News & Events
Intersil Turbocharges RS-485/422 Family with New 20 Mbps High Speed +/-15kV ESD Protected Transceiver

MILPITAS, CA, September 10, 2003 -- Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog solutions, today announced a new high-speed and ESD-protected RS-485/422 serial data transceiver, the ISL4485E. This new transceiver provides 20 Mbps serial data transfer capability and high electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of +/-15 kV required for many industrial applications. Data can be transmitted at rates up to 20 Mbps for distances in excess of 400 feet. Typical applications include factory automation, security networks, industrial/process control networks (e.g., Fieldbus) and building environmental control.

“Intersil’s RS-485/422 family now includes a comprehensive selection of half- and full-duplex 250 kbps, 5 Mbps, 20 Mbps and ESD protected serial data transceivers,” said Mamoon Rashid, Director of Marketing for Intersil’s Analog Solutions Products. “Our market strategy has been to develop drop-in upgrade products that bring enhanced performance in signaling and other key parameters to improve reach and data integrity. Customers are responding.”

The new ISL4485E is a 20 Mbps RS-485/422 transceiver IC rated for a +/-15-kV ESD protection level (Human Body Model – HBM). Operating from a nominal 5-V supply, it is guaranteed to meet the specifications over a +/-10% tolerance supply range (4.5 to 5.5 V). That’s twice the voltage range tolerance offered by most competing ICs and allows for a less critical and less costly supply design. The ISL4485E is a half-duplex transceiver offering multiplexed receiver (Rx) inputs and driver (Tx) outputs to support Rx and Tx disable functions. It is fully compliant to RS-485 and RS-422 specifications and support up to 32 devices on the same bus. Balanced differential signaling ensures high noise immunity and long reach for reliable serial data transfer. Receiver and driver enable pins along with output current and thermal limiting ensure adverse-event survival and increased reliability.

ISL4485E Technical Details

• 20 Mbps data rate
• Half duplex operation
• +/-15 kV HBM ESD protection on Tx output and Rx input pins
  • Class 3 (+/-7 kV) ESD protection on all other pins
• +/-10% supply tolerance – twice nearest competing product
• -7 to +12 V common mode input voltage range
• Multiplexed Rx inputs and driver Tx outputs to support Rx and Tx disable functions and reduce package size and pin count
• Differential signaling fully compliant to RS-485/422 standards
• Receiver and driver enables – tri-state Tx/Rx
• Current limiting and thermal shutdown for driver overload protection
• 8-lead SOIC industrial temperature range package
• Drop-in upgrade for industry-standard devices of similar nomenclature

Price and Availability
The ISL4485E is available now. Suggested resale pricing for 100- to 999-unit quantities is $1.30 each for the ISL4485EIB (SOIC package). Visit this Intersil Web site for cross-reference and other information: http://www.intersil.com/design/interface/rs-485.asp About Intersil
Intersil Corporation 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, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable) and power management. 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 release may include "forward looking statements" that are subject to risks and uncertainties. For information identifying economic, political, climatic, currency, regulatory, technological, competitive and some other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward looking statements, see Intersil’s Safe Harbor Forward Looking Statement disclaimer found at http://www.intersil.com/legal.asp, as well as Intersil’s SEC filings as updated from time to time, found at http://www.sec.gov. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.