Fairchild Semiconductor's USB 2.0 Switch with Industry's Highest 8kV ESD Protection Is Ideal for Port Isolation in Ultra-Portables; FSUSB31 Optimizes Function, Performance and Packaging in Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Designs

Business Wire, April 5, 2006

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me. -- Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE:FCS), the premier supplier of low-power USB switches for ultra-portable products, introduces a new Hi-Speed (480Mbps) USB 2.0 switch with the industry's highest ESD protection (up to 8kV). The FSUSB31 offers the best combination of function, performance and packaging available for applications such as media players and cell phones. The FSUSB31 is ideal for port isolation based on its ability to protect against ESD (electrostatic discharge), excessive capacitance, noise and other factors that can negatively affect performance in ultra-portable products.

The key features and benefits of the FSUSB31 include:

--Industry's highest 8kV ESD protection compared to similar products at 2kV (typ);

--Low On-capacitance (CON) of 6.5pF (typ) helps maintain compliance to the mandatory USB 2.0 Hi-Speed "eye" test;

--Low Off-capacitance (COFF) of 2.5pF (typ) optimizes signal bandwidth; and

--Wide bandwidth (720MHz) facilitates excellent signal integrity.

The FSUSB31 also saves battery power by drawing less than 1 microamp of current, and its tiny (1.6 x 1.6mm) package fulfills the small-footprint requirement of ultra-portable designs.

"Function, performance and packaging are the critical switch characteristics designers must consider when meeting the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 requirement in ultra-portables," said Patty Miske, switch marketing manager for Fairchild's Analog Products Group. "The FSUSB31 combines optimum device characteristics into a very compact package. The result is a high-bandwidth USB switch that offers transparent switching for maintaining excellent signal integrity in multi-function designs."

The next generation of the ultra-portable market is expected to be driven by a demand for new applications with more and more product features. Personal media players (PMP) and cell phones, for example, are being designed to share USB and other types of connectors. Ultra-portable designers need switches with multi-function capabilities, such as USB and audio, combined into one device. With the industry's broadest portfolio of switches, Fairchild is at the forefront of this market trend to pack additional functionality into increasingly more compact, high-performance USB-enabled switches.

The FSUSB31 is available in a lead (Pb)-free MicroPak(TM) package that meets or exceeds the requirements of the joint IPC/JEDEC standard J-STD-020C and is compliant with the European Union now in effect.

Price:                                      US $0.90 (each, 1000 pcs)
Availability:                               Now
Delivery:                                   4 weeks ARO

For more information about the FSUSB31, please go to http://www.fairchildsemi.com/pf/FS/FSUSB31.html. For more information about Fairchild products, design tools and sales contacts, please visit http://www.fairchildsemi.com.

Editor's Note: A datasheet in PDF format can be found at http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/FS/FSUSB31.pdf.> About Fairchild Semiconductor:

Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE:FCS) is the leading global supplier of high-performance power products critical to today's leading electronic applications in the computing, communications, consumer, industrial and automotive segments. As The Power Franchise(R), Fairchild offers the industry's broadest portfolio of components that optimize system power. Fairchild's 9,000 employees design, manufacture and market power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic, and optoelectronics products. Please contact us on the web at www.fairchildsemi.com.