Intersil Adds ISL4238E to LINEARLINK RS-232 Line

Intersil Corp. (Milpitas, CA) announced a new addition to their expanding LINEARLINK™ high-performance RS-232 interface line, the ISL4238E serial interface IC, which offers high performance in an ultra-small, 5mm x 5mm x 0.9mm, quad flat no-lead (QFN) package. Targeted applications include all portable and hand-held, battery-powered equipment. At 10nA (0.00000001A), the powered-down chip current is 100 times lower than that of competing products, according to the company.

The LINEARLINK ISL4238E is the complement to the already released ISL4243E transceiver. The new ISL4238 has five transmitters (drivers) and three receivers. The QFN near-chip-size package requires 60 percent less board space, yet offers improved thermal performance over the TSSOP package it replaces. A central land on the underside provides efficient heat transfer to the circuit board along with small lands on the underside perimeter, which also provide circuit connection. There are no leads to become bent during handling or assembly and special manufacturing equipment is not needed.

The ISL4238E is available now. Pricing for the ISL4238EIR (industrial temperature rating in a QFN package) is $2.76 each in 100-unit to 999-unit quantities.