Microsemi Launches New Product Series for Mobile Phoneand Handheld Information Appliances.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2000

Microsemi (Nasdaq:MSCC):

-- Single and Dual Schottky Barrier Diodes Support High-Speed Switching and
Signal Terminations

-- Expands Lineup of Industry-Leading Low-Capacitance




				

				
				 
				


 Devices for High-Speed
Connectivity

Microsemi Corp. (Nasdaq:MSCC) today announced that it has introduced two new series of Schottky barrier diodes with capacitance and space-saving packaging that targets high-speed switching and signal termination in mobile phones and handheld information appliance applications.

Designated the BAS40 and BAS70 Series, the new low-capacitance devices offer a choice of single- or dual-barrier diodes in the compact industry-standard SOT-23 package. With their capacitance rated at less than 5 pF, the new diodes are designed for general high-speed switching, high-level mixers and detector applications in battery-powered products like mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

"Our two new barrier diode series are important additions to Microsemi's rapidly expanding offering in this small SOT-23 package," said Mick McKeighan, vice president and general manager of the Scottsdale division.

"They join our LSS101, LSS301 and BAT54 series, as well as other Microsemi devices designed for high frequency and broadband applications that require low parasitic capacitance. We find these characteristics of particular value to designers of high-volume telecommunication products, including new wireless technologies," he said.

The BAS40 Series has a peak reverse voltage rating of 40 Volts, and the BAS70 Series, 70 Volts. Each series offers dual-configuration options with doubler, common-cathode and common-anode designs available.

The new Microsemi devices also target applications involving high frequencies where transmission-line signal reflections can create board-level transients. Here, the Schottky diodes provide low-threshold voltage clamping to control voltage overshoot/undershoot.

This design approach also reduces power consumption compared with conventional resistor-based terminations. Since they do not depend on matching a transmission line's impedance, the new Microsemi Schottkys are particularly useful where line impedance is either unknown or variable.

Manuel Lynch, Worldwide Marketing Director, said: "Microsemi continues to add high-frequency, battery-efficient and high-density devices for mobile connectivity applications. In the last 12 months, we have added over 10 new product groups that position us as major supplier to next-generation handheld information appliances."

Lynch added, "With mobile phone and PDA growth rates projected at greater than 35% per year, we feel that our expanded product development program provides tools to offer a complete set of solutions for these applications."

The new Microsemi devices are in production, with samples available from stock. Pricing for 10,000 pieces of the BAS40 or BAS70 is $0.12. The price of other standard dual configurations at this volume is $0.14. These versions carry a part number suffix: -04 for doubler, -05 for common cathode and -06 for the common anode designs.

About Microsemi

Microsemi is a global supplier of power management, RF/Microwave, transient suppression and power conditioning semiconductor devices. It serves the mobile telecommunications, computer and peripherals, satellite, medical, industrial/commercial and military/aerospace markets with high reliability and commercial analog integrated circuits, and power and signal discrete semiconductors.

More information may be obtained by contacting the company directly or by visiting its Web site at http://www.microsemi.com.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in the news release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as: the difficulties regarding the making of estimates and projections; the hiring of qualified technical personnel in a competitive labor market; rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence; the ability to realize cost savings or productivity gains; potential cost increases; the strength and competitive pricing environment of the marketplace; demand for and acceptance of the company's products; the success of planned development, marketing and promotional campaigns; changes in demand for products; difficulties of foreseeing future demand; potential non-realization of backlog; and business and economic conditions such as the current industry conditions, customer order preferences, company strategies, environmental matters, litigation and inventory obsolescence. In addition to these and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, readers should refer as well to the factors identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Forms 10-Q filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.