IXYS Introduces New Class of IGBTs for Improved Energy Efficiency in Motor Controls for Industrial Automation, Appliance and Electric Vehicle Applications

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--Dec. 1, 20045, 2004--IXYS Corporation introduces a new family of 600V Short Circuit Rated IGBTs with up to 25% lower saturation voltage and lower turn-off energy. Their improved performance enables better efficiency in a broad range of motor control applications. This family utilizes IXYS' next generation IGBT technology to provide significant improvements in efficiency for switching frequencies up to 30 kHz, while also providing a robust short circuit capability. Performance is further enhanced by a 25% reduction in thermal resistance, providing significant increases in power handling and reliability.

These 600V Short Circuit Rated B2-Class Medium Speed IGBTs are targeted at the expanding use of variable speed drive technology in the automation industry and the white goods appliance markets. Typical industrial products are motor drives for robotics, conveyers belts etc. Typical products in the appliance field include washing machines, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and air conditioners. These highly efficient IGBTs are also optimal for inverters for electrical scooters and light electrical vehicles applications.

"Most major appliance makers are adopting variable speed drive technology to meet new efficiency and power factor standards being introduced in the United States and other parts of the world. With increasing energy costs and heightened environmental awareness, it has become more important and more cost effective to modernize the power electronic control of motors with IGBT-based circuitry. Additional demand is also being driven by the increasing use of portable, battery powered systems such as electric vehicles' high efficiency motor drives. IXYS is now positioned with the best-in-class IGBT to address these large market opportunities," according to Don Humbert Director of Power MOS Marketing at IXYS. "The B2-Class of Short-Circuit Rated IGBTs offers improved performance with reduced cost, making them ideal for these target applications."

Initial Short-Circuit Rated B2-Class products will be targeted for applications ranging from 5A to 40A. They will be offered in standard low cost through-hole TO-220, TO-247 and TO-3P packages and surface mount TO-263 and TO-268 packages. IXYS' proprietary isolated ISOPLUS(TM) packages is also available for large volume opportunities, as well as options to provide discretely packaged phase-leg options in IXYS' ISOPLUS i4-PAC(TM).

Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including the availability, performance, ruggedness, and suitability of products for various applications, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of IXYS to differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements, including, among others, risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2004. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements.