Microsemi Introduces New Cost-effective Transient Voltage Suppressors to Protect Aircraft from Lightning Strikes

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq: MSCC), a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance, today introduced two new cost-reduced versions of its transient voltage suppressor (TVS) devices in its patented plastic large area device (PLAD) package. The lower cost 15 kilowatt (kW) MPLAD15KP and 30 kW MPLAD30KP TVS families meet lightning-protection requirements in aircraft, including the multi-stroke standard (RTCA DO-160E), that have grown in importance as a result of the introduction and growing use of composite body airframes. Both devices are offered in a surface mount package and are backwards-compatible with the previous generation of Microsemi's PLAD packaged TVS parts – there are no changes to electrical or thermal performance.

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"Re-engineering our proprietary PLAD package allows us to offer our customers a highly reliable solution that lowers the cost of TVS protection by about 20 percent," said Durga Peddireddy, director of marketing for Microsemi's High Reliability Products group. "In addition, our single component solution saves board space, lowers weight and improves reliability over the multi-device designs often used to provide these high levels of protection."

The new 15 kW and 30 kW PLAD designs lower the cost of voltage surge protection, preventing the disruption of digital signal processing, component damage and interruption of function due to inductive load dumps or the indirect effects of lightning. The PLAD package combines a large die size with a large exposed bottom-side metal slug for heat sinking that improves power handling as compared to through-hole packaged designs. The PLADs are also compatible with standard surface mount assembly automation.

The 15 kW family operates at (standoff) ranges from 7 volts (V) to 200 V, and the 30 kW family comes in voltages from 14 to 400 V. Both unidirectional and bi-directional versions are available. The parts can be supplied in RoHS-compliant form (2002/95/EC) or with SnPb lead plating. They are halogen free (IEC 61249-2-21) and meet MSL level 1 (J-STD-020) industry standards.

All of Microsemi's PLAD packaged devices are 100 percent surge tested and can be supplied in various 'upscreened' versions that have been exposed to levels of additional qualification and screening tests (similar to those applied to JANX military grade devices) to weed out device infant mortalities and improve reliability. Material and manufacturing changes are made only under a Process Change Notification process with the customer. For more information, visit http://www.microsemi.com/en/sites/default/files/datasheets/HiRel_Up-Screen_Plastic.pdf.

In addition to TVS devices, Microsemi's aviation portfolio includes: field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs); ICs, integrated standard and custom products; power modules; power supplies; radio frequency, microwave and millimeter wave solutions, and high reliability non-semiconductor products. Many devices are radiation-tolerant or hardened, Class-B QML-qualified and DSCC certified.

For more information, visit http://www.microsemi.com/en/design-support/product-brochures.

Customers are invited to learn more about Microsemi's new TVS devices and comprehensive portfolio of aerospace solutions at Electronica 2012 in Hall A4, Stand 207, at the New Munich Trade Faire in Munich, November 13-16, 2012.

About Microsemi
Microsemi Corporation (Nasdaq: MSCC) offers a comprehensive portfolio of semiconductor and system solutions for communications, defense & security, aerospace and industrial markets. Products include high-performance, radiation-hardened and highly reliable analog mixed-signal integrated circuits, FPGAs, SoCs and ASICs; power management products; timing and voice processing devices; RF solutions; discrete components; security technologies and scalable anti-tamper products; Power-over-Ethernet ICs and midspans; as well as custom design capabilities and services. Microsemi is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., and has approximately 3,000 employees globally. Learn more at www.microsemi.com.

Microsemi and the Microsemi logo are registered trademarks or service marks of Microsemi Corporation and/or its affiliates. Third-party trademarks and service marks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Any statements set forth in this news release that are not entirely historical and factual in nature, including without limitation statements related to its new cost-reduced versions of its transient voltage suppressor devices in its proprietary, patented plastic large area device package, and its potential effects on future business, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as rapidly changing technology and product obsolescence, potential cost increases, variations in customer order preferences, weakness or competitive pricing environment of the marketplace, uncertain demand for and acceptance of the company's products, adverse circumstances in any of our end markets, results of in-process or planned development or marketing and promotional campaigns, difficulties foreseeing future demand, potential non-realization of expected orders or non-realization of backlog, product returns, product liability, and other potential unexpected business and economic conditions or adverse changes in current or expected industry conditions, difficulties and costs of protecting patents and other proprietary rights, inventory obsolescence and difficulties regarding customer qualification of products. In addition to these factors and any other factors mentioned elsewhere in this news release, the reader should refer as well to the factors, uncertainties or risks identified in the company's most recent Form 10-K and all subsequent Form 10-Q reports filed by Microsemi with the SEC. Additional risk factors may be identified from time to time in Microsemi's future filings. The forward-looking statements included in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and Microsemi does not undertake any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

SOURCE Microsemi Corporation