Semtech Serves Up Best-of-Breed, Tri-Mode Power Management Solution for Leading Edge Pentium III-Based Systems.

Business Editors

NEWBURY PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 27, 2000

Single Integrated Power Management Device Combined With Comprehensive Design Support Can Help System Designers Reduce Complexity and Cost of

New Designs

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq:SMTC), a leading supplier of mixed-signal semi-conductors for communications, computers, and industrial equipment, today announced a new power management device that integrates a DC/DC switching regulator controller and two linear regulators, intended to provide the three distinct voltage levels required in new Pentium(R) III-based systems, or other tri-mode power supply applications.

Semtech's SC1109 device reduces component count, board space requirements, and costs compared to existing solutions. Integration effort is also reduced, speeding up the overall design cycle. Unlike competitive solutions, it does not require external timing circuitry. The device's two linear regulator outputs track the input voltage supply independent of the "silver box" (i.e. ATX supply) startup sequence.

The new SC1109 device is designed to provide efficient power management for Pentium(R) III motherboard designs in desktops, workstations, and servers. The new device's voltage mode controller (switching section) provides a 1.2 Volt termination supply for the system ATGL bus, while the linear regulators furnish 1.8 Volt and 2.5 Volt power supplies required by the microprocessor support chipset and clock circuitry, respectively.

The SC1109's switching circuitry consists of a PWM (pulse width modulation) buck controller, featuring lossless current sensing and latched driver outputs to provide superior noise immunity. This section of the device operates at a fixed 200 KHz frequency with the output voltage internally fixed at 1.2 Volts. The linear circuitry consists of LDO (low dropout) regulators designed to track the system's 3.3 Volt power supply when it turns on and off.

"Semtech maintains its leadership position in the power management market for desktop and workstation platforms with the single-chip SC1109 device," said Don Ashley, vice president of desktop power management products at Semtech. "The company is committed and fully-capable of supplying the high-volume, high-quality volume power requirements for customers. This product is representative of Semtech's world-class power management solutions for the desktop/workstation market, and is hands-down the best-of-breed power management solution for cutting-edge Pentium(R) III motherboard designs."

The key operational characteristics of the SC1109 include:

-- LDO circuits track input voltage to within 200 mV of drop out voltage;

-- Lossless current sensing;

-- Soft start support;

-- "Power good" indication signal;

-- Latched driver outputs during over-current conditions; and

-- 95% efficiency in the switching section.

Pricing & Availability

As with all of Semtech's advanced power management products, the SC1109 includes comprehensive design assistance, including field- or factory-based support services. The devices, assembled in low-profile, compact SO-16 packages, are competitively priced at $1.29 in 1,000 piece OEM quantities. Samples and evaluation boards are available now. Production volumes will be available from distributors in December 2000.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of power management, transient protection, system management, high-performance, and advanced communications semiconductor products for portable and high-speed communications applications. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC. A comprehensive listing of Semtech's many employment opportunities may be found at www.semtech.com. For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 652 Mitchell Road, Newbury Park, CA. 91320; phone [phone]; e-mail to [e-mail].

Pentium(R) is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation.