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Elantec Ships Newest Laser Driver IC For Higher Speed CD-R and CD-R/W Optical Disk Drives

The EL6245C's high current output channel will enable greater than 20X CD-R/W speeds

MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, October 9, 2001 -- Elantec Semiconductor, Inc. (NASDAQ: ELNT), a leader in high-performance analog ICs, is now shipping a new high speed laser driver IC designed specifically to enable increases in the CD read/write (R/W) speeds for the rapidly-growing CD-Read and CD-R/W optical disk drive market. The EL6245C is functionally compatible with Elantec's industry-standard EL6273C, and can deliver write speeds beyond 20X CD-R/W.

The EL6245C integrates the automatic power control (APC) amplifier with the three current channels needed for the read, erase, and write laser drive power levels - all compliant with the Orange Specification Standard for CD-R and CD-R/W write strategy formats. It has one write channel with output current of 250mA to drive the higher power 780 nanometer CD lasers. In addition to the APC amplifier, the high frequency modulator (HFM) oscillator also is integrated.

The EL6245C is also functionally compatible with Elantec's EL6288C laser driver, and adds an automatic turn-off of the HFM oscillator during write channel enables. The HFM oscillator is used to reduce laser read noise, which eliminates the need for an external oscillator-enable signal. This level of integration significantly minimizes component count, which lowers total cost, and reduces signal routing. The resultant savings in design time and board space facilitates the design of the more compact optical pick-up unit (OPU) needed in slim-line CD-R/W drive designs.

According to Stephen Sacarisen, Director of Strategic Marketing, Optical Products Group, "The PC CD disk drive consumer demands faster record (R) and read/write (R/W) times, commonly referred to as the 'X' speeds. The fast on/off switching times and the high output write current drive of the EL6245C offers OPU manufacturers longer product lifecycles by providing the industry's highest performance and most cost-effective solution for designing a CD-R/W drives with up to 20X CD-R/W speeds." Mr. Sacarisen added, "The EL6245C will enable Elantec to maintain its leading position in the optical storage market."

Samples are available now, with production lead times of eight to ten weeks. To receive more information, please visit our web site at www.elantec.com, or contact Stephen Sacarisen at Elantec Corporate Headquarters, Milpitas, CA, at (408) 945-1323 x 345.

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, and cost effectiveness 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-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.