News & Events
Xicor® Introduces Family of Multi-Voltage Power Supply Sequencers, X80200-Series

-- Flexible Solutions for Simple to Complex Power Sequencing Designs

MILPITAS, California – July 8, 2003 – Xicor, Inc. (Nasdaq: XICO), a leading supplier of analog mixed-signal integrated circuits today announced a new family of power supply sequencers designed for processor sub-systems and multi-voltage systems. The X80200 family of devices provides power up timing between primary and secondary voltage supplies. Each X80200 device can independently sequence three separate voltage supply sources in various ramp-up and ramp-down timing schemes.

The X80200 family consists of five device options that support power sequencing of supplies from 0.9V to 5V. Each device integrates three drivers to enable/disable external N-channel MOSFET switches, voltage monitors, power up/down sequencing logic and 2-wire bus interface circuits and provides flexible sequencing for three power supplies. The architecture of the X80200 allows for a wide range of timing between output voltages. Embedded into each X80200 is a “core voltage up first, down last” sequencing logic scheme that is required by new microcontrollers, ASICs, and FPGAs.

The X80200 solves simple to complex power sequencing problems in which one to several devices can be cascaded to control a large number of multi-voltage supply sources. Up to 8 devices can operate on a single 2-wire bus allowing sequencing for up to 24 supplies. The 2-wire bus also provides remote shutdown of the supplies and a monitor of the power supply status.

Power sequencers are used in various applications in the communications, consumer, and industrial markets. These end applications include: Routers, Gigabit Ethernet, Cellular Base Stations, Mass Storage Devices, Industrial or Process Controllers, ATE or Data Acquisition Equipment and Multi- Processor Processing.

Controlled power sequencing is crucial between the system control chips and peripheral chips such as CPUs, DSPs, FPGAs, ASICs and other various chips. Proper power sequencing resolves latch-up problems associated with tight voltage supply timing requirements for multiple voltage supply systems and regulates power ramp surges. Improper power sequencing can damage integrated circuits, shutdown a system and compromise the quality and reliability of the system.

“In many cases, sequencing failures are intermittent and difficult to detect. The X80200 supports intelligent power sequencing by providing status and bypass control of each of the drivers through the 2- wire serial bus,” stated Tony Ochoa, marketing manager. “This feature is significant for smart power designs by providing system diagnostics to determine the status of the control mechanisms of each of the voltage supply paths.”

Xicor will be offering an evaluation platform using three DC-DC regulators with the X80200 to demonstrate various power sequencing solutions for key customers. Production samples are available in 20-lead TSSOP packaging with 1k unit prices starting at $2.40 USD.

About Xicor
Xicor designs, develops and markets high performance analog mixed-signal integrated circuits used in communications, computing, networking and industrial applications. Xicor’s Mixed-Signal Products include data conversion products, power management integrated circuits, application specific standard products and interface devices. Xicor’s programmable, analog mixed-signal components regulate, control, convert and manage various voltages and currents through the use of a serial interface and internal EEPROM.

Xicor products, corporate and financial information are readily available on the World Wide Web at http://www.xicor.com

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