Process improves analogue circuit performance & reliability

The new enhanced family of analogue switches and multiplexers introduced by Vishay Siliconix is designed on a high-density 18V process. The process not only offers an upgrade path for customers using Vishay's current 12V series products, but also enables Vishay to develop new precision analogue products with higher complexity for sensitive analogue designs.

Key improvements to device specifications include an increase of the operating voltage from 12 to 16V; lower leakage, reduced parasitic capacitance; faster switching speeds; and enhanced ruggedness, with higher latch-up current and ESD protection ratings. For example, the DG9408E and DG9409E - drop-in upgrades for the popular DG9408 and DG9409 - feature 20% lower switch on-resistance, 10% faster switching speeds, 35% lower parasitic capacitance, enhanced latch-up capability to 400mA, and guaranteed ESD protection to 2.5kV (human body model).

Vishay is building the new devices on a mature process platform in an established facility with an eye towards shortening lead times and fully supporting the long life cycles of these analog switch products, which are widely used in such market applications as industrial control and automation systems, audio and video signal routing, instrumentation and test equipment, data acquisition, communication systems and medical & healthcare systems.

The 12V device families being upgraded to enhanced versions are summarised in the table below.

Roy Shoshani, Vice President, Power ICs, Vishay, commented: "These new products are the first in a series of innovative analogue devices that this new process enables. We're confident that customers who adopt these new products will see performance improvements in their precision analogue circuit designs. We know that our customers designing for applications such as industrial, instrumentation and healthcare require long product life cycles, and this new platform will support that while providing improved performance and ruggedness. In addition, improved manufacturing will result in shorter lead times, making product more readily available."

Samples and production quantities of the enhanced analogue switch products are available now, with lead times of 10 weeks.