The History of International Rectifier
An IR Time Line
August 1947
Operations begin in Los Angeles
November 1954
Germanium rectifiers introduced
August 1957
International Rectifier Corp., Japan Ltd. founded
June 1958
Solar cells and zener diodes introduced
September 1958
IR offers shares of stock for public trading
December 1958
IR, Great Britain Ltd. founded
September 1959
First silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) introduced
May 1960
IR introduces world's first solar car
December 1960
IR stock listed as "IRF" on both coasts
June 1961
Operations begin at IR, Italy
October 1965
Operations begin at IR, India
October 1966
Operations begin at IR, Canada
March 1973
Operations begin at IR, Mexico
February 1974
IR introduces bipolar and Darlington transistors
June 1979
IR introduces the HEXFET® power MOSFET
August 1983
Introduction of the ChipSwitch® power IC
September 1983
IR issues patent for broad protection of its power MOSFET and IGBT products
November 1985
IR Far East sales office opens
April 1987
Production begins at HEXFET America
September 1987
Introduction of industry's first high voltage power IC
September 1987
IR Crydom Division sold to Silicon Power Cube
July 1988
IR South East Asia sales office opens in Singapore
December 1988
600V IGBTs introduced
April 1990
Federal Court upholds IR's MOSFET patents
April 1993
IR introduces IR6000 high side power switch
May 1993
IR introduces 900V IGBTs
July 1993
IR introduces IRSF3010, its first SmartFET
August 1993
IR introduces Full-Pak TO-220 2.5kV MOSFET
IR Introduces 600V Standard Modules
November 1993
IR Introduces SOT-223 SMT package
December 1993
IR Introduces UltraFast 500V IGBTs
February 1994
IR Introduces 600V FET Driver for Ballast
IR Introduces 600V Half-Bridge MOSFET/IGBT Gate Driver
March 1994
IR Introduces Low Charge MOSFET Series
May 1994
IR Introduces IGBT/HEXFRED Die SMT Package
June 1994
IR Introduces 50V Smart FET Single-Chip Transistor
November 1994
IR Introduces PVT 412 Microelectronic Photovoltaic Relays
January 1995
IR Introduces Advanced SO-8 Benchmark MOSFETs
February 1995
IR Introduces Micro8 and Micro3 MOSFET Packages
April 1995
IR Introduces PVU414 Microelectronic Photovoltaic Relays
IR Introduces Low Cost 600V Control ICs
June 1995
IR Introduces Low Contact Resistance Microelectronic Photovoltaic Relays
IR Expands Schottky Diode SMT Offering
August 1995
IR Introduces Plastic Input 800-1600V Rectifier Diodes
October 1995
IR Introduces 60V Load Current Photovoltaic Relay
December 1995
IR Introduces Four-Mask MOSFET Manufacturing Process
January 1996
IR Introduces Gen 5 IRF7413 N-Channel MOSFETs
May 1996
IR Announces Dual-Pole, 400V Solid-State Relays
IR Launches New FETKY™ Technology
for High Density Power Converters
June 1996
Ford Motor Company Promotes IR
to Preferred Supplier Status for Power MOS Transistors
IR Introduces the New PVT312 Series Telecom Interface Relay
August 1996
IR Adopts Shareholder Rights Plan
IR Launches "IR+" Interactive Product Selection Tool to Web Site
IR Wins QS-9000 Certification for Automotive Quality
September 1996
IR Launches PowIRtrain™ -
Complete Power Subsystems for AC Motor Control
IR Launches New Generation of IGBTs
IR Announces the New PVI5013R Series Photovoltaic Isolators
November 1996
IR Develops New Generation of Thyristors in Plastic Packages
December 1996
IR Expands Line of State-of-the-Art IGBTs
January 1997
IR's New Miniature 6-pin Package Targets the Portable Electronics Market
IR's 1200V IR2233 Sets a New Standard for Motor Drive Inverters
IR Offers the New Super Magn-A-Pak (SMAP) Module
IR Launches Line of Low Charge HEXFET® Power MOSFETs
March 1997
IR Introduces the PowIRsafe™ Series of
Safety-Conscious, High-Side and Low-Side Switches
May 1997
IR Announces the PVT322 Series - A New Telecom MER
Moat Process Yields Standard Recovery Diodes
in Plastic SMT Packages for The First Time
IR and SGS-Thomson Settle Patent Infringement Litigation
June 1997
IR's Award-Winning Video, "The World in A Grain of Sand," Airs on PBS
July 1997
