Reduction of Drain-Source On-Resistance Boosts Current Carrying Capability of Infineon's High-Side, High-Current PROFET Intelligent Power Switches.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 1999--

Latest Smart Switches, with On-Resistance as Low as 2.5 Milliohms,

Offer Significant Cost and Performance Advantages Over

Conventional High-Side Power Solutions

Infineon Technologies Corporation, formerly Siemens Microelectronics, Inc., today announced the first in a new generation of high-side, High-Current PROFET(R) intelligent power switches.

With high thermal ratings and an Rdson of only 2.5mOhms -- by far the lowest in the industry -- these new devices are capable of handling continuous amp load currents of 100A or more (450A inrush). The highly integrated High-Current PROFET (for fully PROtected FETS) switch design incorporates a broad range of intelligent functions that allow the device to safely switch high-current loads in automotive and industrial applications.

"In the past, the application of smart switches has been restricted to low-to-medium current range because of inherent high drain-source resistance," noted Shawn Fogarty, Infineon's product marketing manager for intelligent power products.

"The new smart switch family has entered a region previously closed to power semiconductors with on-resistances that are nearly as low as electromechanical relays. High-Current PROFET intelligent power switches can now be used to replace electromechanical switches, or to greatly reduce the number of parallel devices in very high-current applications," he added.

Infineon's High-Current PROFET intelligent power switches contain a MOSFET power transistor plus all the circuit elements for built-in protection. The new series is fully protected against overloads, short circuits, excess temperature, and ESD for any pin combination for either polarity.

High-Current PROFET smart switches also include protection from dynamic overvoltages such as load dump, and inductive load turn-off without the need for additional components. The new High-Current PROFET family has a breakdown voltage range of 42V to 60V and an Rds(on) range of 2.5 to 16 milliohms.

This new High-Current PROFET family has a proportional current sense output with programmable current limit. This feature can be used for protection against overcurrent, which in turn can eliminate the need for a fuse.

As a result of Infineon's unique chip-on-chip technology, High-Current PROFET intelligent power switches are largely immune to electrostatic discharge and other electromagnetic interference. A voltage slew rate limiting circuit (dv/dt limiting) virtually eliminates EMI noise by keeping the switching speed within a desirable range.

Infineon's High-Current PROFET switches are ideal for high-current automotive applications such as lighting, motor drives and heating. Industrial applications include relay and fuse replacement, lamps, DC motors, power control in appliances and portable tools, various automated designs in robotics, and industrial control.

In quantities of 10K, prices for the new high-current PROFET intelligent power devices start at $2.88 for the BTS443P (16mOhm) in D-pak. BTS650P (6mOhm) and the BTS660 (9mOhm), both in 7-pin SOT 220 packages, are $4.33 and $4.77 respectively. The BTS550P (4mOhm) and BTS555 (2.5mOhm) are $6.01 and $7.53 in a 5-pin TO218 packages. The products are currently being sampled and volume production is available.

For additional information on high-current PROFET switches and other power-smart switches and bridges, visit Infineon's web site at: http://www.infineon.com/products/36htm.

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies, Munich, Germany, formerly Siemens' Semiconductor Group, is the 10th largest semiconductor manufacturer worldwide according to Dataquest. Infineon provides semiconductor solutions for the telecommunications, automotive, data networking, consumer electronics, and industrial automation markets.

The company's comprehensive product portfolio includes integrated system ICs, memory and high frequency components, smart card ICs, discrete semiconductors and power ICs, sensors and fiber optic components. In fiscal 1997/98, the company achieved sales of $3.8 billion (DM 6.7 billion) and employed 25,000 people worldwide.

Infineon Technologies Corporation is the company's North American subsidiary, with headquarters at 1730 North First St., San Jose, CA 95112. For more information, contact 800/777-4363; 408/501-6000; or see http://www.infineon.com.

Any statements in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties; actual results may differ from the forward-looking statements. Infineon Technologies AG undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Note to Editors: Photos available upon request.

Infineon is a trademark of Infineon Technologies AG. Other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.