News & Events
Intersil Debuts Industry's First Multiple-Output Switching Controller for Next Generation PCs

— Power management IC provides voltage regulation for peripherals on Intel^® Pentium^® 4-based Desktop PCs
— Microprocessor peripheral power controller is for next-generation desktop PCs

Irvine, CA, August 18, 2000 — Intersil (NASDAQ: ISIL), a leading provider of power management solutions for PCs, file servers and portable information appliances, today announced the availability of a multiple-output dc/dc controller specifically designed to regulate power to central processing unit (CPU) peripherals in next-generation desktop PCs featuring the Intel^® Pentium^® 4 processor. The four-in-one controller targets advanced configuration power interface (ACPI)-compliant, next generation desktop PCs.

"Intersil continues to design innovative devices for next-generation computing and information appliances," said Rick Furtney, vice president and general manager of Intersil¡¦s Power Management business. "Power management is becoming an increasingly important consideration for systems designers as voltage requirements and power efficiency for PCs grow in complexity. Intersil develops product roadmaps that enable us to anticipate and meet the stringent demands of designers and power management standards to provide reliable, 24 X 7 access to Internet content. In this instance, Intersil continues to lead the industry by providing the first multiple-output dc/dc controller to deliver power to microprocessor peripheral components."

In its booth at next week¡¦s Intel Developer Forum (#628), Intersil will feature its new four-in-one dc/dc controller that delivers a simple and efficient Pentium^® 4 power solution. When deployed with Intersil¡¦s multiphase chipset family, the dc/dc controller provides a complete motherboard power solution comprised of only three integrated circuits (ICs). By regulating the power delivered to microprocessor peripheral components, the device powers those that are required to stay "awake" during the computer stand-by modes. The high-integration level results in a high degree of design flexibility, a short design time, fewer required devices and a low bill-of-materials (BOM). The device is optimized for next-generation chipsets that support the Pentium^® 4 and that interface with high-speed RAMBUS^® memory.

The ACPI specification allows current and next-generation computer systems to be easily deployed in both the home and enterprise zones. The standard enables computers to transition into an "active state" to perform routine activities. When tasks are complete, the ACPI compliant systems revert to a "sleep state" where they consume less than five watts of power with the ability to quickly return to active mode in a high-efficiency state.

The multiple-output dc/dc controller, Intersil part number HIP6521, integrates one synchronous pulse width modulator (PWM) buck controller and three linear bipolar junction transistor (BJT) controllers. The device delivers high-quality regulated power to embedded application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), central processing units (CPUs), memory cards, computer chipsets and oscillators.

The device drives external bipolar transistors, reducing system cost relative to motherboard regulators that use only metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). The device requires only a handful of external components to complete a four-output dc/dc converter. Systems designers directly benefit from the up-integration and intelligent design as printed circuit board (PCB) area and surface-mount component placement costs are reduced.

Technical Information
The power management device accepts +5V and provides output voltages as low as +0.8V. Outputs are protected from over-current events and each output voltage is user-programmable by means of an external resistor divider, providing a „b 2 percent accuracy tolerance. The HIP6521 soft-start is internal and digitally controlled, eliminating the need for an external capacitor. The device requires +5V and +3.3V as input voltages, but also works off +5V when it is the only available supply rail. The device¡¦s over-current protection method employs sensing the on-resistance of the upper MOSFET to detect overload conditions. The Rds(on) current sensing scheme results in higher efficiency and lower cost computer and communication system power supplies.

Pricing and Availability
The HIP6521 is offered in 16-pin narrow-body SOIC packages and is available for $2.50 in 10,000 piece quantities.

About Intersil Corporation
Irvine, California-based Intersil uses its semiconductor expertise to enable highly integrated voice, data and video communications. Intersil's integrated communications portfolio includes PRISM^® Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) chip sets that enable mobile connectivity products for the home and office; analog, mixed-signal and digital integrated circuits for broadband access to wireless and wired Wide Area Networks (WANs); and power management products that enable 24x7 reliability in network servers, next generation PCs and information appliances. For more information about Intersil, visit the company's Internet homepage at www.intersil.com.

PRISM is a registered trademark of Intersil Corporation.

Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

Rambus is a registered trademark of Rambus Inc.

The price information for the HIP6521 in 16-pin narrow-body SOIC packaging contained herein, is subject to change without notice and it is not intended to, nor does it, create any contractual obligations or otherwise. The price information is for informational purposes only and does not reflect our current pricing. Current pricing can only be obtained through Intersil's authorized sales channels.

This press release contains information relating to certain projections and business trends, that are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to global and market conditions as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Intersil's filings with the Securities Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Intersil undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Specific risk factors can be found in Intersil¡¦s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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