SILI Siliconix Incorporated - Common Stock (MM)

Siliconix and STMicroelectronics Announce License Agreement for New Double-Sided Cooling MOSFET Packaging Technology GENEVA and SANTA CLARA, Calif., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM) and Siliconix incorporated (NASDAQ:SILI), an 80.4%-owned subsidiary of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE:VSH), today announced that the two companies have concluded an agreement whereby ST will license from Siliconix a new power MOSFET packaging technology that provides superior thermal performance via top and bottom heat dissipation paths in systems using forced air cooling. Offered by Siliconix under the PolarPAK(TM) name, the new package's leadframe and plastic encapsulation are similar to those used for most standard power MOSFET packages, ensuring good die protection and easy handling in manufacturing. Yet compared with the standard SO-8, the PolarPAK package dissipates heat so efficiently that it can handle twice the current within the same footprint dimensions. "With the size of dc-to-dc converters continuing to shrink, it has become a challenge to dissipate the heat generated by various components on the PCB," said Ian Wilson, Manager of the Power MOSFET Division, STMicroelectronics. "Advances in packaging need to be developed in tandem with silicon technology improvements. The PolarPAK package, with its superior thermal handling capability, represents a remarkable evolution in assembly technology allowing designers to increase efficiency and power density. This package technology will complement ST's range of STripFETTM MOSFETs optimized for power conversion in computer, datacom, and telecom applications. "By working together with Siliconix we will achieve the greater market acceptance of this new package necessary to enable cost-effective solutions," said Carmelo Papa, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Microcontroller, Linear and Discretes Product Group, STMicroelectronics. "We are strongly committed to the computer and telecom segments, where we want to be an important player through continuous innovation." "Siliconix power MOSFET innovations include the industry's first trench power MOSFETs and a wide range of package types that maximize power density and thermal performance," said Dr. Felix Zandman, Vishay Chairman and Chief Technical and Business Development Officer, and Dr. Gerald Paul, Vishay President and CEO. "PolarPAK is the latest in a long line of such technology milestones that have made Siliconix and Vishay industry leaders, and this new agreement with STMicroelectronics is a proud moment for us." "In signing this agreement with STMicroelectronics, we are taking a significant step towards the adoption of PolarPAK as an industry-standard package by giving our customers the flexibility of being able to design with a multi-source solution," said Dr. King Owyang, Siliconix President and CEO. "We are proud to have a semiconductor industry leader such as ST recognize the benefits that PolarPAK can bring to a wide range of power MOSFET applications." By delivering superior thermal performance and reducing package-related losses, the 5mm by 6mm PolarPAK package allows designers to create smaller, more compact circuit designs with a lower component count. With a height dimension of just 0.8 mm, half the height of the SO-8, the PolarPAK package enables end products that are thinner as well. About Siliconix Siliconix is a leading manufacturer of power MOSFETs, power ICs, analog switches, and multiplexers for computers, cell phones, fixed communications networks, automobiles, and other consumer and industrial electronic systems. With 2004 worldwide sales of $466.1 million, the Company's facilities include a company-owned Class 1 wafer fab dedicated to the manufacture of power products in Santa Clara, California, and a Class 1 wafer fab located in Itzehoe, Germany utilized under a lease arrangement. The Company's products are also fabricated by subcontractors in Japan, Germany, China, Taiwan, and the United States. Assembly and test facilities include a company-owned facility in Taiwan, a joint venture in Shanghai, China, and subcontractors in the Philippines, China, Taiwan and Israel. About Vishay Intertechnology Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH), is one of the world's largest manufacturers of discrete semiconductors (diodes, rectifiers, transistors, and optoelectronics) and selected ICs, and passive electronic components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transducers). Vishay's components can be found in products manufactured in a very broad range of industries worldwide. Vishay is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and has operations in 17 countries employing over 25,000 people. Vishay can be found on the Internet at http://www.vishay.com/. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2004, the Company's net revenues were $8.76 billion and net earnings were $601 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com/. PolarPAK is a trademark of Siliconix incorporated For further information, please contact Siliconix Peter Henrici Vice President Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. Telephone: +1-408-567-8400 E-mail: STMicroelectronics Maria Grazia Prestini Michael Markowitz Director, Corporate Media Relations Director, U.S. Media Relations Tel: +41.2.29.29.69.45 Tel: +1.212.821.8959 Email: Email: DATASOURCE: STMicroelectronics CONTACT: Maria Grazia Prestini, Director, Corporate Media Relations, +41-2-29-29-69-45, , or Michael Markowitz, Director, U.S. Media Relations, +1-212-821-8959, , both of STMicroelectronics; Peter Henrici, Vice President, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., +1-408-567-8400, Web site: http://www.vishay.com/ http://www.st.com/

Copyright