IR Offers Its First Collection of Data Sheets on CD-ROM, "Power Conversion Semiconductors and Plug & Play Solutions"
IR's New WARP Speed™ IGBTs Break Speed Barrier; Replace Large MOSFETs in Many Switching Power Supply Applications
IR Provides Key Power Conversion Components for Mars "Pathfinder"
August 1997
IR Announces the SOT-227 -
The Cost-Effective, Universal Solution to Power Applications
IR Introduces the Micro8 FETKY™
IR Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
September 1997
IR Achieves QS9000 Status
IR Offers Thin Surface-Mount Packages for MERs
November 1997
IR's QIRL Program Provides Standardized Rad-Hard Components for Space Applications
IR Launches SafeIR™, QuietIR™ and SmallIR™ Families of Input Rectifiers
IR's Super 247 Package
Gives SMPS, UPS, Motor Drive, and Welding System Designers
100% More Silicon in An Industry-Standard Package Outline
December 1997
IR's New 20V Schottky Is A Breakthrough
for 3.3V Power Supply Designers
The IR SMD-10 Package Offers 5 to 50kW SMPS, Motor Drive and
Welder Designers Cost-Effective Alternative to Large IGBT Modules
January 1998
IR SO-8 FETKY™ devices provide maximum system efficiency
at a minimum cost
for high-density converter designs.
February 1998
IR's PVX6012 makes positive environmental impact
by replacing reed relays that use toxic mercury.
April 1998
IR Mega-RAD™ Radiation Hardened MOSFETs set new performance
standards by offering
the industry's lowest on-resistance, gate charge and
switching times for space-based power conversion systems.
May 1998
IR's PowIRtab™ package combines low profile,
excellent die-to-footprint
ratio and sturdy connectivity
for diodes in high-current environments.
June 1998
IRF7805 ans IRF7807 Chip Set achieves new standard for efficiency
in DC/DC converters for mobile Pentium™ II processors.
July 1998
IR's 900V WARP Speed™ IGBT line is the first in its class
to allow switching frequencies up to 100kHz - triple the norm.
October 1998
IR breaks ground for its new 88,000 sq. ft. production facility
in the Penllergaer Business Park in Swansea Wales.
IRF7210 small outline power MOSFET sets industry on-resistance
benchmark with an on-resisitance of only 7 millohms.
December 1998
IR introduces its Mini Series of Intelligent Power Switches designed
with the
most extensive array of protection features in some of the smallest packages available.
January 1999
IR introduces its Maxi Series of Intelligent Power Switches designed to handle high current loads safely with low power dissipation.
April 1999
IR Develops CoolMOS™-equivalent Technology
IR Sets the Benchmark for P-Channel MOSFET Performance
July 1999
New IR "Benchmark" Series of HEXFET® power MOSFETs for Offline SMPS Has Industry's Lowest RDS(on) at 600V
August 1999
IR's New Synchronous FETKY™ with Reduced Footprint for Higher Power Density Sets Efficiency Standard for DC-DC Converters
September 1999
New SOIC HEXFET® power MOSFETs Set Industry Standard for Lowest RDS(on)
January 2000
IR Acquires Zing Technologies and its Wholly-owned Subsidiary Omnirel
January 2000
IR Optimimizes HEXFET® power MOSFETs for Isolated DC-DC Converters
March 2000
IR2159 Lighting Ballast IC Named Finalist for 1999 EDN Innovation of the Year Award
International Rectifier Puchases Zing Technologies, Inc. and its Wholly-owned Subsidiary, Omnirel
International Rectifier Introduces the Industry's First Synchronous Rectification Control IC
April 2000
International Rectifier Introduces Line of Temperature-sensing MOSFETs for Automotive System Protection
May 2000
IR Completes Second Phase of Its DC-DC for Power Semiconductor Benchmark System Efficiencies
IR Introduces the FlipFET® power MOSFET with a 100% Silicon to Die Footprint Ratio
June 2000
International Rectifier Introduces ZVS-specific, High-voltage HEXFET® Power MOSFETs for AC-DC SMPS Applications
July 2000
International Rectifier Named Second Fastest-growing Semiconductor Firm by Los Angeles Business Journal
September 2000
International Rectifier Introduces Introduces the World's First 1000-volt Radiation Hardened MOSFET
