Technology: Portable gets flexible with Micrel`s ultra-compact chip solution

MIC2811 21 Combines One Highly Efficient DC-to-DC Converter With Three LDO Regulators For Multimedia Chipsets And Micro-Controller Or Low Power FPGA-Based Systems

San Jose, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC2811/21, a highly efficient flexible power management IC (PMIC) that provides four output voltages in a tiny 3mm x 3mm MLF(R)-16 lead package.

This quad output device is ideal for providing voltages necessary for system core, I/O, auxiliary and external memory supplies such as SDRAM, NAND flash or Secure Digital (SDIO) found in today's portable devices. The MIC2811/21 are currently available in volume quantities with pricing starting at $1.46 for 1K quantities. Samples can now be ordered on line on Micrel's web site at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do.

"The MIC2811 and MIC2821 offer the maximum flexibility needed to power portable devices using multimedia chips, DSPs or FPGAs, where battery life is of great importance," noted Andy Khayat, Micrel's director of marketing for portable products.

"By offering four output voltage rails in a single 3mm x 3mm MLF(R) package with three independent input supplies, the MIC2811 and MIC2821 allow designers to optimize for size, efficiency and configurability."

The operating efficiency of the MIC2811/21 can be dramatically improved by supplying two of the LDO regulators from low voltage sources such as the output of the DC-to-DC converter. LDOs 1 and 2 operate from independent input supply down to 1.65V.

This minimizes the voltage drop from input to popular output voltages such as 1.0V or 1.2V to increase efficiency. The DC-to-DC converter and the remaining LDO share the same input supply with an input range of 2.7 to 5.5V.

The fixed 2MHz switching frequency of the DC-to-DC converter allows simple noise filtering in sensitive RF applications. Output current rating for the DC-to-DC is 600mA while the three LDOs each support up to 300mA. All four regulators have an output accuracy of +/- 3 per cent over an operating junction temperature range of -40 to 125 deg. C.

The MIC2811 supports an optional bypass capacitor to optimize noise and PSRR performance of LDO1 and LDO2 for noise sensitive applications. The MIC2821 offers independent enables for all four outputs to support advanced sequencing and control for system power state optimization.

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 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.
SOURCE: Micrel, Inc.
CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications, Micrel, Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276, Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com

Technology: Micrel slashes BOM costs with new 2.5Gbps laser diode driver

San Jose, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched a new stand-alone 2.5Gbps laser diode driver (LDD) with integrated Automatic Power Control (APC) and a power monitoring feature to keep average optical power constant during temperature changes and over the lifetime of the laser.

The SY88212 L is also designed with high compliance voltage, allowing it to be DC-coupled to the laser to reduce external component count and power consumption. The SY88212 L is a single-supply, 3.3V laser driver designed for datacom and telecom applications, including LAN and MAN with any data rates up to 2.5Gbps. Such applications include FC, GbE, SONET, OC3/12 24/48 and SDH, STM 1/4/8. The device is also well suited for SFF and SFP modules. The IC is currently available in volume and pricing starts at $3.00 for 1K quantity. Samples can now be ordered on line on Micrel's web site at: http://www.micrel.com ProductList.do.

"Micrel has been offering fiber optic module chipset solutions including the controllers, MIC3001/2. As the markets grow more rapidly and the demand for lower cost solutions increases, Micrel expands its LDD product portfolio by offering customers a high-performance, stand-alone laser driver with APC and power monitoring," noted Thomas Wong, vice president for high bandwidth products at Micrel.

"This solution minimizes the number of external components and lowers the Bill Of Materials (BOM) cost, making Micrel's solution cost-effective and flexible."

The driver can deliver modulation current up to 85mA and bias current up to 70mA, and is suitable for both AC and DC-coupled laser interfaces due to its high compliance voltage. The SY88212 L also features an APC fault indicator, TXenable TXdisable for enabling/disabling the driver, and a power- monitoring pin, which monitors the current that is proportional to the sum of bias current and half of modulation current. It is available in a 24-pin (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.

SOURCE Micrel Inc.
CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications of Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276, Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com

Micrel rolls out new high speed, dual supply for applications

San Jose, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC47100, an 1A High Speed, NMOS LDO designed to take advantage of applications that that utilize multiple supply rails to generate a low voltage, high current power supply.

