Vishay Releases Royalty-Free Courier-115™ Software Protocol Enabling Infrared Wireless Communication for Texas Instruments’ MSP430 Microcontroller Platform

MALVERN, Pa. — Feb. 26, 2008 — Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. (NYSE: VSH) continues to broaden its optoelectronics portfolio with the release of Courier-115™, a royalty-free wireless software protocol for devices that are based on TI’s MSP430 microcontroller platform.

Targeting the data logger, personal biometer, and industrial metering markets, Courier-115 provides the basis for simple and fast infrared communication supporting data rates up to 115 kbit/s. With Courier-115 and any of Vishay’s infrared transceivers, products like glucose meters or water meters can feature extremely low-cost, proprietary wireless communication. As a global leader in providing infrared wireless solutions, Vishay provides the wireless hardware and software expertise while customers focus on their product design and development.

RF and infrared communication technology co-exist in a number of metering applications, but infrared provides the more convenient means for high-volume device calibration, initialization, and launch in a manufacturing environment. While RF is commonly used for wireless meter reading in the field, infrared is a much faster medium for downloading firmware updates. The low cost of infrared communication helps manufacturers fill these critical application gaps.

A small code size and small RAM requirement are features of Courier-115 that ease the adoption of unregulated infrared wireless communication. Adapting the best of IrDA but leaving the bulk and complexity behind, the software library is very flexible, allowing direct access to lower layers and simplified subroutine calls. As a member of Texas Instruments’ Third Party Network, Vishay developed the Courier-115 software based on the MSP430 line of ultra-low-power controllers. Vishay’s Courier-115 complements this low power consumption with a unique wake-up-listen-sleep routine, resulting in an average current of 1.0 µA.

Further information on Courier-115 is available from the Vishay Web site, at www.vishay.com/doc?49715.

Vishay will demonstrate the Courier-115 infrared wireless solution at the upcoming TI Developer Conference scheduled for February 26 – 28, 2008 in Dallas, Texas.

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.