is in a high-resistance state, this circuit exhibits negative-resistance characteristics. If the MTJ is in a low-resistance state, then it exhibits normal-resistance characteristics. These characteristics allow the resistance value to be read at lower voltages than before, suppressing the tendency of the read operation to reverse the direction of magnetization and avoiding the problem of erroneous write operations.

Results

The development of this new read circuit with negative resistance has resulted in STT MRAM that is insusceptible to erroneous writes caused by fluctuations in the electrical characteristics of the MTJs. It is anticipated that the STT MRAM used as miniaturized non-volatile memory would enable greater high-performance in mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Future Developments

Fujitsu Laboratories and the University of Toronto plan to continue with R&D related to STT MRAM to strive toward practical implementation, such as lowering write currents and developing process technologies for further miniaturization.

Glossary and Notes

1 Spin- Torque-Transfer MRAM:Spin-torque-transfer magnetoresistive (STT) random access memory. MRAM that uses the "spin-torque-transfer" effect to reverse the direction of magnetization of an element by passing current through it.

2 Non-volatile memory:Memory that persists even when electrical power is cut.

3 Magnetic tunnel junction (MJT):A tunnel junction that uses the magnetoresistive effect. Consists of a recording layer made of ferromagnetic material, an insulating film a few atoms thick, and a layer made of ferromagnetic material that will not change its direction of magnetization in the presence of a current.

4 Negative resistance:An element that has negative resistance value, in which its current decreases when voltage rises.

About University of Toronto

Established in 1827, the University of Toronto is Canada's largest university, recognized as a global leader in research and teaching. U of T's distinguished faculty, institutional record of groundbreaking scholarship and wealth of innovative academic opportunities continually attract outstanding students and academics from around the world. U of T is committed to providing a learning experience that benefits from both a scale almost unparalleled in North America and from the close-knit learning communities made possible through its college system and academic divisions. Located in and around Toronto, one of the world's most diverse regions, U of T's vibrant academic life is defined by a unique degree of cultural diversity in its learning community. The University is sustained environmentally by three green campuses, where renowned heritage buildings stand beside award-winning innovations in architectural design.

For more information: http://www.utoronto.ca/

About Fujitsu Ltd

Fujitsu is a leading provider of IT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 160,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$47 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009. For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

Contact: Fujitsu Laboratories Ltd.
Technology Integration Lab.
Platform Technologies Lab.
Tel: +81(46)250-8379
E-mail:til-si@ml.labs.fujitsu.com

University of Toronto
Prof. Ali Sheikholeslami
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tel: +1(416)978-1681
E-mail:ali@eecg.utoronto.ca
Address: 10 King's College Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4 Canada

Copyright 2010 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved.

Government-Owned Gestore dei Servizi Energetici to Install 5,000 Terminals in Order to Monitor Renewable Energy Sources

LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris: SESG) (LuxX: SESG), announced today that it has signed a cooperation agreement with the Italian corporation Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) for the deployment of 5,000 ASTRA2Connect terminals in Italy. GSE will use a dedicated ASTRA2Connect-based satellite service for telemetry and video surveillance applications in order to optimize the predictions of its renewable energy sources. GSE is a government-owned company promoting and supporting renewable energy sources and is controlled by the Italian Ministry of Economics and Finance.

SES ASTRA will provide its successful satellite-based broadband technology to improve the data flow from renewable energy sources. Through the contract, ASTRA2Connect will become one of the largest satellite-based broadband networks for the energy market in Europe as well as a leading satellite broadband service in Italy. In addition, SES ASTRA is contributing to the development of a sustainable European energy policy from renewable sources of electricity and will play a vital role in the creation of a competitive electricity market.

The distribution of the terminals will be managed by a consortium consisting of SES ASTRA, Digitaria, SES ASTRA's distribution partner for ASTRA2Connect in Italy, and Calzavara, a system integrator for telecommunications with a strong focus on alternative and renewable energies.

The ASTRA2Connect satellite technology was launched in 2007 as a residential service especially for households in regions without terrestrial broadband networks. Marketed via wholesalers and internet service providers, it offers an always-on and interactive broadband internet access at low costs. The customer premises equipment - a modem and satellite dish - can be easily self-installed. With currently more than 50,000 end users, ASTRA2Connect is highly successful in the residential market and has recently been further developed for the industrial and maritime markets.

"Our agreement with GSE is a significant step for ASTRA2Connect in the Italian market," said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "With the European energy market seeking a substantially increased share of renewable energy sources, we are very proud to be able to offer ASTRA2Connect as a reliable and cost-efficient solution to control and monitor the data flow. We are convinced that we are offering the right product to this highly competitive market and are looking forward to sharing first results with GSE."

"This monitoring project for renewable source plants is unique in the Italian energy landscape," said Nando Pasquali, CEO of GSE. "Through our choice to use a satellite platform for data collection processes, we have introduced a system which is innovative, flexible, and scalable and covers the entire Italian territory, allowing its use wherever renewable energy is produced. A further advantage of the satellite platform is its low costs, comparable to traditional ADSL networks. Gestore dei Servizi Energetici is the first energy operator to use the satellite for data collection from renewable energy sources on a large scale to supply a more efficient and effective service with great benefits for consumers".

