News & Events
Intersil Introduces Advanced CommLink 130 MHz Digital-to-Analog-Converters

— Three versions (10, 12 and 14 bit) with maximum clock speed of 130 MHz~— New digital-to-analog converter supports all 2.5G and 3G cellular protocols

IRVINE, CA, May 23, 2001 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a leading developer of silicon technology for wireless infrastructure, announced today a new series of next-generation CommLink™ high-speed digital-to-analog-converters (DACs) that support the development of high-performance wireless communications products.

The new DACs can be integrated into a wide range of products including cellular base stations, high-end test equipment, medical imaging, emergency location services, satellite terminal equipment and point-to-point and point-to-multi-point wireless access terminals. Additionally, Intersil’s new ISL5X61 DACs support all current and next generation cellular protocols.

Traditionally, high dynamic range wireless communications applications require the adjustment—occasionally manual adjustment—of setup and hold timing in order to optimize the level of spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) performance in the overall signal chain. The ISL5X61 series delivers increased levels of SFDR stability across setup and hold timing on the input, imposing less stringent requirements on input timing and simplifying overall transmitter design. The devices also feature low power consumption (<100mW at maximum update rate) and sleep mode capability, further reducing power consumption in idle channel conditions.

"Intersil is a recognized leader in software defined radio for cellular infrastructure and during our efforts to develop DAC technology optimized for base station applications, we have created a device that also improves the data conversion process in a number of other demanding applications," said John Krehbiel, vice president of the CommLink product line at Intersil. "Our new DACs have broad appeal and enhance Intersil’s ability to address the strong demand for high performance, high speed converters."

Technical Specifications

The CommLink ISL5X61 family of DACs consists of .35um pin-compatible 10- 12- and 14-bit converters operating from a +3.3V supply voltage at clock speeds up to 130 MHz.

The ISL5961 achieves greater than 70dBc SFDR when operating at sampling frequencies up to 210 MSPS and an output frequency centered at 15 MHz. For the cellular base station market, the device achieves 3G- Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS) Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR) performance of greater than 70dB at an output frequency of 15.36 MHz while updating the device at a rate of 76.8 MSPS. For 2.5G-Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE) systems, the device yields SFDR performance of 86dBc at 2 MHz offset from a carrier frequency of 15 MHz.

Packaging and Availability

The new CommLink ISL5X16 family of converters is currently sampling and will be released in the third quarter of 2001. The 14-bit ISL5961, the 12-bit ISL5861 and the 10-bit ISL5761 devices are available in a 28 lead SOIC package.

For further application and testing information please visit the CommLink product FAQ at www.intersil.com/design/commlink

About CommLink

Intersil develops and markets software defined radio integrated circuits for cellular base stations — including digital up- and down-converters and data conversion devices — that are designed to accommodate all current and next-generation protocols, including GSM, IS-136 TDMA, EDGE, IS-95 CDMA, 3G and AMPS. Intersil’s technology also addresses the stringent needs of the smart antenna application within the cellular marketplace that addresses the frequency capacity limitations that are inherent in current cellular base station systems. For further information, visit Intersil’s CommLink website at www.intersil.com/design/commlink

About Intersil

Intersil is a leading supplier of semiconductors, reference designs and software for wireless access and communications analog markets. Intersil applies analog, mixed-signal and radio frequency (RF) expertise to products that enable wireless access to broadband media; provide reliable power management for PCs, files servers and portable information appliances; and convert analog and digital signals in cellular and Internet infrastructure. For more information about Intersil, visit the company's Internet homepage at www.intersil.com

This press release contains information relating to certain projections and business trends concerning the WLAN market that are forward-looking statements as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, and projections about our business and industry. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will" and variations of these words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Furthermore, any forward-looking statements and projections made by others in this press release are not adopted by Intersil Holding Corporation ("Intersil") and Intersil is not responsible for the forward-looking statements and projections of others. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, our actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various risk factors. Important risk factors that may cause such material differences for Intersil in connection with the wireless communications market include, but are not limited to: the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Intersil’s wireless communications technologies and products; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders; the loss of a key customer; the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products; silicon wafer pricing and the availability of foundry and assembly capacity and raw materials; intellectual property disputes; as well as other risk factors detailed from time to time in Intersil’s filings with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC") which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s Web site www.sec.gov. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and Intersil undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements.

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CommLink is a trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.