Infineon Introduces Intelligent Power Modules Designed to Increase Energy Efficiency and Reliability of Home Appliance Motors

Munich and Nuremberg, Germany – May 22, 2007 – At the PCIM 2007 exhibition and congress in Nuremberg, Infineon Technologies AG (FSE/NYSE: IFX) today introduced a new family of highly integrated intelligent power modules that contain nearly all of the semiconductor components required to drive electronically controlled variable-speed electric motors. Reflecting Infineon’s commitment to improving energy efficiency of electrical drives, the new CiPoS™ (Control Integrated Power System) modules are designed to enable energy-efficient operation of consumer appliances such as washing machines and air conditioners, offering efficiencies of up to 94 percent. The use of variable-speed motors to reduce the energy consumed by such products as dish and clothes washers, air conditioners and other household appliances is growing in response to regulatory requirements and consumer demand. Concurrently, smart design of drive control electronics to make best use of these motors presents manufacturers with further opportunities for efficiency and savings. The new CiPoS modules incorporate a three-phase inverter power stage with a SOI (Silicon-On-Insulator) gate driver, boot strap diodes and capacitors, and auxiliary circuitry in a compact, high-performance, fully isolated package. Based on a combination of Infineon’s leading-edge TrenchStop™ IGBT (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor) and EmCon™ (Emitter Controlled) diode technology, they eliminate as many as 23 discrete components compared to a design based on discrete components. This can reduce manufacturers’ costs in many ways, including decreased inventory and logistics costs, reduced circuit board space, simplified layout and assembly, improved overall reliability, reduced EMI (electromagnetic interference) and shorter time-to-market. With a basic drive system, such as used in a fan blower, only requiring nine external components and one microcontroller, the CiPoS modules represent a ready-to-use solution for all motor drive systems with a power rating of up to 3 kW. The CiPoS modules also offer the industry’s lowest junction-to-case resistance, which increases output current by up to 20 percent compared to other available modules. For example, the junction-to-case thermal resistance of the IGBTs of the CiPoS module IKCS12F60AA is 3.6°C/W (degrees Celsius/Watt), and of the EmCon diodes is 4.9°C/W. At a nominal operating voltage of 15V, this low resistance results in an output current of 6.0A, compared to the 5.0A produced by the closest competitor. This makes a higher output power possible in designs with equivalent-sized heatsinks compared to alternatives, or the use of a smaller heatsink for the same power Interfacing to the microcontroller is through direct connection of the control terminals supported by pull-up resistors. A feedback control loop can be easily implemented by adding an external operational amplifier. “The CiPoS intelligent power modules are the ideal solution for variable-speed motor applications,” said Wolfgang Ademmer, Senior Director and Head of Consumer Power at Infineon Technologies. “They offer high efficiency high density respective motor drive application enabling the development of increasingly energy-efficient appliances. Further integration of logic functions is also possible. Infineon owns all necessary technologies and is committed to support its customers to realize higher-integrated, more efficient motor drives solutions.” Availability, Packaging and Price The CiPoS family will comprise at least six members. Engineering samples of the first family members, which are in RoHS-compliant single-in-line modules that are best-suited to washing machine and similar applications, are available now. These CiPoS modules include a different number of IGBTs (four or six), feature open or closed emitter and provide varied bending capabilities. For example, the IKCS12F60AA is priced at Euros 9.40 (US-$12.50) per piece in quantities of 1000 pieces. Production-level quantities are expected to be available in the third quarter of 2007. Dual-in-line versions, suited for higher-power HVAC applications, are planned as well. For further information, please go to http://www.infineon.com/cipos

About Infineon Infineon Technologies AG, Munich, Germany, offers semiconductor and system solutions addressing three central challenges to modern society including energy efficiency, connectivity and security.  In fiscal year 2006 (ending September), the company achieved sales of Euro 7.9 billion (including Qimonda sales of Euro 3.8 billion) with approximately 42,000 employees worldwide (including approximately 12,000 Qimonda employees).  With a global presence, Infineon operates through its subsidiaries in the US from Milpitas, CA, in the Asia-Pacific region from Singapore, and in Japan from Tokyo.  Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX). Further information is available at http://www.infineon.com