News & Events
Intersil Releases Industry's First Blu-Ray Disc Format Laser Driver to Enable Next-Generation Consumer HDTV and PC Optical Disc Recording

-- EL6900C driver increases recording capability from 4.7 to 27 GB on a single-side CD/DVD

IRVINE, CA, September 9, 2002 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions, today announced the release of the world’s first laser driver designed specifically for the new Blu-Ray Disc industry-standard disc-recording format. The Blu-Ray Disc standard is the next-generation recording technology beyond DVD that dramatically increases recording density by using a shorter-wavelength 405-nm blue-violet laser – compared to the conventional longer-wavelength 650-nm red laser used for today’s DVD technology.

"Intersil is once again leading the industry in the next wave of video and data storage technology. The EL6900C and the Blu-Ray Disc recording standard satisfy the surging demand for increased disc-based video and data recording capacity, " said Michelle Abraham, senior analyst with In-Stat/MDR. "We project this new technology will propel the DVD rewritable market to 62 million units in 2006."

The Blu-Ray Disc shorter-wavelength laser enables a smaller spot size and track pitch to be recorded on the disc and thus increases the storage density from 4.7 to 27 GB on a single side disc. The 27-GB Blu-Ray Disc format is targeted into a variety of applications including PC archival data storage Ultra Density Optical (UDO) drives and Consumer digital video recorders (DVR) to record up to two hours of high-definition television (HDTV) on a single 120-mm DVD/CD size disc.

“The EL6900C is our first product offering on our roadmap of Blu-Ray Disc format write strategy laser drivers and demonstrates our commitment to developing the first industry-enabling products for emerging high growth Optical Disc Storage Markets,” said Mohan Maheswaran, vice president and general manager of Intersil’s Elantec Product Group. “We will continue to develop state of the art products that enable increasing write-speed performance and integration of system-level features that offer the highest performance and most cost effective system-level solution in the industry.”

How the EL6900C Implements the Blu-Ray Disc Standard
The innovative architecture of the EL6900C programmable laser driver has the Blu-Ray Disc standard write-strategy waveforms integrated into its high-speed waveform generator. This eliminates the need to drive high-speed timing signals and the critical accuracy write-current power levels over the flex cable. Instead, these signals are all programmed digitally and converted internally to the analog output to drive the laser. This results in a dramatic reduction in time and amplitude noise. In addition, multi-level programmability increases the fidelity of the write operation and enables this architecture to breakthrough the performance limits and design problems of existing parallel architecture laser diode drivers.

“The EL6900C integrates key functions needed to simplify the design of closed-loop automatic power control. This is a major breakthrough and will enable increasing write performance, flexibility and lower-cost system solutions over existing architectures,” said Stephen P. Sacarisen, marketing director for Intersil’s Optical Products Group.

EL6900C Technical Description
The EL6900C offers significant performance and cost-saving benefits. On-chip real-time power control is provided because the EL6900C includes a two-channel sample-and-hold amplifier that can be programmed for four separate gains under register control. Time and manufacturing costs are further reduced because each channel has an 8-bit calibration DAC to eliminate the need for external potentiometers, normally required for external calibration at manufacturing.

Each channel’s 210-MHz clock speed enables up to 3X Blu-Ray Disc write performance. Closed-loop automatic power control (APC) is supported with the EL6900’s additional Islope and IAPC inputs. A separate high-current driver for the laser is not needed because the EL6900C contains a high-current output that directly drives current into the blue-violet laser. A digital serial bus makes it easy to program the internal command and data registers. Other features include: programmable amplitude and frequency modulation, low- noise read amplifier, programmable laser slope compensation DAC and programmable laser threshold current DAC.

EL6900C Key Features

• Blu-Ray Disc standard
• Complete highly integrated laser diode driver
• High-current output for direct laser drive
• On-chip real-time power control
• 8-bit X 8-bit multiplying DAC output provides 8-bit full-scale adjustment and 8-bit resolution at any full-scale output
• Two analog inputs support slope and read automatic power control
• 120-ps timer resolution
• HFM oscillator programmable to 100 mAp-p from 100 to 500 MHz
• PLL allows reduced clock frequency on flex cable
• Serial data input works up to 25 MHz
• Dual sampled I/V amplifier with programmable sample select and gain select

EL6900C Availability and Pricing
The EL6900C is available now in the 38-pin leadless plastic package (LPP). Each IC is priced at $5.00 in 10,000-unit quantities. Contact Stephen P. Sacarisen for more information at: 408-945-1323 x 345.

To learn more about Intersil’s Elantec optical storage devices and solutions, visit the Intersil Web site at: http://www.intersil.com/cda/application_e/0,1293,36,00.html

Intersil + Elantec Means More for Our Customers
Intersil Corporation is a global semiconductor leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions. The acquisition of Elantec Semiconductor, Inc., expanded Intersil’s product portfolios to address four fast growing markets – flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable), power management, and wireless networking. Intersil brings added customer value in providing complete silicon, software and reference design solutions to new products that enhance the computing experience for people wherever they live, work or travel. 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 This press release contains 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 Intersil Corporation’s (“Intersil”) management’s current expectations, estimates, beliefs, assumptions, and projections about Intersil’s business and industry. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “potential,” “continue,” and variations of these words (or negatives 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. 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 Blu-Ray Disc Format laser driver market include, but are not limited to: the slowdown in the technology sector generally and the semiconductor industry specifically; the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Intersil’s optical storage technologies and products; the rate at which consumers purchase desktop and notebook computers, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable), and video technologies and products; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders; the ability of our customers to manage inventory; 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 and quality of our foundry capacity and raw materials; availability, pricing, and quality of third party foundry and assembly and test capacity and raw materials; fluctuations in the manufacturing yields of our third party foundries and assembly and test facilities, and other problems or delays in the fabrication, assembly, testing or delivery of our products; the risks of producing products with new suppliers and at new fabrication and assembly and test facilities; problems or delays that we may face in shifting our products to smaller geometry process technologies; the effectiveness of Intersil’s expense and product cost control and reduction efforts; the risks inherent in acquisitions, including the acquisition of Elantec Semiconductor, Inc. (including integration issues; costs and unanticipated expenditures; changing relationships with customers, suppliers, and strategic partners; potential contractual, employment, and intellectual property issues; risks of not securing regulatory approvals; accounting treatment and charges; and the risks that the acquisition cannot be completed successfully, or that the anticipated benefits of the acquisition are not realized); intellectual property disputes, customer indemnification claims, and other litigation risks; Intersil’s ability to develop, market, and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a timely manner; the quality of Intersil’s products and any repair or replacement costs; the risks and uncertainties associated with Intersil’s global operations, particularly in light of the war on terrorism; the effects of natural disasters, international conflicts and other events beyond our control; the level of orders received and the ability to fill those orders in a given fiscal quarter; and other factors. Intersil’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Intersil filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (which you may obtain for free at the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov) discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this communication and Intersil undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. Elantec is a trademark of Intersil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries.
All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.