News & Events
Intersil Simplifies Brightness Control in Portable Applications

-- ISL29001 and ISL29002 Light-to-Digital Output Sensors Combine Two Photodiodes, Current Amplifier, 50Hz/60Hz Rejection Filter and 15-Bit ADC for a Fully Integrated Brightness Control IC

MILPITAS, CA, August 21, 2006 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, today introduced two new light-to-digital sensors. The ISL29001 and ISL29002 sense visible light (380nm to 770nm) and convert light intensity to an easy-to-use 15-bit, I²C standard digital output signal.

These new devices integrate a current amplifier, a 50Hz/60Hz rejection filter to eliminate artificial light flicker and a 15-bit ADC (analog-to-digital converter. These integrated light-to-digital sensors achieve peak sensitivity close to that of the human eye with low power consumption, improving battery life and panel visibility in backlight control applications.

“Intersil’s ISL29001/2 light-to-digital sensors are a perfect fit in applications where performance, flexibility and small size are critical,” said Oleg Steciw, marketing manager for Intersil’s Display products group. “These devices are fully integrated to give customers a one-chip solution that converts light intensity to a 15-bit, I²C digital output signal that can be fed directly into a controller for backlight control in portable applications.”

Analog Light Sensing with Digital Ease-of-Use
Intersil’s ISL29001 operates from the 0.3 lux to 10,000 lux range and the ISL29002 operates from the 1.0 lux to 100,000 lux range. The spectral wavelength sensitivity of these devices is very closely matched to that of the human eye (550nm peak response). The extremely efficient ISL29001 and ISL29002 also feature a power-down mode for further power savings. These devices automatically compensate for die temperature by utilizing Intersil’s two-diode design architecture. The ISL29001 comes in a space-saving 2.0 mm x 2.1 mm lead-free package and has a wide operating temperature range (-40 degrees C to +85 degrees C). The ISL29002 comes in an 8-lead, 3.0 mm x 3.0 mm (0 degrees C to +70 degrees C) package and has three address-selection pins that allow up to eight sensors on a single I²C bus line.

Key Features

• Human eye response (peak sensitivity at 550nm)
• Temperature-compensated
• 15-bit effective output resolution
• I²C interface
• 2.5V to 3.3V supply and supports 5V I²C bus
• Three I²C address selection pins on the ISL29002
  • Allows for up to 8 light sensors on a single I²C bus line
• Adjustable resolution: 3 to 15 counts per lux on the ISL29001; 0.15 to 1.65 counts per lux on the ISL29002
• Simple output code, directly proportional to lux
• 0.3 lux to 10,000 lux range on the ISL29001
• 1 lux to 100,000 lux range on the ISL29002
• 50Hz/60Hz rejection to eliminate artificial light flicker
• -40 degrees C to +85 degrees C operating temperature range on the ISL29001
• 0 degrees C to +70 degrees C on the ISL29002
• Pb-free plus anneal packaging (RoHS compliant)

Target Applications

• Flat panel backlight control
• Keyboard backlight control
• Medical and industrial sensing
• Digital and still cameras
• Intrusion detection
• Lighting controls

About Intersil’s Ambient Light Sensors
Intersil’s portfolio of light-to-analog and light-to-digital sensors provides the ideal method for monitoring ambient light for brightness control in computing and handheld devices. Intersil’s integrated IC light sensors have superior sensitivity and power consumption when compared to traditional stand-alone photodiodes, photoresistors and phototransistors. These devices can be used for power-saving control or in any application that requires backlight control, including mobile phones, PDAs, notebook computers, monitors, flat panel TV displays, keyboard backlighting, automotive cluster gauges, automotive panel displays, Web pads and both video and still cameras. All of Intersil’s light sensors are compensated for drift over time and temperature and in addition to brightness control can be used for motion-sensing, intrusion-detection and various other industrial and medical sensing applications such as oximeters and blood glucose systems. To learn more, visit Intersil’s Display ICs page at http://www.intersil.com/display/.

Pricing and Availability
The ISL29001 is available now in a 6-lead DFN package and is priced at $1.30, and the ISL29002 is available now in an 8-lead DFN package and is priced at $1.39. Both prices are in 1,000-unit quantities. More information on the ISL29001 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL29001,0.html and more information on the ISL29002 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL29002,0.html.

A large selection of amplifier 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/apps.

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of the ISL29001/2, visit Intersil’s photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp.

About Intersil
Intersil Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors. The Company's products address some of the industry's fastest growing markets such as flat panel displays, cell phones, handheld products and notebook computing. Intersil’s product families address both power management and analog signal processing functions. Intersil products include ICs for battery management; hot-swap and hot-plug controllers; linear regulators; supervisory ICs; switching DC/DC regulators; 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 radiation-hardened 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 is a trademark of Intersil Americas, Inc. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.