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Elantec Semiconductor Introduces The First Laser Diode Driver For Revolutionary Blue Laser Technology

Elantec's new EL6250C blue laser diode driver will enable higher storage DVDs, CDs and future optical disc formats

MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, June 18, 2001 -- Elantec Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNT), a leader in high-performance analog ICs, today introduced a new laser diode driver, the EL6250C, developed specifically for the violet/blue laser diode, a breakthrough in laser technology expected to provide a dramatic increase in data storage capability in compact disk and CD-ROM devices, and such rewritable technologies as HDTV-capable DVD and the emerging DVR formats.

Currently, red laser technology, in the form of the DVD disk, represents the limits of density available to developers. In future-generation optical storage systems using blue laser diodes, the amount of information stored on a given area of a disk's surface will be three or four times greater than that written by the red laser beams. The breakthrough in blue laser technology has far-reaching implications for both the size and storage capacity of applications in the PC, VCR, camcorder, PDA, set-top box and video game markets. Currently, a DVD can hold about 4.7 gigabytes. Writing with a blue laser will increase that amount to approximately 20 gigabytes. That is sufficient storage to record one full two-hour HDTV movie or four regular DVD movies. The current format CD can store 650 megabytes of information. If the compact disk is double-sided, and dual level, the blue laser can pack into the same space the equivalent of nearly 100 CDs written with an infrared laser. This new high-density technology is expected to expand the consumer and PC applications for the small form factor disks in as well.

Short Wavelength is Key to Blue Laser Benefits
The main reason the blue laser has been such a sought after technology is due to the size of its wavelength. Compared with today's lasers, which typically use infrared light (780 to 850 nanometers) or red light (635 to 670 nanometers), blue lasers operate at a shorter wavelength (approximately 400 nanometers). Having a shorter wavelength creates a more concentrated beam of light that can focus to a smaller spot size, and therefore, is able to store and read much more information on the same size compact disk.

EL6250C's Dual Supply Voltage Minimize Power Consumption
A key feature of the EL6250C blue laser driver is that it operates from two discrete supply voltages. The internal logic operates from +5V supply, while the blue laser diode threshold of +5V requires the output stage to run at greater than +6V. Having two supply voltages allows the EL6250C to minimize power consumption while driving the blue laser. In addition the EL6250C integrates the current channels needed for the read, erase, bias and write laser drive power levels, along with a high frequency modulator (HFM) oscillator with high-speed laser driver output. This high level of integration reduces component count, which reduces production costs, shortens signal routing to save design time, and saves board space to enable compact optical pick up unit (OPU) designs.

Steve Sacarisen, Director Strategic Marketing for Elantec's Optical Products Group, said, "The EL6250C continues Elantec's pioneering efforts in laser driver technology. Elantec was first to the market with theEL6257C, an integrated CD-R/RW laser diode driver, and the EL6290C, the first dual-writer DVD/CD laser driver. Now, we have designed the EL6250C blue laser diode driver, which enables leading edge OEMs to be first in blue laser OPU and optical product development. Our goal is to help our customers develop a strong competitive position for their products using our cutting-edge, proprietary technology."

For more information please contact Steve Sacarisen at Elantec Corporate Headquarters, Milpitas, CA, at (408) 945-1323 x 345 or visit our web site at www.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, product performance, cost effectiveness, and design-in time 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.