MILPITAS, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Sep 29, 2008 -- Intersil Corporation (ISIL - News), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog semiconductors, today announced a new DC/DC converter for RF power amplifiers that provides the industry's fastest start up from standby mode with very low current and excellent transient load response.

The new ISL9109 is a 1.6MHz synchronous step-down regulator designed to resolve the inefficiencies often seen with mobile RF power amps, particularly at low output levels. The device incorporates power switches that deliver 1.5A output and features a standby mode that enables rapid startup.

This rapid startup is achieved even though the part draws only 22 microamps standby current (typical) and provides the highest possible light load efficiency while reducing power draw and maximizing battery. When powered from a Li-ion battery, the ISL9109 operates at 90-95% efficiency in powering an RF PA.

The ISL9109's supply voltage ranges from 2.7V to 5.5V enable designers to use a single Li+ cell, three NiMH cells or a regulated 5V input. The ISL9109's 1.6MHz pulse-width modulation (PWM) switching frequency also allows the use of small external components. When in standby, the IC's band-gap reference is powered up, which assists in a rapid power-up when the EN (enable) pin is reasserted high.

Other features of the ISL9109 include soft-start, overcurrent protection and thermal shutdown. In addition, its small 2mm x 3mm DFN form factor saves space in any cell phone or modem card design. The complete converter occupies less than one centimeter squared.

Pricing and Availability

The ISL9109 is available now in 8-Ld DFN packages and are priced at $1.93 each in 1,000-piece quantities.

For more ISL9109 information, go to http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL9109.html

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of the ISL9109, visit Intersil's photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp.

About Intersil's Power Management Portfolio

Intersil is a recognized global leader in power management solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products that simplify a variety of power designs. Intersil's family of power management ICs ranges from building blocks such as charge pumps, to highly-integrated, multiple-output and multiphase PWMs, to quad-voltage hot-swap controllers. As a leading supplier of PWM controller ICs with over two billion units shipped, Intersil addresses a broad range of power management needs for applications that include computing, communications, peripherals, display, networking, telecommunications, industrial, instrumentation and battery-powered products. To learn more, visit Intersil's Power Management Web site at http://www.intersil.com/power.

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.

     Media Contact
     Rob Purdie
     Senior Marketing Representative
     Intersil Corporation
     (321) 724-7688
     rpurdie@intersil.com