EL SEGUNDO, CA. May 2001 - International Rectifier (NYSE: IRF) today announced the addition of economical MBR-Series Schottky rectifiers in industry-standard surface-mount (SMA, SMB and SMC) and axial-lead (DO-201 and DO-204) packages to its extensive line of power management devices. Power system designers now have a wider range of IR Schottky rectifiers from which to choose when searching for a complete power system solution including other International Rectifier power semiconductor products such as HEXFET^® power MOSFETs, gate driver integrated circuits (ICs) and P-N junction diodes.

High-volume manufacturing companies are under continuous pressure to reduce cost and inventory. One solution is a rationalized supply-chain management strategy where they form closer relationships with fewer carefully selected suppliers and expect these suppliers to offer a broad product line to meet all of their needs in selected areas of expertise. This has created an opportunity for International Rectifier to leverage its competency in high quality and high volume power semiconductor manufacturing to provide a more complete offering of products in line with the market demands.

Schottky diodes are used in the output rectification stage, up to 12V_OUT, in switch-mode power supply (SMPS) and other power systems, as well as reverse battery protection, free-wheeling, and high frequency or overshoot/undershoot clamping circuits. Schottky diodes are widely used in telecommunications, computers and computer peripherals, network servers and business telephone systems (PBX), uninterruptible power supplies, consumer electronics, portable equipment and many other industrial and commercial applications.

IR's MBR-Series Schottky rectifiers match industry-standard specifications and performance so that power system designers can easily substitute qualified devices in existing designs. The industry-compliant part numbering simplifies component selection for existing as well as new designs. The MBR-Series Schottky device specifications range from 30V to 100V with 1A and 3A current ratings. The small package style of these new devices makes them compatible with compact designs.

The unique characteristics of Schottky diodes set them apart from conventional P-N junction rectifiers in three important ways. First, lower forward voltage drop (V_F) leads to better system efficiency due to low rectification loss and results in smaller heat sinking requirements. Second, the virtual absence of reverse recovery charge, or negligible reverse recovery time, results in near-zero switching losses within the Schottky itself. Finally, the ability to minimize voltage transients and oscillations in fast switching mode, reduces snubber component sizes and power dissipation.

Shawn O'Grady, Marketing Manager, Portables, DC-DC Sector, said, "The complete family of MBR-series Schottky diodes covers a wide spectrum of parameters, and economically execute the output rectification function in high-volume power system designs. IR's MBR-Series devices represent an excellent value for all applications in fast-moving markets. The introduction of these new rectifiers, plus IR's selection of HEXFET MOSFETs and control ICs, reinforces International Rectifier’s position as the preferred source for power semiconductors."

Pricing and Availability
Pricing in 100,000-lot quantities begins as low as US $0.05 each for the MBRS140TR in the SMB package. Samples and production quantities are available immediately.

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