Micrel Addresses Voracious Power Demands With Latest Family of Micro-Power Single LDOs

Battery-Powered Applications Get Extended Run Time in Ever-Shrinking Package Options

Micrel Inc., , an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC5326/27/37 family of devices. The new family of single output, low quiescent current LDO regulators is ideally suited for today's power-hungry battery-powered electronics including mobile phones, PDAs, MP3s, PNDs, DSCs and handheld medical instruments. This MIC5326/27/37 family of LDOs is capable of sourcing up to 300 milli Amp, while consuming only 24 micro Amp of quiescent current and still maintaining low dropout performance in a tiny 1.2mm x 1.6mm Thin MLF® package. The combination of these performance benefits provide extended battery run time for small handheld applications. The MIC5326/27/37 family is currently available in volume and pricing starting at $0.32 for 1K quantities. Samples can now be ordered on line on Micrel's web site at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do.

"Today's portable applications continue to converge features, while demanding improved operating times from a single battery charge," noted Andy Khayat, Micrel's director of marketing for portable power products. "Micrel's new MIC5326/27/37 family of low quiescent current LDO regulators gives customers the perfect solution where small footprint and maximum battery life are key factors."

The MIC5326/27/37 family provides very fast transient response to any load change condition, while still maintaining high PSRR. The devices achieve this in spite of consuming just 24 micro Amps of quiescent current in a small, thermally-enhanced Thin MLF® package. This combination of high performance and low power consumption makes the MIC5326/27/37 family suitable for all portable handheld applications. The MIC5326/27/37 is a µCap design, operating with very small ceramic output capacitors, which reduces required board space and component cost; and it is available in fixed output voltages. In addition, this family offers full protection circuitry, including current limit and thermal shutdown protection, with an operating junction temperature range of -40°C to 125°C.

About Micrel, Inc.

Micrel Inc., is a leading global manufacturer of IC solutions for the worldwide analog, Ethernet and high bandwidth markets. The Company's products include advanced mixed-signal, analog and power semiconductors; high performance communication, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver ICs. Company customers include leading manufacturers of enterprise, consumer, industrial, mobile, telecommunications, automotive, and computer products. Corporation headquarters and state-of-the-art wafer fabrication facilities are located in San Jose, CA, with regional sales and support offices and advanced technology design centers situated throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company maintains an extensive network of distributors and reps worldwide. Web: http://www.micrel.com.

Note: MLF is a registered trademark of Amkor Technology.