International Rectifier Advanced Planar Stripe HEXFET® power MOSFETs Maximize Automotive Performance
October 2000
International Rectifier Introduces Industry's First Plastic-packaged 200°C power MOSFET
International Rectifier Expands Proprietary Business with Acquisitions of Lambda Advanced Analog and Magnitude 3
November 2000
International Rectifier Announces Motor Drive Design Breakthrough with Introduction of its Accelerator™ Architecture
International Rectifier Introduces the Lowest On-resistance, Rad-HARD™ P-Channel MOSFETs
December 2000
International Rectifier Expands Analog Business with Acquisition of Unisem and its Full Line of DC-DC Power Management ICs
January 2001
International Rectifier First to Secure Federal Approval to Export Power Semiconductors for Satellites
International Rectifier Announces Breakthrough in Power-Saving Fluorescent Lighting Technology
February 2001
International Rectifier Introduces iPOWIR™ Power Management Technology
March 2001
International Rectifier Introduces the World's First 1000-Volt Radiation Hardened MOSFET
September 2001
International Rectifier Launches Chinese Language Web Site
January 2002
International Rectifier Italy Wins Investment and Commerce Development Award
International Rectifier and Mitsubushi Electric Engineering Company Ltd. Sign Development Agreement for Space-Level Power Systems
International Rectifier Introduces the DirectFET®, the Industry's First Dual-Side Cooling Power Package
February 2002
Valeo Establishes Alliance with International Rectifier to Further Enhance Its Electronics Capability
March 2002
International Rectifier Acquires Submicron Wafer Fab to Support Growth in Proprietary Products
International Rectifier Acquires "High Reliability" Product Line from Fairchild Semiconductor
April 2002
Philips Sells TechnoFusion (a leading maker of power generation systems for automotive electronics) to International Rectifier
International Rectifier Introduces DirectFET® Packaging - A Power Management Breakthrough for Next Generation Electronics
International Rectifier Introduces the Industry's First Q101-Qualified, SO-8 Dual MOSFETs rated at 175°C for Automotive Power Systems
May 2002
International Rectifier Introduces the iNTERO™ Family of Intelligent Power Modules for Motor Drives
July 2002
International Rectifier DirectFET® MOSFETs Set Industry Standard for Intel Itanium 2 Processor Power
September 2002
International Rectifier Introduces myPOWER Online Design Center to Save Time in Designing Advanced Power Systems
October 2002
International Rectifier Introduces Industry-Best 500V MOSFETs for Zero-Voltage Switching Power Supplies
November 2002
International Rectifier Announces Technology Breakthrough in Power Electronics Systems for Automotive Alternators
December 2002
International Rectifier Introduces 30V Power MOSFETs with Industry's Lowest On-Resistance in the Standard D-Pak Outline
January 2003
International Rectifier Named Winner of Electronic Products Magazine's 27th Annual Product of the Year Award
International Rectifier Introduces XPhase™ Scalable Multi-Phase Architecture for Interleaved Buck DC-DC Converters
February 2003
International Rectifier Announces Development System To Expedite Motor Control Design
Using IR's Accelerator™ Design Platform
March 2003
International Rectifier Named Finalist in Two Categories for EDN Magazine's 2002 Innovation of the Year Award Competition
May 2003
International Rectifier Introduces Motor Control Development System and Control Algorithm Intellectual Property Library to Slash High Performance Motor Control System Design Time
June 2003
International Rectifier Launches Die Sales Business Giving Customers a Competitive Edge
July 2003
International Rectifier and SANYO Form Joint Venture
August 2003
International Rectifier Introduces Industry-First, One Amp Ultra Compact Low Dropout Regulator for Noise-Sensitive Circuitry
International Rectifier Introduces the Industry's Smallest 1A, 40V Surface-Mount Schottky Diode on the Market
September 2003
