News & Events
Elantec Extends New Laser Modulation Oscillator IC Family For Computing And Game Applications

Lower power, lower noise devices lead to reduced costs, longer life and higher reliability DVD-ROM and DVD-Player drives

MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, December 4, 2001 -- Elantec Semiconductor Inc., the industry leader in high-performance analog ICs for optical storage applications, today announced four new low power, low noise laser modulation oscillators. These new ICs are targeted at Optical storage drives found in PCs, stand-alone DVD-players, and new DVD-ROM-player game platforms.

The EL6202C, EL6203C, EL6204C and EL6205C are the high frequency modulation (HFM) ICs used in DVD-ROM and DVD-Player optical pickup units (OPU) to reduce laser noise and improve read-performance. These devices have a maximum oscillator frequency of 600MHz and a maximum current output of 100mA peak-to-peak. Both the oscillator frequency range and oscillator amplitude range can be independently adjusted using two external chip resistors. Also included is an auto turn-off feature, which is used to power-down the chip.

In addition to providing a better signal-to-noise ratio than other similar ICs, the EL6202C and EL6205C reduce the cost of the total system bill of materials and simplify the design the OPU by eliminating two external circuit components. The EL6203C and EL6204C, pin-compatible replacements for the EL6201C, offer lower electrical magnetic interference (EMI) than other popular HFM pin-outs, thereby reducing cost of EMI shielding often needed to meet the FCC compliance standards required for all PC and consumer drives.

Stephen P. Sacarisen, Elantec's Director Strategic Marketing, Optical Products Group, said, "Once again, Elantec's newest oscillator products offer more substantial benefits to OEMs designing new OPUs for DVD-ROM-players. The lower power and lower noise of these devices mean longer DVD laser drive life, greater accuracy and increased reliability, and increased battery life in portable applications. Even more, using our new oscillators helps reduce the cost of the total system."

Pricing, samples, evaluation boards, and application notes are available for all products upon request.

For more information please visit our web site at www.elantec.com or contact Stephen P. Sacarisen at Elantec Corporate Headquarters, Milpitas, California, at 1-888 ELANTEC x345 or email at: ssacarisen@elantec.com.

Elantec designs, manufactures and markets high performance analog integrated circuits primarily for the video, optical storage, communications and power management markets. The Company targets high growth commercial markets in which advances in digital integrated circuit technology are driving increasing demand for high speed, high performance and low power consumption analog circuits.

Certain matters discussed in this press release pertaining to the market trends, cost effectiveness, and product performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include product introductions by the Company's competitors, competitive pricing pressures, fluctuations in manufacturing yield, changes in the mix or markets in which products are sold, availability and cost of raw materials and other risks discussed in the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.