The device is targeted at point-of-load, PDAs, DSPs, PLDs, FPGAs and low voltage post regulation applications. It is currently available in volume quantities and are priced at $1.57 for 1K quantities in the MLF(R) package and $1.62 for 1K quantities in the ePad SOIC-8 package.

"With its flexible design for output currents up to 1A, the MIC47100 is the market's best solution for low input and output voltage applications," noted Andy Cowell, Micrel's vice president of marketing for power products.

"In addition, the device has fast transient response which makes it ideal for the market's most demanding bandwidth applications. With the high speed load, coupled with low Q current and low dropout voltage, the MIC47100 is idea for core voltages of mobile processors, post regulating a core DC-to-DC converter in any portable device."

The NMOS output stage of the MIC47100 makes for unique ability to respond very quickly to sudden load changes such as that required by a microprocessor, DSP or FPGA. It can source 1A of programmable output current while only requiring a 1uF ceramic output capacitor for stability.

The device offers an operating voltage range of 1.0V to 3.6V input supply, 2.3V to 5.5V bias supply and 200mV dropout. It comes with a 0.8V to 1.2V output voltage range and a PSRR of >50dB at 100kHz. The solution features a low dropout voltage of 80mV at 1A.

It also gives designers high output voltage accuracy of +/- 1.5 percent initial accuracy and +/- 2 percent over temperature. The MIC47100 in an exposed pad MSOP-8 package or a tiny 2mm x 2mm MLF(R) package; the small form package being ideal for customers with limited board space.

The IC features a with an operating junction temperature range of -40-deg C to 125-deg 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.
SOURCE Micrel, Inc.
CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications of
Micrel, Inc., +1-408-474-1276, Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Micrel previews industry`s hottest new power solutions at IIC China

Chengdu (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in IC analog, high bandwidth and Ethernet solutions, today announced that it would be previewing the industry's newest and most innovative power analog IC solutions at the 13th Annual International IC-China Conference & Exhibition.

The show will be held in four locations this year: Chengdu (Feb. 28-29); Shenzhen (March 3-4); Beijing (March 6-7); and Shanghai (March 10-11), China.

Micrel will also participate in the IIC Power Management and Automotive Electronics Vendor Seminars with the schedule detailed as follows . Power Management Vendor Seminars: Chengdu, Feb. 28, 13:30-14:20 p.m.; Shenzhen, March 3, 13:30-14:20 p.m.; Beijing: March 6, 13:30-14:20 p.m.; and Shanghai, March 10, 13:30-14:20 p.m. Automotive Electronics Vendor Seminars: Chengdu, Feb. 28, 15:40-16:30 p.m.; and Shenzhen, March 4, 14:40-15:30 p.m.

Included in the preview will be a fully-integrated 4A synchronous buck regulator, the MIC22400 for 3V and 5V supply rails. With operating frequency programmable from 800KHz to 4 MHz, the IC features built-in sequencing, tracking and ramp control, enabling all power-up sequencing and tracking protocols.

Targeted at the communications, computing peripherals, and high- end consumer markets, the solution is ideal for servers routers, HD DVD recorders, wireless base stations, FPGAs, DSPs, and low voltage ASICs, as well as other high power density applications.

The Company will also preview the MICRF218 the world's first programmable receiver featuring jam avoidance. The MICRF218, which is part of Micrel's QwikRadio(R) family, is targeted at garage door openers and tire pressure monitoring systems. It is the world's first integrated ASK/OOK receiver with selectable IF bandwidth for 300 to 450 MHz operation.

Finally, Micrel will also showcase the MIC94064/5, a series of high-side load switches that extend Micrel's industry-leading MIC9406 x family of high-side load switch products. The MIC9406 x family now covers a wide range of battery-powered consumer and industrial applications that require a variety of turn-on characteristics, including portable computers, cell phones, and personal media devices.

"Micrel's breadth of analog products now includes more than more than 1,500 solutions including Low Noise Regulators (LDOs), Switchers, Switches (USB, High Side, Cable), Hot Swap Controllers, Power Management, MOSFET Drivers, Voltage References, and Power Supervisors," noted Andrew Cowell, Micrel's vice president of marketing for analog products.