International Rectifier DirectFET® MOSFETs Win Prestigious 'R&D 100 Award'
International Rectifier DirectFET® Power MOSFET Wins Prestigious Award in China
International Rectifier Breaks Ground On New Site in Xi'an China
October 2003
International Rectifier Breaks Ground On New Site in Xi'an China
November 2003
International Rectifier Introduces Two Revolutionary Digital Motor Control ICs
That Eliminate Programming Tasks
International Rectifier Rings Closing Bell at NYSE
International Rectifier Takes Next Steps In Conversion to Lead-Free Packages
January 2004
International Rectifier Announces Settlement with Hitachi/Renesas and Patent
Cross-License Agreement
February 2004
International Rectifier Introduces Industry's First Dual Output, Two-Phase DC-DC
Power Blocks
International Rectifier Opens HiRel Power Management Research and Design Center
In Denmark
March 2004
International Rectifier Opens IC Design Center in North Carolina
International Rectifier's XPhase™ Chip Set Wins EDN Innovation of the Year Award
April 2004
International Rectifier's Two Wales Facilities Achieve ISO 14001 Certification
May 2004
International Rectifier Introduces the DirectFETKY™ Integrated MOSFET/Schottky
Diode and DirectFET® MOSFET Chip Set
International Rectifier Expands Workforce and Investment at Facility in Wales
June 2004
International Rectifier's Massachusetts Facility Earns ISO 14001 Certification
International Rectifier Wins Best Design Award from Prestigious Electronics
Publication in China
International Rectifier to Acquire ATMI’s Epitaxial Services Operation
August 2004
International Rectifier Named One of The Fastest Growing Technology
Companies in Deloitte's Los Angeles Technology Fast 50 Program
September 2004
International Rectifier's Alex Lidow and Tom Herman Inducted Into Engineering
Hall of Fame
International Rectifier's Chairman Eric Lidow Honored for Lifetime Contribution to Industry
International Rectifier iPOWIR™ Integrated Power Building Block Wins Prestigious
Award in China
October 2004
International Rectifier Lighting Control ICs Ranked Among Top 10 Ultimate
Products by CMP Media's EE Times and eeProductCenter
International Rectifier's Newport Wales Facility Receives National Award for
Energy Efficiency
International Rectifier Achieves ISO 14001 Certification at Its Mumbai and
Borgaro Facilities
November 2004
International Rectifier's Newport Wales Facility Earns Energy Efficiency Award
International Rectifier is Finalist in Global Energy Awards
January 2005
International Rectifier Ranked Among Forbes' Best Managed Companies
International Rectifier IR2161 Lighting Control IC Wins Electronic Products Magazine's Product of the Year Award
International Rectifier Compact Fluorescent Lamp Control Chip Listed Among EDN Magazine's "Hot
100" Products of 2004
February 2005
International Rectifier Introduces New XPhase™ Control IC for AMD Opteron™ and
Athlon 64™ Applications
March 2005
International Rectifier Introduces µPFC™ IC that Simplifies High Density Designs
from 75W to 4kW
International Rectifier Introduces Sub-Ohm On-Resistance Microelectronic Relay
to Enhance Automated Test System Reliability and Performance
April 2005
International Rectifier Introduces Radiation-Hardened Solid State Relays that
Replace Electro-Mechanical Relays in High Reliability Systems
International Rectifier Introduces Universal Active ORing Controller IC for
Efficient Zero-Failure Power Systems
May 2005
International Rectifier Introduces Simulation Software for iMOTION™ Integrated
Power Modules
International Rectifier Opens Customer Service Center in Shenzhen, China
International Rectifier's iMOTION Energy-Saving Power Modules Win Award from Electronics Design and Application World Magazine in China
July 2005
International Rectifier Introduces Universal Design Kit and Online PFC Design
Tool for Faster PFC Designs with the IR1150 µPFC Control IC
October 2005
International Rectifier Wins Elektra 05 European Electronics Industry Environmental Award
International Rectifier Opens New Manufacturing Facility in Xi'an, China
