Fairchild Semiconductor's New Family of Ultra-Compact, High-Speed Optocouplers Deliver Superior CMR Performance.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 13, 2003

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) today announces the release of the FODM452 and the FODM453, the first products in a new family of high-speed transistor optocouplers providing the highest common mode noise rejection (CMR) available, as well as the lowest package profile. Their unique coplanar construction allows these optocouplers to offer a CMR that is 30% superior to similar products, and their 5-pin, mini-flat packaging (MFP) housing reduces package volume by 35%, compared to commonly used 8-pin, SOIC-packaged optocouplers. Additional performance benefits of the FODM452 and FODM453 include high bandwidth (1Mb/s) and fast switching (less than 1us turn-on/turn-off). The advanced performance and small package size of these new optocouplers make them ideal for line receiver, output interface to CMOS-LSTTL-TTL, pulse transformer replacement and wide bandwidth analog coupling applications.

The FODM452 and the FODM453 contain a high-speed transistor photodetector coupled with a high-efficiency, infrared light emitting diode. The products' photodiode is separated from the collector of the transistor to significantly improve bandwidth, compared to traditional phototransistor detectors. These optocouplers are able to offer a superior CMR performance by using a proprietary shielding method on the silicon photodetector, as well as by using coplanar packaging construction; a technique that places the input and output lead frames on a single plane -- as opposed to conventional over-under construction that places the input and output leadframes in parallel. Coplanar packaging reduces the surface area across the isolation barrier and the separation between input and output leadframes, thus lowering the input to output capacitance. This lower capacitance reduces the ability for noise to get coupled through the package.

"In today's factory environments, managing unwanted electrical noise is becoming increasingly challenging," said John Constantino, strategic marketing manager for Fairchild's Optoelectronics group. "Fairchild's new high-speed optocouplers provide additional noise immunity, which reduces the probability of data errors caused by common mode noise."

The FODM452 and FODM453 are UL approved (VDE and CSA pending) and their performance is guaranteed over a 0 to 70 degrees Celsius temperature range. These products expand Fairchild's solutions for power conversion and isolation, which include switching regulators, MOSFETs, PWM controllers, LDOs, rectifiers and diodes.

    Price: FODM452: US$0.80 (1,000 pcs)
           FODM453: US$0.83 (1,000 pcs)

Availability: 6 weeks lead time. Samples available now.

For more information about these two products go to http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/FO/FODM452.html or http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/FO/FODM453.html. For information on other Fairchild products, design tools and sales contacts, visit http://www.fairchildsemi.com.

Editor's Note: Datasheets for these products in .PDF format are available by visiting:

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FO/FODM453.pdf

http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FO/FODM452.pdf

About Fairchild Semiconductor:

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) is a leading global supplier of high performance products for multiple end markets. With a focus on developing leading edge power and interface solutions to enable the electronics of today and tomorrow, Fairchild's components are used in computing, communications, consumer, industrial and automotive applications. Fairchild's 10,000 employees design, manufacture and market power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic and optoelectronics products from its headquarters in South Portland, Maine, USA and numerous locations around the world. Please contact us on the Web at www.fairchildsemi.com.