AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2007--Silicon
Laboratories Inc. (Nasdaq:SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today announced the world's
smallest low-loss high-accuracy ac current sensors for a wide range of
power applications. The Si8500 family measures up to 20 amps of
current for control and protection in power systems and is ideal for a
broad range of applications including ac-dc switching power supplies,
isolated dc-dc supplies, motor control and electronic ballasts for
lighting.
The patent-pending Si8500 integrates the functional equivalent of
a current transformer circuit into a tiny 4 x 4 x 1 mm QFN package,
including the current transformer, blocking diode, burden resistor and
output RC filter, decreasing board space by up to 75 percent and
reducing enclosure volume requirements by up to 80 percent. The Si8500
family also integrates temperature and offset compensation circuitry
to achieve industry-leading measurement accuracy of +/- 5% with a 2
Vpp full-scale output signal swing. To further save cost and board
space, the Si8510 family offers a "ping-pong" output that enables one
Si8510 to replace two current transformer circuits in full-bridge
applications.
The Si8500 family boosts efficiency and performance in both custom
and off-the-shelf ac-dc power supplies. By integrating the current
sensor into silicon, the Si8500 architecture provides greater than
five times lower series resistance and over two times lower series
inductance than traditional discrete implementations. These
performance gains translate directly into lower power dissipation,
higher efficiency, lower noise and reduced power supply complexity.
The Si8500 family integrates auto-calibration circuitry that
improves manufacturability and reliability by eliminating measurement
offset and temperature sensitivities found in discrete current sensor
implementations. Discrete designs typically use current transformers
that suffer from mechanical variations. These variations can cause
manufacturability problems related to component placement issues, as
well as excessive mechanical tolerances, leading to further
manufacturing steps for calibration and proper operation. The Si8500
is also rated to operate from -40 to +125 degrees C in a standard
surface mount package, simplifying power supply designs.
"Silicon Labs' current sensors eliminate the need for large
current transformers and associated discrete components," said David
Bresemann, vice president of Silicon Laboratories. "We are continuing
to expand our family of power products with unique architectures that
use cutting-edge mixed-signal design techniques. Customers recognize
that our vast improvements in performance, footprint and efficiency
will translate to greater functionality and better performance in a
smaller space."
Pricing and Availability
The Si8500 family is sampling now and pricing starts at $1.49 for
1K pieces.
Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a
world-class engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in
mixed-signal design, Silicon Labs' diverse portfolio of highly
integrated, easy-to-use products offers customers significant
advantages in performance, size and power consumption. These patented
solutions serve a broad set of markets and applications including
consumer, communications, computing, industrial and automotive.
Headquartered in Austin, TX, Silicon Labs is a global enterprise
with operations, sales and design activities worldwide. The company is
committed to contributing to our customers' success by recruiting the
highest quality talent to create industry-changing innovations. For
more information about Silicon Labs, please visit www.silabs.com.
Cautionary Language
This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
Silicon Laboratories' current expectations. These forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important
factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of factors that could
impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results and cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements, please refer to Silicon Laboratories' filings with the
SEC. Silicon Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S"
symbol, the Silicon Laboratories logo, and the Silicon Labs logo are
trademarks of Silicon Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted
herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.
CONTACT: Silicon Laboratories Inc., Austin
Shannon Pleasant, 512-464-9254
shannon.pleasant@silabs.com
SOURCE: Silicon Laboratories Inc.