News & Events
Intersil Expands Portfolio of RS-232 Transmitters/Receivers with High Data Rate, Three-Volt Device Series

— Low supply current and enhanced automatic power-down features assure long battery life in cell phones and portable information appliances
— Redesigned transmitter provides wireless access to broadband media content

IRVINE, Calif. — June 8, 2000 — Intersil (NASDAQ: ISIL), a leading developer of silicon technology for integrated communications applications, announced today the addition of the ICL3244 and ICL3245 to its family of low-voltage RS-232 transmitter-receiver interface devices. These interface devices are designed for use in cellular/mobile phones, PCs, and other portable battery operated appliances that require increased data communication speeds and low operational supply current drain. The RS-232 interface is used in most computers to communicate and exchange data with modems and other serial devices.

The ICL3244 and ICL3245 feature a transmitter circuit that effectively converts TTL/CMOS signal levels to RS-232 levels at guaranteed minimum data rates of 250,000 bits per second (bps) for the ICL3244, and a minimum of 1,000,000 bps for the ICL3245. Such transfer rates are essential for all applications where the RS-232 communications port constrains the data pipeline.

"Serial connections can be much faster than slower mediums that carry multiple signals in parallel," said Joel Alcorn, product marketing manager for Intersil. "The ICL3244 and ICL3245 are designed to support these higher-speed operations, and they can also be deployed in applications that don’t require a high-speed serial interface."

The 3-volt devices conserve precious battery life by using only 0.3 milliamps(mA) during normal operation. The manual and enhanced automatic power-down features increase battery life further by reducing standby supply current to less than a 1mA trickle.

Intersil offers one of the broadest portfolios of low-voltage RS-232 transmitter-receivers on the market that deliver a comprehensive array of transmitter/receiver interface circuits specifically suited for portable, battery operated applications. The Intersil family of low-voltage RS-232 transmitter-receiver interface devices are used in cellular/mobile phones; laptop and palmtop computers; printers, terminals, terminal adapters and other peripherals; portable instrumentation, such as bar code readers and scanners; and high-speed modems.

Component Features
The ICL3244 and ICL3245 feature an enhanced automatic power-down feature that reduces the power to the on-chip power-supply and driver circuits. This occurs when any receiver and transmitter have not received signal transitions for 30 seconds. Both the ICL3244 and ICL3245 automatically increase power when a signal transition is sensed on any transmitter or receiver input.

All Intersil drivers feature true TTL/CMOS input compatibility slew rate-limited output and 300ohm power-off source impedance. The receivers can handle up to ±30V input, and have a 3,000-ohm to 7,000 ohm-input impedance. The receivers also feature hysteresis to greatly improve noise rejection.

Device Specifications
The ICL3244 AND ICL3245 meet the full spectrum of RS-232 performance specifications to accommodate a wide range of applications.

Pricing and Availability
Available from stock in SOIC or SSOP packages, Intersil’s interface devices are aggressively priced against competition (pricing based on quantities of 100-999).

About Intersil
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.

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