World’s Smallest 40Mbps Transceivers Deliver Unmatched Temperature Range Performance and ESD Protection

MILPITAS, CA, August 17, 2007 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, today introduced the ISL3159E and ISL3179E RS-485/RS-422 transceivers. These next-generation interface ICs combine 40Mbps transmission performance over the industry’s widest temperature range (-40C to +125C) along with 15kV IEC61000 ESD protection and a DFN package option that is up to 70% smaller than standard 8-lead SOIC offerings.

The ISL3159E has enhanced output differential voltage drive (Vod). The transceiver Vod is specified to be >2.1V, a 40% increase over the standard 1.5V specified by the RS-485 protocol. In addition, the receiver outputs deliver superior low state currents (typically >30mA at Vol = 1V) to ease the design of optically-coupled, isolated networks.

These enhancements and rugged features make the ISL3159E an ideal fit for PROFIBUS DP and FMS applications. Other applications will also profit from the increased noise immunity and enhanced data integrity provided by the extra large Vod. Parallel networks, like SCSI “fast 40” systems, benefit from the 40Mbps data rate and the low transceiver and receiver skews, as well as the 4nS part-to-part skews.

With the option of a 5V supply (ISL3159E) and a 3.3V supply (ISL3179E), these devices are the only RS-485 transceivers that maintain a 40Mbps data transfer rate at temperatures up to 125 degrees C while consuming only 4mA of quiescent supply current. This performance enables high speed data transmission in the harshest environments.

The tiny 3x3mm DFN package integrates a thermal slug that enables this package to provide approximately a 40% improvement in thermal resistance compared to the SOIC package to create a very reliable, robust solution.

The dependability of the devices is also extended by the fact that they exceed IEC61000 ESD standards with 15kV protection on all RS-485 input and output pins.

Other key features of these rugged transceivers include a full fail-safe receiver (open, shorted, terminated-but-undriven), hot plug circuitry to insure the transceiver and receiver outputs stay in high-impedance as the power supply stabilizes, and current limiting and thermal shutdown for driver overload protection.

These transceivers are available in both the industrial (-40C to +85C) and extended (-40C to +125C) temperature ranges. The multiple Pb-free package options include an industry-standard 8-lead SOIC, an 8-lead MSOP that is 50% smaller then the SOIC and the tiny, 3mm x 3mm 10-lead DFN package.

Pricing and Availability (for Product Press Release)
The ISL3159E and ISL3179E are available now specified for operation up to 125 degree C and are priced at $1.33 each in 1,000-unit quantities and at $1.01 each for versions specified at the industrial temperature range. More information on the ISL3159 is available at: http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3159E,0.html
More information on the ISL3179E is available at: http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3179E,0.html

Note to editors (for Product Press Release or Personnel Press Release requiring photos): To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of ISL3159E and ISL3179E, visit Intersil’s photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp.

About Intersil’s Interface Portfolio
Intersil offers a wide range of RS-232 and RS-485/RS-422 transceivers. The RS-232 family of devices operates off of 3.3V or 5V supplies, have many combinations of transmitter and receiver configurations and are protected to 15kV IEC61000 ESD specification. The RS-485 family of devices comes in 3.3V or 5V supply options and supports full/half duplex modes with many speed grades to chose from with ESD protection up to 15kV IEC61000 levels. To learn more, visit Intersil’s Interface Website at http://www.intersil.com/interface/.

Intersil Corporation
1001 Murphy Ranch Road
Milpitas, CA 95035
USA

Rob Purdie
Senior Marketing Representative
Intersil Corporation
1650 Robert J. Conlan Blvd. NE
Mailstop: 62-100
Palm Bay, Florida 32905
USA
Phone: 321-724-7688
Fax: 321-724-7532

About Intersil
Intersil Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors. The company's products address some of the industry's fastest growing markets, such as, flat panel displays, cell phones, other handheld systems, and notebooks. Intersil’s product families address power management functions and analog signal processing functions. Intersil products include ICs for battery management, hot-swap and hot-plug controllers, linear regulators, power sequencers, supervisory ICs, bridge drivers, PWM controllers, switching DC/DC regulators and power MOSFET drivers; optical storage laser diode drivers; DSL line drivers; video and high-performance operational amplifiers; data converters; interface ICs; analog switches and multiplexers; crosspoint switches; voice-over-IP devices; and ICs for military, space and radiation-hardened applications. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the Company's web site and career page at www.intersil.com.

This release was published on openPR.