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Intersil's Window Comparators Enable Device Testing without Bus Isolation Relays

-- Intersil's ISL55141/2/3, with Integrated Window Comparators and Input Voltage Range up to 18V, Provide Multi-level Threshold Testing in Wide Voltage Range Applications

MILPITAS, CA, September 18, 2006 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, today introduced the ISL55141/2/3 family of products. This family of window comparators enables semiconductor device testing with ATE (automatic test equipment) in large voltage swing applications without the need for bus isolation relays, saving set-up time and cost.

The testing of devices with large input or output voltage swing requirements, such as flash memory wafers that may use tester signals up to 15V, typically requires discrete isolation relays to disconnect test cards from the test bus when they are not in use. Intersil’s single-chip window comparators save space by eliminating the need for isolation relays, and save time by removing the set-up associated with the card isolation function, streamlining the testing process.

“Users can leave the ISL55141/2/3 comparators connected to the bus while they are not being used, even when the bus is generating wide signal voltage levels from other test cards,” said Chris Ludeman, marketing manager for Intersil’s Switch, Multiplexer and ATE product group. “This allows for reduced tester set-up time, faster throughput, and lower unit test costs for customers who buy these testers.”

Flexibility and Ease of Use
Intersil’s ISL55141/2/3 products utilize a window comparator architecture on-chip rather than the single comparator architectures of competing devices. This allows significantly more circuit integration on test cards, freeing up space for other tester functionality.
In these devices, two reference voltages can be used to establish high and low specification points for a device output signal to be tested. In this way, it is possible to perform high-speed digital performance testing of semiconductor devices under a variety of load conditions.

The ISL55141/2/3 provide a wide input voltage range and high input signal bandwidth to enhance test coverage, while the low input offset voltage enables very accurate signal testing. High input impedance across a wide input range can eliminate test bus isolation relays, resulting in lower product cost and more free board space.

This family of products is simple to work with. In a typical application, the comparator is connected to a test bus. It receives static or dynamic signals from a device under test (DUT), then compares these signals to pre-defined reference voltage levels, and provides digital output to indicate that the reference thresholds have been crossed. These outputs are then transmitted to the test controller at signal levels that can be set by the tester designer. This allows the tester to interface with a wide range of logic families.

All three devices include a power-down mode with less than 10uA of current draw. The ISL55141 includes a single window comparator, while the ISL55142 has two and the ISL55143 provides four. All three versions can accept input signals up to 65Mhz in frequency.

Key Features

• 18V signal range
• 65MHz operating frequency
• Low skew and 8ns minimum pulse width
• Low 50mV input offset to increase signal measurement accuracy
• User-selectable logic level output
• High input signal bandwidth
• Bipolar input signal handling

Target Applications

• Flash memory wafer testers
• Burn-in testers
• Low-cost ATE (automated test equipment)
• LCD panel testing

Pricing and Availability
The ISL55141/2/3 family is available now in QFN and TSSOP packages. The ISL55141 is priced at $1.52, the ISL55142 is priced at $2.02, and the ISL55143 is priced at $3.91. All prices are in 1,000-unit quantities. More information on the ISL55141 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL55141,0.html, more information on the ISL55142 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL55142,0.html and more information on the ISL55143 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL55143,0.html.

About Intersil's Amplifier Portfolio
Intersil op amps are designed to meet today's increasing complexities for communication, video, and imaging applications. This high-speed analog portfolio delivers low power, superior drive, and slew rate performance at full bandwidths. These devices are the perfect choice for video and high-speed data transmission, A/D buffering, and high frequency filtering. The complete line of Intersil op amps, buffers, comparators, and transistor arrays covers the DC to GHz frequency range and includes special features like output disable, output limiting, and programmable gain functions. To learn more about Intersil’s amplifier portfolio, visit the Amplifiers page at http://www.intersil.com/amps/.

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of the ISL55141/2/3, please 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, other handheld systems, and notebooks. Intersil’s product families address power management functions 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 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 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.