News & Events
Intersil Introduces Single-Phase Buck Voltage Regulator to Power Next-Generation GPUs Used on Intel Santa Rosa Platforms

MILPITAS, CA, March 6, 2006 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog solutions, today introduced the ISL6263 single-phase buck voltage regulator that powers next-generation graphics processing units (GPUs) or graphics cores used on Intel’s Santa Rosa platforms. This device reduces power consumption and enhances the performance of the GPU by dynamically changing output voltage and operation modes corresponding to the advanced GPU control protocol.

The modulator at the heart of this power system is created using Intersil’s patented R3™ (Robust Ripple Regulator) technology. Compared with traditional single-phase buck regulators, Intersil’s R3-based converter provide better transient response and efficiency and is capable of changing the voltage output when the GPU is in suspend or sleep mode.

“Intersil’s ISL6263 provides 0.5 percent system accuracy across the entire temperature range, the highest accuracy in the industry,” said Majid Kafi, director of Intersil’s Notebook Power group. “This device allows users to pick higher tolerance inductors when they are using DCR (DC resistance) sensing. The transition to DCM (discontinuous conduction mode) enables the part to have higher efficiency at light load, and faster transient response is enabled due to Intersil’s R3 technology.”

Faster Transient Response, Improved Efficiency
Intersil’s ISL6263 5-bit VID (voltage identification) regulator provides 0.5 percent system accuracy over the entire temperature range, which allows wider tolerance of inductors for platforms using DCR current sensing. To boost battery life, the controller has the flexibility to go to lower switching frequency at DCM either through internal automatic inductor current sensing or programmed by VID.

Key Features

• Precision single-phase core voltage regulator
• 0.5 percent system accuracy over temperature
• Enhanced loadline accuracy
• Internal gate driver with 2A driving capability
• Microprocessor voltage identification input
  • 5-bit VID input
  • 0.4120V to 1.2875V in 25.75mV steps
  • Supports VID changes on the fly
• Multiple current sensing schemes supported
  • Lossless inductor DCR current sensing
  • Precision resistive current sensing
• User-programmable switching frequency
• Programmable DCM operation controlled by VID or through internal inductor current sensing
• Selection of audio switching frequency operation disable/enable for higher light load efficiency
• Differential remote voltage sensing
• Over-voltage, under-voltage and over-current protection

Target Applications

• Notebook computers systems
• LCD (liquid crystal display) PC systems
• SAN (storage-area network) or NAS (network-attached storage) systems
• Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals
• Blade servers

About Intersil’s Power Management Portfolio
Intersil is a recognized global leader in power management solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products that simplify a variety of power designs. Intersil’s family of power management ICs ranges from building blocks such as charge pumps, to highly-integrated, multiple-output and multiphase PWMs, to quad-voltage hot-swap controllers. As a leading supplier of PWM controller ICs with over 1 billion units shipped, Intersil addresses a broad range of power management needs for applications that include computing, communications, peripherals, display, networking, telecommunications, industrial, instrumentation and battery-powered products. To learn more, visit Intersil’s Power Management Web site at http://www.intersil.com/power.

Pricing and Availability
The ISL6263 is available now in a 32-lead Thin QFN package and is priced at $2.70 in 1,000-unit quantities. More information on the ISL6263 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL6263,0.html. A large selection of power products is supported by Intersil’s iSim™ online design tool. To explore these solutions, visit http://www.intersil.com/isim/. To view a broad range of application block diagrams, visit Intersil’s Application Design Center at http://www.intersil.com/applications/.

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of the ISL6263, visit Intersil’s photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp. About Intersil
Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL) is a leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog semiconductors. The Company’s products address three of the industry’s fastest growing markets: flat panel displays, handhelds and power management. Intersil products include power management devices for battery management, hot-swap and hot-plug controllers, linear regulators, supervisory ICs, switching DC/ DC regulators and power MOSFET drivers; optical storage laser diode drivers; DSL line drivers; video and high performance operational amplifiers; data converters; interface ICs; analog switches and multiplexers; crosspoint switches; voice-over-IP devices; and ICs for military, space and rad-hard applications. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the Company’s web site and career page at www.intersil.com.

iSim and R3 are trademarks of Intersil Americas, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.