IC's Flexible Framework Addresses Industry Need For Complex Power-Up Protocols

SAN JOSE, Calif., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micrel Inc., (NASDAQ: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today introduced the 4A MIC68400, the latest addition to its MIC68000 family of LDOs designed specifically for powering FPGA, CPLDs, DSPs and microcontrollers. The devices are aimed at applications such as broadband modems, routers, servers, storage networks, and wireless base stations. The MIC68400 is currently available in volume with pricing starting at 2.50 for 1K quantities.

The device will be showcased for the first time at APEC, The Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition. The industry's premiere event will be held Feb. 25 - March 1, at the Disneyland Hotel, Anaheim, California. Micrel will be exhibiting at the event, booth number 409-411.

"With the introduction of the MIC68400, Micrel has the industry's broadest portfolio of solutions featuring integrated sequencing, tracking and ramp control," noted Ralf Muenster, Micrel's director of marketing for power products. "The MIC68400 technology is reflective of the entire MIC68000 family; it offers a very flexible framework in order to meet the complex power-up protocols many of today's advanced mission critical systems require for reliable operation."

The MIC68400 supports various power-up and power-down protocols such as sequencing, tracking, and ratiometric tracking that can be implemented very easily with the use of few passive components. Additionally, multiple MIC68400 and/or other devices within the MIC68000 family can be daisy-chained together for a complete synchronized system power-up and power-down. The IC operates from a wide input range of 1.65V to 5.5V and supports an output voltage as low as 0.5V with 2 percent accuracy. Integrated protection features include thermal, current limit and reverse current protection. The MIC68400 is offered in a tiny 16-lead 4mm x 4mm MLF(R) package.

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.

Web site: http://www.micrel.com//