Silicon Labs Introduces `Green` PoE/PoE+ Quad PSE Controller

Si345x Family Saves 24 W in a 48-port PoE+ System
AUSTIN, Texas--(Business Wire)--
Silicon Laboratories Inc. (NASDAQ: SLAB), a leader in high-performance,
analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs, today introduced the Si345x family, the
industry`s most integrated, energy-efficient quad Power over Ethernet (PoE)
Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controllers. Able to support four independent PoE
(IEEE 802.3af) and PoE+ (IEEE 802.3at) PSE ports, the Si345x controllers offer
real-time power measurement capabilities, energy-efficient powered device (PD)
detection and disconnect algorithms, and the industry`s lowest on-resistance
power field-effect transistors (FETs) and sense resistors. These features enable
smaller, highly energy-efficient and lower-cost PoE/PoE+ Ethernet switches and
midspans designed to power multi-radio wireless access points, industrial
automation systems, VoIP phones, and building security and surveillance systems.

The recently ratified IEEE 802.3at PoE+ standard supports up to 30 W per port,
enabling PoE to be deployed across more power-hungry applications. However,
there is a growing need to make these applications "greener" through increased
power efficiencies. Network administrators increasingly demand per-port power
measurement and dynamic power allocation to maximize their network`s overall
power efficiency and minimize power supply costs.

"Minimizing power consumption is an analog-intensive design issue, and Silicon
Labs has developed an IP portfolio that enables us to tackle these tough
challenges in innovative, cost-effective ways," said Dave Bresemann, vice
president of Silicon Laboratories. "Silicon Labs designed the Si345x PoE/PoE+
controllers with a system approach, leveraging our proprietary analog,
high-voltage and process technology expertise to deliver a solution that allows
designers to maximize energy efficiency and reduce BOM costs and PCB area."

Real-Time Power Monitoring

The Si345x controllers incorporate high-precision current and voltage monitoring
capability to measure the power consumed by each port in real-time, enabling
systems to maintain tighter control of power allocation. This approach enables
smaller power supplies and lower supply overhead and gives system administrators
visibility into how much power is allocated to and consumed by each port in
their network. IEEE`s link layer discovery protocol (LLDP) power management is
fully supported by the Si3452 and its Power Manager Software Development Kit,
enabling dynamic power allocation. With LLDP, powered devices can make requests
to increase or decrease their consumption, and the PSE responds with an
acknowledgement or denial based on system power budgets and constraints.

Energy-Efficient Disconnect Algorithm

The Si345x controllers leverage a patent-pending approach to provide a reliable
alternative to traditional ac or dc disconnect methods, further improving system
power efficiency. Using this innovative method, called dV/dt disconnect, an
Si345x controller is able to detect the absence of a connected powered device
through proprietary measurement techniques, avoiding the use of dc disconnect or
power-hungry series diodes and extra BOM components associated with ac
disconnect. The dV/dt disconnect feature helps eliminate expensive thermal
management components, such as heat sinks and fans, making the Si345x family a
truly green PoE solution. For example, compared to a PoE+ PSE system implemented
with an ac disconnect-based PSE controller, a solution using the Si345x`s dV/dt
disconnect algorithm, integrated low on-resistance FETs and current sense
resistors saves nearly 500 mW per port in power consumption or approximately 24
W in a 48-port system.

Only PSE Controller with Integrated Per Port Power FET, Sense Resistor and TVS

The unmatched integration of the Si3452 controller decreases the per-port
solution cost and shrinks printed circuit board (PCB) layout area. Each Si3452
supports four PoE or PoE+ PSE ports, with proprietary support for power levels
up to 40 W per port. A robust, 0.3 ohm power MOSFET, current sense resistor and
a proprietary transient voltage surge suppressor are integrated on each port,
simplifying the bill of materials to a single capacitor, reducing per port costs
by up to $0.20 and saving up to 55 percent in PCB space.

Complete Reference Designs and SDK

The Si345x family is supported by a complete set of development tools, including
a feature-rich Power Manager Software Development Kit and 8-port midspan
evaluation system (Si3452MS8-KIT) to enable rapid integration with software
protocol stacks offered by leading Ethernet switch chipset suppliers. Three
complete reference designs are also available from Silicon Labs to support PSE
daughtercard and motherboard implementations. The complete PSE subsystem
solution includes Silicon Labs` Si840x family of bidirectional I2C isolators,
which isolate the Si345x`s I2C bus to the host system controller. Visit
www.silabs.com/ISOpro for more information on the Si840x family.

Pricing and Availability

Fully compliant with the IEEE 802.3at standard, the environmentally friendly
Si3452/3 controllers are available in RoHS-compliant, 6 x 6 mm QFN packaging.
Samples and production quantities are available now. Pricing for the Si3452/3
controllers is $3.40 (USD) in 10k quantities. Industrial temperature range
devices are also available now. The Si3452MS8-KIT is available now and priced at
$345.00 (USD). Visit www.silabs.com/pr/PoE for more information about the Power
Manager SDK and reference designs.

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

Silicon Laboratories is an industry leader in the innovation of
high-performance, analog-intensive, mixed-signal ICs. Developed by a world-class
engineering team with unsurpassed expertise in mixed-signal design, Silicon
Labs` diverse portfolio of highly integrated, easy-to-use products offers
customers significant advantages in performance, size and power consumption.
These patented solutions serve a broad set of markets and applications including
consumer, communications, computing, industrial and automotive.

Headquartered in Austin, TX, Silicon Labs is a global enterprise with
operations, sales and design activities worldwide. The company is committed to
contributing to our customers` success by recruiting the highest quality talent
to create industry-changing innovations. For more information about Silicon
Labs, please visit www.silabs.com.

Cautionary Language

This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on Silicon
Laboratories` current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. For a
discussion of factors that could impact Silicon Laboratories' financial results
and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking
statements, please refer to Silicon Laboratories` filings with the SEC. Silicon
Laboratories disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise.

Note to editors: Silicon Laboratories, Silicon Labs, the "S" symbol, the Silicon
Laboratories logo and the Silicon Labs logo are trademarks of Silicon
Laboratories Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of
their respective holders.

Silicon Laboratories Inc.
Dale Weisman, +1-512-532-5871
dale.weisman@silabs.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009