VLSI Technology Inc yesterday unveiled a low-cost IBM AT-alike chip set, saying that it combined an easy path to customisation with the lowest chip count on the market – 16 non-memory devices, down from 110; the San Jose firm also claims a 20% price edge on rival offerings. VLSI used a megacell approach and designers can use its Chip Compiler to add elements in a matter of hours rather than months. The five-chip 12MHz set samples in June with volume in the third quarter, and will be $68.85 the set for 10,000 up, with bigger discounts for higher volume orders.
