EL SEGUNDO, Calif. January 2003 - International Rectifier, IR® (NYSE: IRF), announces today that the editors of Electronic Products magazine have selected International Rectifier HEXFET® MOSFETs in the DirectFET® power package as a winner of their 27th Annual Product of the Year Award. Products are selected based on significant advances in technology or its application, innovation in design or a substantial gain in price and performance.

International Rectifier MOSFETs in the DirectFET package are the first surface-mount devices in an SO-8 footprint designed for efficient top side cooling and address the increasing challenge of removing heat from power systems. DirectFET MOSFETs are designed for high performance power management systems in advanced Intel® and AMD microprocessors for notebook computers, high-end desktop PCs and system servers.

DirectFET MOSFETs reduce part count by up to 60% and shrink circuit size by as much as 50% compared to an SO-8 type solution, effectively doubling current density at a lower system cost.

"The DirectFET package introduces a 'paradigm shift' to the power management industry. Due to its unique double-sided cooling, DirectFET MOSFETs deliver distinct thermal advantages over traditional power MOSFETs in standard packaging," said Carl Blake, Technical Marketing Manager for the Computing Market at International Rectifier.

For more information on International Rectifier DirectFET MOSFETs, including application notes and data sheets, go to the DirectFET Home Page.

The winners of the 27th Annual Product of the Year Award are posted on the Electronic Products Web site.

Hearst Business Communications, Inc., Garden City, New York, publishes Electronic Products, The Engineer's Magazine of Product Technology.

High Resolution JPEGs are available in the Press Room.