News & Events
Intersil Introduces Industry’s First Multiple-Output Voltage Regulator for New PC Chip Sets

— Five-output power management IC provides five active or sleep-state voltages on ACPI-compliant computer motherboards

Irvine, CA, August 8, 2000 — Intersil (NASDAQ: ISIL), a leading systems-oriented provider of ICs and semiconductors for the integrated communications market, announced today the industry’s first multiple-output voltage regulator specifically designed for the second generation of computer motherboard chip sets supporting Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) power management specifications.

The ACPI specification allows current and next-generation computer systems to be easily deployed in the home and office. 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 return to active mode in a high-efficiency state.

"Intersil’s new ACPI voltage regulator provides a compelling value proposition to architects of next-generation computer motherboards," said Rick Furtney, vice president and general manager of Intersil’s Power Management business. "A single Intersil IC reduces system cost and design time and improves system reliability as it replaces nearly 40 discrete components. A leading computer manufacturer worked in tandem with Intersil while designing the device, tailoring it to meet the needs of system designers as they receive their first shipments of next-generation computer chipsets. This device represents another Intersil innovation that supports the growing demand for next generation computers and information appliances."

Intersil’s new ACPI integrated circuit (IC) regulates power delivery in computer systems. The voltage regulator includes "smart" circuitry that has the ability to detect AC power loss during motherboard active and sleep power states. Based upon the level of power loss, the circuit intelligently switches the computer system into the ACPI-defined S5 stand-by mode if required. Intersil’s single device eliminates as many as thirty-nine components, drastically reducing the chance of component failure.

The device integrates five linear regulators, interfacing with the computer system through four digital lines. Intersil’s new voltage regulator enables the computer operating system to control the hardware and delegate power delivery according to the requirements of each individual sub-system block by enabling four support configurations and ACPI interface control. The device delivers a host of system monitoring and protection features such as soft start, over current protection, over temperature protection, under voltage protection and prevention of "illegal" ACPI state transitions.

The reduction of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) area and surface mount component placement costs is significant. With the Intersil voltage regulator, a typical voltage regulation application now requires only eight external components to regulate five of the ACPI active or sleep-state voltages needed for next-generation motherboards. Wherever possible, current drive compatibility with external bipolar transistors was designed into the IC, reducing system cost relative to motherboard regulators utilizing only MOSFETs as power switches.

Technical Information
The new voltage regulator utilizes a standard ATX supply ("silver box") and works in conjunction with Intersil’s complementary product offerings such as the HIP6020/21 four-in-one Pulse-Width-Modulated (PWM) controllers and 30V n-channel UltraFET™ MOSFETs.

The two-chip set approach provides the industry’s most-highly integrated power management solution for computer motherboards employing Pentium^® III microprocessors and generation-2 Intel^®, SiS, Via, and Ali chip sets.

Pricing and Availability
Intersil’s latest voltage regulator, part number HIP6503, is offered in 20-pin narrow-body SOIC packages. The device cost is $2.12 in 10,000 piece quantities. For further information about the HIP6503, visit the home page at http://www.intersil.com/data/fn/fn4/fn4882.

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 and UltraFET is a trademark of Intersil Corporation.

Intel and Pentium III are trademarks of Intel Corporation.

The price information for the HIP6503 in 20-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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