Intersil Announces Addition to Family of 256-Tap Digitally Controlled

Intersil Announces Addition to Family of 256-Tap Digitally Controlled Potentiometers

    Business Editors/Technology Writers

    MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2005--

The ISL95810, a Single DCP, Offered in a Small 3mm x 3mm Package, Addresses Market Need for Space-Constrained Applications
    Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ:ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog solutions, today announced the ISL95810, a low noise, low power, cost competitive 256-tap digitally controlled potentiometer (DCP) for system applications requiring control, parameter adjustments or signal processing. The ISL95810 incorporates a single DCP with its associated registers, non-volatile memory and an I(2)C serial interface for direct communication between a host, the potentiometer and memory. The DCP can be used as a three-terminal potentiometer or as a two-terminal variable resistor.
    The ISL95810 is the third device in the family (ISL95820 dual and ISL95840 quad) that utilizes a new architecture to reduce noise by eliminating the need for a charge pump. This architecture integrates a DCP on a monolithic CMOS integrated circuit. The digitally controlled potentiometer is implemented with a combination of resistor elements and CMOS switches. The user controls the position of the wiper through the I(2)C bus interface. By being digitally adjustable, these devices help designers prevent instability issues in their systems due to vibration or shock commonly associated with mechanical potentiometers. Unlike one-time programmable or volatile solutions, the ISL95810 integrates non-volatile memory for the wiper position to help lower the programming current and eliminate additional high voltage supplies required by one-time programmable products. Along with low power dissipation and a supply voltage range of 2.7V to 5.5V, the ISL95810 also achieves less than +/- 0.2 least significant bit (LSB) typical differential non-linearity (DNL).

ISL95810 Key Features

-- 256 resistor taps: 0.4 percent resolution -- I(2)C serial interface -- Wiper resistance: 70 ohms typical at 3.3V -- Non-volatile storage of wiper position -- Standby current 5uA max -- Power supply: 2.7V to 5.5V -- Total resistance: 10k ohms or 50k ohms -- High reliability -- Endurance: 200,000 data changes per bit -- Register data retention: 50 years at max temperature of 75 degrees C -- 8-lead MSOP or TDFN package

Target Applications

-- Cell phones, PDAs and GPS receivers -- LCD contrast control -- LCD backlight brightness control -- Data acquisition systems -- Temperature or pressure sensor biasing -- Strain gauge -- Controls requiring parameter retention -- Mechanical POTs replacement

    Availability and Pricing

    The ISL95810 is available now in 8-lead MSOP or TDFN packages with a standard lead finish or Pb-free. The suggested price in 10,000 unit quantities is $1.02 for each IC. Additional information on these and other high-performance analog solutions can be obtained online from Intersil's web site at: http://www.intersil.com/DCPs-DCCs/

    About Intersil

    Intersil Corporation, a Nasdaq 100 Index company, is a leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog semiconductors. The company's products address three of the industry's fastest growing markets: flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable) and power management. Intersil products include power management devices for battery management, hot-swap and hot-plug controllers, linear regulators, supervisory ICs, 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 rad-hard 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: http://www.intersil.com
    This release may include "forward-looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. For information identifying economic, political, climatic, currency, regulatory, technological, competitive and some other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see Intersil's Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statement disclaimer found at http://www.intersil.com/legal.asp, as well as Intersil's SEC filings as updated from time to time, found at http://www.sec.gov.

    All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

--30--JD/mi*

CONTACT: Intersil Corporation, Palm Bay, Fla. Ron Paciello, 321-724-7184 E-Mail: rpaciell@intersil.com or John Allen, 321-729-4928 E-Mail: jallen02@intersil.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT SOURCE: Intersil Corporation

Copyright Business Wire 2005