About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 13 ASTRA and two SIRIUS satellites. The combined satellite system delivers services to more than 122 million DTH and cable households and transmits more than 2,500 analogue and digital television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With more than 100 High Definition (HD) channels on its main orbital positions, ASTRA and SIRIUS represent the most important HDTV platform for Europe's leading broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2 East, 28.2 East, 23.5 East, 5 East and 31.5 East.

SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris: SESG) (LuxX: SESG). SES wholly owns SES ASTRA and SES WORLD SKIES, 90% of SES SIRIUS in Europe, and participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions via a global fleet of 41 satellites in 26 orbital locations. For further information: www.ses.com.

About Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (Spa)

GSE Spa plays a central role in promoting, incentivising and developing renewable energy sources in Italy. The company has a single shareholder, i.e. the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which exercises its shareholder rights together with the Ministry of Economic Development. GSE is the parent of two companies: Acquirente Unico (AU) and Gestore dei Mercati Energetici (GME).

In accordance with the national and international legislation, GSE manages the development of renewable energies both by granting incentives to power plants and by conducting awareness campaigns to foster the efficient and environmentally-sustainable use of electricity. GSE has been appointed as implementing body for allocating the incentives for photovoltaic plants.

    Source: SES ASTRA

Q4: A Strong Conclusion to a Record Year for Vitrolife

GOTHENBURG, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Vitrolife (STO: VITR):

-- Sales increased by 14 percent during the fourth quarter and amounted to SEK 67 (59) million. Calculated in local currency growth was 15 percent. Sales for the year amounted to SEK 275 (225) million, corresponding to an increase of 22 percent. Calculated in local currencies growth was 10 percent.

-- Gross margin for the fourth quarter was 70 percent (70). Gross income increased by 15 percent and amounted to SEK 47 (41) million. Gross margin for the year was 70 percent (69) and gross income amounted to 193 SEK (156) million, corresponding to an increase of 23 percent.

-- In the fourth quarter operating income (EBIT) increased by 21 percent and amounted to SEK 7 (5) million. Operating margin was 10 (9) percent. Operating income for the year was SEK 30 (27) million, corresponding to an operating margin of 11 (12) percent. The increase was 12 percent. Adjusted for one-time expenses relating to the move and to the bid for MediCult during the first half year the increase was 18 percent.

-- Operating income before research and development costs increased during the fourth quarter by 23 percent and amounted to SEK 16 (13) million, corresponding to a margin of 24 percent (22). For the whole of 2009 the corresponding increase was 19 percent and amounted to SEK 69 (58) million, and the margin was 25 percent (26).

-- The Group's net income increased by 14 percent during the fourth quarter, adjusted for capitalization of the deferred tax asset in loss carry-forward for tax purposes to the tune of SEK 4 (4) million. Net income was SEK 12 (10) million, which gives earnings per share of SEK 0.56 (0.51). Net income for the whole year was SEK 34 (30) million, which gives earnings per share of SEK 1.75 (1.52)

-- The cash flow from operating activities was SEK 17 (16) million for the fourth quarter. Cash flow for the year amounted to SEK 42 (43) million.

-- Net equity amounted to SEK 6 (7) million

-- The equity/assets ratio amounted to 87 percent (85).

-- Vitrolife acquired its distributor in Great Britain and Ireland, IVF Limited.

-- VINNOVA announced that they will provide Vitrolife's stem-cell research project with support of SEK 3.6 million.

-- The patient recruitment of the clinical study in Canada on STEEN Solution(TM) completed after the period.

-- The Board's proposed dividend is 0.50 SEK per share.

February 10, 2010

Magnus Nilsson CEO

Vitrolife is a global biotechnology/medical device Group that works with developing, manufacturing and selling advanced products and systems for the preparation, cultivation and storage of human cells, tissue and organs. The company has business activities within three product areas: Fertility, Transplantation and Stem Cell Cultivation.

The Fertility product area works with nutrient solutions (media), cryopreservation products and advanced consumable instruments such as needles and pipettes, for the treatment of human infertility. The Transplantation product area works with solutions and systems to evaluate and maintain organs outside the body order to select usable organs and keeping them in optimal condition while waiting for transplantation. The Stem Cell Cultivation product area works with media and instruments to enable the use and handling of stem cells for therapeutic purposes.

Vitrolife today has approximately 160 employees and the company's products are sold in more than 85 markets. The company is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, and there are subsidiaries in USA, Australia, France, Italy, United Kingdom and Japan. Production facilities are located in Sweden and USA.

The Vitrolife share is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, Small Cap.



Vitrolife AB (publ), Box 9080, SE-400 92 Goteborg, Sweden. Corporate identity number 556354-3452.

Tel: +46 31 721 80 00. Fax: +46 31 721 80 99. E-mail: info@vitrolife.com. Website: www.vitrolife.com.



Vitrolife is required to publish the information in this press release in accordance with the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on Wednesday February 10, 2010 at 08:30 am CET.



This is a translation of the Swedish version of the notice. When in doubt, the Swedish wording prevails.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

    Source: Vitrolife