Intersil Launches Advanced Dual-Input Li-ion Charger IC For Smart Handheld Devices Using Single-Cell Batteries.

MILPITAS, Calif. -- Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ:ISIL):

--ISL6299 is a fully integrated dual- input (USB or Cradle) charger for single-cell Li-ion/polymer batteries with the highest input voltage rating (28V) in the industry and features End-of-Charge (EOC) programmability and EOC latch.

Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ:ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog solutions, today announced the release of the ISL6299 advanced high voltage dual-input battery charger IC for single-cell Li-ion/polymer applications. The charger accepts power inputs from the USB port or desktop cradle/AC adapter, supporting applications in cell phones, smart phones, PDAs, MP3 devices, portable multi-media players, digital still cameras, and other portable industrial and test equipment. It is an ideal charger for smart handheld devices that need to communicate with a personal computer via the USB port. Its features allow portable units to be charged from two alternative sources (USB or desktop cradle/AC adapter) while protecting portable devices from high input voltages and minimizing temperature rise during charging.

The ISL6299 is a complete battery charger, yielding a low component count solution and features that include programmable cradle charge current, charge indication, adapter present indication, programmable end-of-charge (EOC) current with latch. All these advanced features along with Intersil's Thermaguard (TM) technology for an added measure of thermal protection are delivered in the ISL6299 chip which is packaged in a tiny 3x3 mm DFN package.

"The ISL6299 is the fourth battery charger device Intersil has introduced in as many months and is evidence of our rapidly expanding product line. Its high input voltage offers a much more robust solution while alleviating the need for expensive over-voltage protection circuitry," said Andrew Baker, product marketing manager of Intersil's handheld power management group. "Also the EOC programming provides more flexibility to customize the charge function for the termination function for a particular application and the EOC latch prevents false end-of-charge indications. With the increased popularity of using USB for both data synchronization and a source for charging, the ISL6299 offers OEMs the ultimate flexibility of providing end users both USB or cradle charging with simultaneous connection."

The ISL6299 features maximum input voltages of 28V (cradle) and 7V (USB). With the 28V cradle rating, low-cost (large output-tolerance) adapters can safely be used. When both inputs are powered, the cradle input is used to charge the battery. The charge current is programmable for the cradle input with a small resistor. The end-of-charge current for the cradle input is also programmable by another external resistor. The device incorporates Thermaguard (TM) technology, which protects the IC against over temperature during charging. If the die temperature rises above a typical value of 100 degree Centigrade, a thermal foldback function reduces the charge current automatically to prevent further temperature rise.

The device pre-conditions the battery with low current when the battery voltage is below 2.6V. The ISL6299 also has two indication pins. The power present (PPR) pin outputs an open-drain logic LOW when either the cradle or the USB input power is attached. The charge (CHG) pin is also an open-drain output that indicates a logic LOW when the charge current is above a minimum current level; when the charge current is below the minimum current, the CHG pin indicates a logic HIGH signal and the status is latched. The latch resets when the device is disabled and re-enabled; when the selected input source has been removed and re-applied; when the USBON turns LOW; or the BAT pin voltage falls below the re-charge threshold.

ISL6299 Technical Summary

--Complete charger for single-cell Li-ion and Li-polymer batteries

--Dual input of power sources (cradle and USB)

--Low component count

-- Integrated pass element

--Fixed 380mA USB charge current

--Programmable cradle charge current (max 1A)

--Thermaguard (TM) charge current thermal protection

--Charge indication

--Adaptor present indication

--Less than 0.5uA leakage current off battery (when no input power attached)

--Programmable end-of-charge current with latch for cradle input

--Ambient temperature range: -40 degree C to +85 degree C

Pricing and Availability

The ISL6299 is available now in Pb-free 10-lead 3x3mm DFN packages, in tube or tape and reel. The suggested resale price in 1,000 unit quantities for the ISL6299IRZ-T is $1.30. An evaluation board is also available for this product (ISL6299EVAL1).

Learn more about Intersil's complete family of power management solutions that satisfy a broad range of applications, including computing, communications, peripherals, display, networking, telecom, industrial, instrumentation and battery-powered products from Intersil's Power web site at: http://www.intersil.com/power/

About Intersil

Intersil Corporation, a NASDAQ 100 Index company, 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. Intersil products include power management devices 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 rad-hard 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 http://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.

Thermaguard is a trademark of Intersil Corporation. Any other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.