International Power Supply Design Competition Winners Include Four Uni

    Business Editors/Energy Editors/Technology Writers
    Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC)

    AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2005--

California Energy Commission and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    name the Hong Kong Polytechnic University team Grand Champion
    of the Efficiency Challenge's Open Category

    The California Energy Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today jointly announced the winners of Efficiency Challenge 2004, an international design competition for energy-efficient external power supplies. Among those winning top honors, were all four of the university teams ON Semiconductor supported with parts, technical assistance and $8,500 in monetary prizes.
    Hong Kong Polytechnic University team's power supply design for an external stand alone AA battery charger was named both Grand Champion and Best in Class in the Open Category. With an output power of 2.5 W, an output voltage of 6.25 V and an output current of 0.4 A, the team's design delivered an average active power efficiency of 74 percent. The design was implemented using the NCP1215A variable OFF time switch mode power supply (SMPS) controller from ON Semiconductor. The judges noted that the design's low part count was impressive, that it delivered an extremely good efficiency for such a low output power and that the no load power consumption of 0.16 W was remarkable.
    "ON Semiconductor's support of Efficiency Challenge was a key component in getting university teams involved in the contest," said Andrew Fanara of the U.S. EPA's ENERGY STAR program. "We are really pleased that an industry leader has taken up the challenge to bring new ideas into the marketplace that will help drive efficiency improvements."
    The other university teams supported by ON Semiconductor that won Best in Sub-Class awards were:

    Hong Kong Polytechnic University - was awarded Best in
    Sub-Class B2 for their second entry, an external power supply
    for a cordless phone. This design delivered an average power
    efficiency of 82 percent with an output power of 6 W, an
    output voltage of 9 V, an output current of 0.667 A. The
    design implemented the NCP1215A variable OFF time switch mode
    power supply (SMPS) controller from ON Semiconductor. The
    judges noted that the average efficiency at this output power
    is about 50 percent - so the 82 percent efficiency the team
    achieved was a difficult accomplishment. In addition, the
    judges commented that the no load power consumption of 0.2 W
    was remarkable. For this placement and the team's Grand
    Champion honor, ON Semiconductor awarded the team a $5,000
    cash prize

    University of Illinois - was awarded Best in Sub-Class A1 for
    its external power supply for a Cordless Vacuum, Standalone AA
    Battery Charger. The design delivered 68 percent efficiency
    with an output power of 2.5 W, an output voltage of 6 V and an
    output current of 0.417 A. This design implemented two diodes,
    a bipolar transistor and three different zener diodes from ON
    Semiconductor. The judges noted that the average efficiencies
    of these types of power supplies are around 50 percent in
    active and that to achieve 68 percent efficiency represented a
    true leap in what is possible with power efficiency levels. ON
    Semiconductor awarded this team a $2,000 prize award.

    Dartmouth College - was awarded Best in Sub-Class C2 for its
    external power supply for an Office Phone, Computer
    Peripheral. The design delivered 88 percent efficiency with an
    output power of 11.2 W, and output voltage of 7.59 V and an
    output current of 1.48 A. This design implemented both a zener
    diode and Schottky devices from ON Semiconductor. The judges
    noted that the design had remarkable active mode efficiency
    considering typical output power is at 60 percent in active
    mode. ON Semiconductor awarded this team a $1,000 award.

    National Taiwan University of Science and Technology - was
    awarded Best in Sub-Class D1 for its external power supply for
    an LCD Monitor. The design delivered an average efficiency of
    89 percent with an output power of 80 W, an output voltage of
    12 V and an output current of 6.7 A. This design was
    accomplished using NCP1601, a novel power factor correction
    (PFC) controller from ON Semiconductor for discontinuous mode
    PFC The judges noted that the design remarkably approaches the
    90 percent active mode efficiency level. ON Semiconductor
    awarded this team a $500 honorable mention award.

    "ON Semiconductor is committed to the goal of active mode efficiency improvement in power supplies used for everyday applications, and by sponsoring this event for academic institutions, we have provided a channel for truly innovative ideas to emerge so that the industry as a whole can benefit from them," said Andy Williams, ON Semiconductor vice president of Power Conversion Products. "With ON Semiconductor's proven leadership in helping the industry surpass the most stringent standby power requirements, we are confident that in the coming years, we will lead the way in active mode efficiency solutions as well."

    About the Contest

    When the Efficiency Challenge contest was first announced at APEC 2004, the intent was to showcase highly efficient technologies and foster their success in the marketplace. Since then, the Energy Commission passed mandatory standards in December 2004 and the EPA's ENERGY STAR(R) program launched a voluntary labeling specification in January - both for external power supplies. Many of the winning entries not only meet those programs' requirements, but go well beyond them, pointing to what is possible with high efficiency and very compact size in future power supply designs.
    The Efficiency Challenge design competition - which was announced at APEC 2004 - featured two major categories. The Open Category showcased the most efficient power supply designs from industry and academia without cost constraints. The Market Ready Category covered internal and external designs that could cost-effectively save energy in particular types of consumer electronics products. Entries came in from companies and universities in the United States, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
    Visit http://www.efficientpowersupplies.org/competition.html for more information on power supply efficiency or to download the complete Efficiency Challenge 2004 press kit.

    About Power Supplies

    Power supplies are devices that convert incoming AC (alternating current) power from wall outlets into low voltage DC (direct current) power needed for numerous consumer and office electronic products, such as cellular and cordless phones, computers, televisions, etc. EPA's ENERGY STAR program and the Energy Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program have identified AC-DC power supplies as a major opportunity for reducing global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
    Highly efficient power supplies offer powerful advantages to consumers. They tend to be much smaller and lighter than typical power supplies, increasing portability and convenience. They produce very little waste heat as well, so rarely require noisy cooling fans. EPA estimates that efficient external power supplies alone could save the United States 5 billion kWh per year - equivalent to preventing the emissions of 700,000 cars.

    About ON Semiconductor

    With its global logistics network and strong portfolio of power semiconductor devices, ON Semiconductor (Nasdaq: ONNN) is a preferred supplier of power solutions to engineers, purchasing professionals, distributors and contract manufacturers in the computer, cell phone, portable devices, automotive and industrial markets. For more information, please visit ON Semiconductor's website at http://www.onsemi.com.

    ON Semiconductor and the ON Semiconductor logo are registered trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC. All other brand and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Although the company references its website in this news release, such information on the website is not to be incorporated herein.

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CONTACT: ON Semiconductor Marketing Communications: Anne Spitza, 602-244-6398 anne.spitza@onsemi.com or Investor Relations: Ken Rizvi, 602-244-3437 ken.rizvi@onsemi.com

KEYWORD: ARIZONA TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE ENVIRONMENT ENERGY UTILITIES TRADESHOW MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: ON Semiconductor

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