International Rectifier XPhase Scalable Multiphase Control IC for High
Performance Processors Wins Prestigious Award from Electronic Products Magazine, China
November 2005
International Rectifier Introduces Proprietary Plastic Packaged Motor Inverter
Modules that Deliver High Reliability in Airborne Motor Control Systems
December 2005
International Rectifier Wins California’s Flex Your Power Energy Efficiency
Award
January 2006
International Rectifier’s Mexico Facility Earns MIL-PRF-19500 JANTX/TXV Assembly
Certification
February 2006
IR’s New XPhase Control IC Increases Multi-Phase Converter Efficiency by Three
Percent in a Smaller Footprint
March 2006
IR’s New SmartRectifier™ IC Slashes Parts Count by 75 Percent, Reduces MOSFET
Temperature by 10 Degrees with 1% Increase in System Efficiency
IR’s High Performance iMOTION™ Platform Enables 95 Percent Efficiency in Air
Conditioning Applications
April 2006
IR Trench IGBTs Reduce Power Dissipation Up to 60% in Motor Control
Applications
International Rectifier Exploring Potential Sale of All Non-Focus Products
Business
May 2006
IR’s Integrated Design Platform Delivers Sensorless Control For Energy-Saving
Motors Used in Washers
June 2006
IR Expands myPOWER Online Design with POWIR+ Chipset Reference Designs and Web
Tools
July 2006
IR Introduces 30V-DirectFET MOSFET Chipset for DC-DC Buck Converters Reducing
Footprint up to 50%
August 2006
International Rectifier’s Compact, Robust High-Voltage ICs Simplify HID Ballast
Circuits and Extend Lamp Life
Septmeber 2006
International Rectifier Point-of-Load Chipset Earns Industry Award in China
International Rectifier Introduces 20V Microelectronic Power IC Photovoltaic
Relays with 50 Percent Lower On-State Resistance
October 2006
International Rectifier Introduces High-Voltage Buck Control ICs for Constant
LED Current Regulation
IR’s New HiRel iMOTION™ Motor Drive Module Eliminates Software Development in
High Performance Motors
IR’s New Mid-Power SmartRectifier™ IC Boosts Overall System Efficiency One
Percent Using 75 Percent Fewer Components
November 2006
International Rectifier and Vishay Announce Agreement for the Sale of IR's Power
Control Systems Business
IR’s New Protected 600V Lighting IC with PFC Extends Flexibility and
Programmability of Advanced Ballast Designs
IR’s Sensorless Motor Control Platform For Variable-Speed Pumps Enables 50
Percent Reduction in Energy Consumption
International Rectifier's Founder Eric Lidow Receives Lifetime Achievement Award
December 2006
International Rectifier’s New Class D Audio Chipset Cuts Part Count and Board
Size By 50%
January 2007
International Rectifier and Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. Announce HSR Clearance
for Sale of IR's Power Control Systems Business to Vishay
Two International Rectifier iMOTION Innovations Win analogZONE Product of the
Year Awards
February 2007
International Rectifier Named as Finalist in Three EDN Innovation Award
Categories
IR’s New Versatile PWM Control IC Addresses Synchronous Buck Applications with
Wide Input Voltage Range from 12V to 75V and Boosts Efficiency
March 2007
International Rectifier’s SmartRectifier IC Wins 2006 Editor’s Choice Award in
China
April 2007
International Rectifier Completes Sale of Power Control Systems Business to
Vishay
International Rectifier's SmartRectifier IC Wins EDN Innovation of the Year
Award
ACE Awards Honor International Rectifier's Chairman for Lifetime Achievement
International Rectifier Announces Internal Investigation of Accounting
Irregularities at Foreign Subsidiary and Cautions on Reliance on Prior Financial
Statements
May 2007
International Rectifier's Lighting HVIC Wins Best Power Control Product Award
from Leading Publication in China
IR’s Latest XPhase® Chipset Reduces External Part Count by 25 Percent and
Shrinks Powertrain Footprint by 45 Percent
June 2007
International Rectifier Introduces New High Performance Two-Channel 120W Class D
Audio Amp Reference Design
July 2007
International Rectifier Announces Management Changes
and more to come...
