Boosting Capacity, Vishay Becomes Number-One Producer of Infrared Receiver Modules

MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA-August 3, 2001-Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.(NYSE: VSH) today announced that it is now the industry's number-one producer of the infrared (IR) receiver modules that are used in remote controls for TV sets, DVD players, VCRs, set-top boxes, game pads and a host of other applications.

Compared with last year, Vishay has boosted its capacity for IR receivers by more than 25% in 2001, and is currently manufacturing the devices at a rate of approximately one million per day.

Despite the large volumes in which they are produced, the design and manufacture of infrared receivers remains an exacting science. Unlike emitter devices, which need merely to send out a focused infrared beam, IR receivers need a high level of sensitivity to distinguish between infrared signals and the all the other forms of energy that may be present where they are used, including sunlight and energy-saving lamps. Vishay Telefunken IR receiver modules accomplish this with an internal metal shield and with intelligent automatic gain control circuitry, which suppresses the effect of such disturbances.

Multimedia is one of the fastest growing applications for Vishay Telefunken infrared receivers, with devices being designed into interactive TV, video conferencing systems, game controllers, interactive toys, and wireless keyboards and mice. Since speed is essential for these applications, Vishay has introduced new families of infrared receivers that can handle incoming data at rates upwards of 20 kbit/s at a transmission distance of up to 20 meters-and which start up within 50 microseconds of receiving an infrared signal.      

At the same time, Vishay has shrunk the size of the devices. For example, infrared receivers in the highly advanced TSOP7000 series for multimedia measure just 6 mm by 8.25 mm by 5.6 mm. Even smaller SMD devices in the TSOP52xx series-which measure just 7.5 mm by 5.3 mm by 4 mm-feature an extended reception range of up to 30 meters (98 feet), a record for the industry.      

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, sensors, and transducers). These components are used in virtually all types of electronic devices and equipment, in the industrial, computing, automotive, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Its product innovations, successful acquisition strategy, and ability to provide "one-stop shop" service have made Vishay a global industry leader. Vishay can be found on the Internet at http://www.vishay.com.