Intersil's Ultra-Flexible Dual Protocol Transceivers Deliver High ESD Protection in Tiny Form Factor

ISL333X Family Combines Flexibility, 15kV Human-Body Model (HBM) ESD Protection and Fast Data Rates Up to 20 Mbps in a Space-Saving 40-Pin QFN Package

Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, today introduced the ISL333X family of dual protocol transceivers. The functional flexibility of this family is designed to reduce component count and eliminate multiplexing networks, reducing as many as five different component functions into one single transceiver.

These devices can operate as one or two-channel transceivers, as well as switch between RS-232 and RS-485/RS-422 protocols. This adaptability enables the ISL333X family to potentially replace two RS-232s, two RS-485/RS-422s and a multiplexing network.

For the first time ever in tiny 6mm x 6mm QFN size, this best-in-class flexibility comes with the added benefit of 15kV (HBM) ESD protection. This high level of ESD protection is available across the full ISL333XE product family, including the two dual port ICs, the ISL3332 and ISL3333, and the ISL3330 and ISL3331 single port ICs.

The ISL3331 and ISL3333 are available in ultra-small 40-pin QFN packages and all four versions operate on 3.3V supplies, provide data rates of 20Mbps and feature flow-through pinouts to simplify board layouts.

The ISL3331 and ISL3333 provide additional functionality, including lower speed and edge rate options for EMI (electromagnetic interference) sensitive designs, or to allow longer bus lengths. These devices also feature a logic supply voltage pin (VL) that sets the VOH level of logic outputs and the switching points of logic inputs, to be compatible with another supply voltage in mixed voltage systems.

When any port on each of the devices is in RS-232 mode, an on-board charge pump generates compliant +/-5V output levels. Each transceiver is RS-232 compliant with the Rx outputs handling up to +/-25V and the Tx output handling +/-8V. In RS-485 mode, each transceiver supports RS-485 and RS-422 differential communication standards. The RS-485 receiver features full failsafe operation so output remains high even if inputs are open or shorted. The RS-485 transmitter supports as many as three data rates; two are slew-rate limited. Charge pumps are disabled when both ports on the dual port ICs are in RS-485 mode, to save power, minimize noise and eliminate pump capacitors.

Applications include single board computers, factory automation systems, security networks, industrial and process control networks, point-of-sale equipment, gaming, and level transistors.

Pricing and Availability

The ISL3331 and ISL3333 are available in small 40-pin QFN packages. The ISL3330 is available in a 20-lead SSOP and the ISL3332 is available in a 28-lead SSOP package.

Prices for the single port ISL3330 and ISL3331 start at $3.30 each in 1,000-unit quantities. Pricing for the dual port ISL3332 and ISL3333 are priced at $3.90 each in 1,000-unit quantities.

ore information on the ISL3330 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3330,0.html.

ore information on the ISL3331 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3331,0.html.

ore information on the ISL3332 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3332,0.html.

ore information on the ISL3333 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL3333,0.html.

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of ISL3333, visit Intersil's photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp.

About Intersil's Interface Portfolio

Intersil offers a wide range of RS-232, RS-485/RS-422, and ulti-Protocol transceivers. The RS-232 family of devices operates off of 3.3V or 5V supplies, has many combinations of transmitter and receiver configurations and is protected to IEC61000 ESD specification. The RS-485 family of devices comes in 3.3V or 5V supply operation, support full/half duplex modes with many speed grades to chose from and the devices are protected to 15kV HBM ESD. To learn more, visit Intersil's Interface Website at http://www.intersil.com/interface/.

About Intersil

Intersil Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors. The Company's products address some of the industry's fastest growing markets, such as, flat panel displays, cell phones, other handheld systems, and notebooks. Intersil's product families address power management functions and analog signal processing functions. Intersil products include ICs for battery management, hot-swap and hot-plug controllers, linear regulators, power sequencers, supervisory ICs, bridge drivers, PWM controllers, 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 radiation-hardened 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 www.intersil.com.