Intersil's New Endura MOSFET Driver IC Enables High Power Conversion and Handles Fast Switching.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MILPITAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 16, 2003

Intersil (Nasdaq:ISIL):

-- IC drives 3000-pF load with an 8-ns propagation delay and less than 10-ns transition time

-- Tiny 3 X 3 mm QFN package option saves board space and offers added thermal efficiency

Intersil Corporation (Nasdaq:ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions, today announced the new Endura(TM) ISL6605 Synchronous-Rectified Buck Converter IC. This compact IC offers a high degree of integration with very high performance in a small package - saves precious board space, parts count and reduces costs. Target applications for the ISL6605 include core power for both Intel(R) and AMD(R) microprocessors, high-frequency low-profile DC-DC converters, high-current low-voltage DC-DC converters and synchronous rectification for isolated power supplies.

The ISL6605 is a high-frequency 4-A dual-MOSFET driver optimized to drive two N-channel power MOSFETs in a synchronous-rectified buck converter topology. This driver combined with an Intersil HIP63xx or ISL65xx multiphase buck PWM controller forms a complete single-stage core voltage regulator solution with high efficiency performance at high switching frequencies for advanced microprocessors.

Package options for the ISL6605 include the 8-lead Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) package and the very tiny 3 X 3 mm Quad Flat No-lead (QFN) package. The high switching frequency capabilities of the ISL6605 and the small size of the QFN package enable extremely small low-profile converter designs. The QFN package also delivers improved thermal characteristics provided by a central grounded copper land on the underside surface that is solder-bonded to the board during reflow. This provides excellent thermal transfer and adds mechanical stability for the contact pads along the IC's perimeter.

The ISL6605 is biased by a single low-voltage 5-V supply and minimizes lower-driver switching losses for high MOSFET gate capacitance and high switching frequency applications. Each driver is capable of driving a 3000-pF load with an 8-ns propagation delay and less than 10-ns transition time. The ISL6605 implements bootstrapping on the upper gate with an internal bootstrap Schottky diode, reducing implementation cost and complexity. Adaptive shoot-through protection is integrated to prevent both MOSFETs from conducting simultaneously. The ISL6605 features a 4-A sink current for the lower gate driver, which is capable of holding the lower MOSFET gate off during the phase node rising edge to prevent shoot-through power loss.

This new Intersil Endura MOSFET driver also features a three-state PWM input that, when working together with Intersil multiphase PWM controllers, prevents negative transients on the output voltage when the output is being shut down. This feature eliminates the Schottky diode that is usually used to protect the microprocessor from power system reverse output voltage.

ISL6605 Features Summary

-- Drives two N-channel MOSFETs

-- Adaptive shoot-through protection

-- 0.4-Ohm ON resistance and 4-A sink current capability

-- Supports high switching frequencies

-- Fast output rise time

-- Propagation delay only 8 ns

-- Three-state PWM input for clean power stage shutdown

-- Internal bootstrap Schottky diode saves cost

-- Low bias supply current (5 V, 30 uA)

-- Chip enable input

-- 8-lead SOIC or 8-pad QFN package options

-- Tiny 3 X 3 mm 8-pad QFN package

-- Compliant to JEDEC PUB95 MO-220 QFN product outline

-- Near chip-scale Package Footprint improves PCB space

efficiency and offers thinner profile

ISL6605 Pricing and Availability

The ISL6605 is available now. The ISL6605CB (SOIC) is priced at $0.99 each and the ISL6605CR (QFN) is priced at $1.05 each - both in ten thousand unit quantities.

About Intersil

Intersil Corporation is a global semiconductor leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog and wireless networking solutions. Intersil's product portfolios address four fast growing markets - flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable), power management and wireless networking. Intersil brings added customer value in providing complete silicon, software and reference design solutions to new products that enhance the computing experience for people wherever they live, work or travel. 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: http://www.intersil.com

Endura is a trademark of Intersil Americas Inc.

All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.