News & Events
Intersil Announces Availability of New PRISM II Power Amplifier and Detector Chip

Chip is key contributor to 50 percent power reduction for the PRISM® II Chip Set
Highly integrated SiGe chip includes detector circuitry

PALM BAY, FL, September 10, 1999 – Intersil, the leading developer of silicon technology for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), today announced general availability of a highly integrated RF power amplifier with detector. Using silicon germanium (SiGe) process technology, the HFA3983 Power Amplifier and Detector delivers superior RF performance while greatly reducing power consumption. The HFA3983 is one of five chips comprising the Intersil PRISM II WLAN chipset, the world’s most complete silicon "Antenna-to-Computer™" solution for the design of WLAN systems.

The HFA3983 is a 2.4 GHz monolithic power amplifier designed to operate in the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. Fabricated in the fastest SiGe BiCMOS process available, it brings superior RF performance normally found only in gallium arsenide (GaAs) devices. The HFA3983 integrates the following functions: a 30 dB gain power amplifier; logarithmic power detect function with 15 dB dynamic range; and CMOS level compatible power up/down function.

"This chip provides a highly cost-effective solution for the power amp function by the integration of many features," said Chris Henningsen, vice president – Marketing and co-leader of Intersil’s PRISM Wireless Products business. "Having these built-in functions significantly shortens development time, lowers total bill-of-materials cost, saves board space and speeds time to market. This chip mates seamlessly with our other PRISM II chips, to provide a highly integrated, cost-effective 11 megabit per second wireless LAN solution."

The HFA3983 is well-suited for a variety of wireless applications including wireless local area networks (WLANs), PCMCIA wireless transceivers, ISM systems including automatic level control (ALC), TDMA packet protocol radios, wireless local loop systems and building-to-building wireless bridges.

The device features two cascaded low-voltage single supply stages, delivering 18 dBm (typ.) of output power for the typical DSSS signal (ACPR, 1st Side Lobe <-30 dBc, 2nd Side Lobe < -50 dBc). Power gain is 30 dB typical. The HFA3983 power detect function provides a DC output voltage that is proportional to the logarithm of the output power. For an output power of 18 dBm, the detector is accurate to within a decibel. The slope of the detector output voltage is 100mV/dB over a 15 dB dynamic range. A simple application of the detector is to provide in-line monitoring of the output power using a DC voltmeter, rather than having to use a power meter or spectrum analyzer. Coupled with the PRISM HFA3861 Baseband Processor and HFA3783 I/Q Modulator/Demodulator, the best possible error-free data transfer rate for any given environment can be achieved. This is done by closed loop power control that monitors and controls HFA3983 output power and adjusts the AGC of the HFA3783 to control transmit power.

The SiGe BiCMOS process used in the fabrication of the HFA3983 provides high performance with low power consumption, allowing very high integration of RF circuits combined with good digital CMOS density. Intersil’s design expertise fully exploits SiGe’s deep trench isolation process, maximizing the attendant benefits of noise-reduction and circuit isolation to yield very high-density, high-performance RF designs. The PRISM II chips are designed to lead the industry in integration, performance, and power consumption, to give OEM customers the competitive edge in value vs. cost for a variety of WLAN applications.

Packaging, Pricing, Availability
The HFA3983 is available in a 28-lead exposed paddle TSSOP package – well suited for Type II PCMCIA board applications – or on Tape and Reel. It is priced at $3.11 in 100K quantities. For more information on the HFA3983 – including a complete data sheet – or the other ICs in the PRISM family, visit Intersil’s homepage at http:\\www.intersil.com/prism

Adoption of PRISM Technology
Since introducing the PRISM WLAN chip set in 1996, over forty companies have incorporated PRISM chips in more than 100 product designs. PRISM technology is designed to comply with the IEEE’s 802.11 global standard and Intersil plans to introduce better performing, more highly integrated chip set solutions roughly every nine months. PRISM chips are used in WLAN systems from industry leading companies including Compaq, Nokia, Siemens, 3Com, Nortel, Samsung, Zoom Telephonics, Aironet, and SpectraLink.

About PRISM II

Intersil’s PRISM II^{® Chip Set is the world’s most complete silicon solution for the design of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). Comprised of five highly integrated ICs incorporating advanced silicon germanium (SiGe) and sub-micron CMOS technology, PRISM II delivers all the required analog and digital circuitry for the PHY and MAC layers, providing a complete, "Antenna-to-Computer™" solution for high-data rate WLANs. PRISM II has been chosen by the world’s leading telecom, networking, and computer companies as a key part of high performance wireless products for home or office.}

About Intersil Corporation

Intersil Corporation uses analog, mixed-signal, power and radiation-hardening technologies to develop advanced integrated circuits and discrete semiconductors for high-growth segments of the communications, power and space/defense markets. Intersil Corporation employs 5,800 worldwide and utilizes the rich intellectual property heritage from Harris, GE Solid State and RCA. The company’s worldwide web site is located at http://www.intersil.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Specific risks include worldwide demand and product pricing for integrated circuits, and reductions in the U.S. and worldwide defense and space budgets. In addition, Intersil cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends and events to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

# # #

PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Corporation