"These new devices, from the world's first programmable receiver featuring jam avoidance, to a the smallest fully-integrated 4A synchronous buck regulator for 3V and 5V supply rails, demonstrate Micrel's on-going commitment to providing China with the most innovative and advanced ICs on the market today."

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.
QwikRadio is a registered trademark of Micrel, Inc. The QwikRadio ICs were developed under a development agreement with AIT of Orlando, FL.

SOURCE: Micrel Inc.
CONTACT:
Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications, Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276, Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Micrel announces two new soft-start high side power switches

San Jose, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC94064/5, a series of high-side load switches that extend Micrel's industry-leading MIC9406x family of high-side load switch products.

The MIC9406x family now covers a wide range of battery-powered consumer and industrial applications that require a variety of turn-on characteristics, including portable computers, cell phones, and personal media devices. The MIC94064/5 series is currently available in volume quantities, with pricing starting at $0.37, for 1K quantities.

"A natural extension of our highly successful MIC94060/1/2 3, the new MIC94064/5 devices offer our customers even more design flexibility than ever before," noted John Lee, director of mixed-signal and RF products, Micrel. "With the introduction of the MIC94064/5 series, our customers can now pick a device from the MIC9406x family with a turn-on time that is optimized for their specific applications."

The MIC94064/5 offer an output voltage turn-on time of 115 micron s, complementing the less than 1 micron turn-on time for the MIC94060/1 and 800 micron s turn-on time for the MIC94062 3. The MIC9406x feature a typical R(DSON) of 77mohm. The devices operate with inputs ranging from 1.7V to 5.5V. Each solution can be driven by a low 1.5V logic level, which is accomplished by incorporating a novel built-in level shift circuitry that allows low voltage logic to control higher voltage supplies.

Battery time is greatly extended in portable applications due to the low operating current of 2 micron A and a shutdown current of less than 1 micron A. The MIC94064/5 have a slew rate controlled turn-on time of 115 micron s (typical) that prevents in-rush current. In addition, the MIC94065 provides an active load discharge circuit that insures capacitive loads retain no charge when the main switch is in an OFF state. The MIC94064/5 series are available housed in the thin 4-pin 1.2mm x 1.6mm MLF(R) and Teeny(TM) SC-70-6 packages.

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.
Teeny is a trademark of Micrel Inc.

CONTACT:
Julieanne DiBene,
Marketing Communications for Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276, Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com
(MCRL)
SOURCE: Micrel Inc.

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Micrel announces new Dual-Channel Hot-Plug Power Controllers

San Jose, California, (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC2341 and MIC2342. The devices are Dual Channel Hot-Plug Power Controllers that support the power requirements for PCI Express Specification v2.0.

The MIC2341 and MIC2342 augment Micrel's growing PCIe product family and are ideal for high performance enterprise computing network system processor boards, DDR memory boards, embedded systems and gigabit Ethernet add-in cards for the server networks and RAID/storage network markets. The devices are currently available in volume quantities and are priced at $4.54 for 1K quantities.

"The MIC2341 and MIC2342 both offer an integrated solution that minimizes solution component count and lower overall BOM cost," noted Andy Cowell, Micrel's marketing vice president for analog products. "In addition, both ICs feature very rapid response times to potentially catastrophic overcurrent load events, key in mission-critical applications for the server and RAID/storage network markets."

The MIC2341 and MIC2342 provide support for 12V, 3.3V, and 3.3VAUX supplies and are equipped with many features -- including programmable gate voltage slew-rate control, voltage supervision, programmable current limit, and circuit breaker functions. The devices support two independent PCI Express slots, offer integrated power MOSFETS for 3.3VAUX rails with low backfeed on the MAIN +12V and +3.3V rails, an important consideration during standby operation for Wake-on-LAN applications.

The ICs also offer dual-level, dual-speed overcurrent fault protection and a user-programmable primary overcurrent filter to eliminate nuisance tripping. Separate MAIN and AUX overcurrent fault output signals and load card detection (present) switch inputs are also offered. Power will be delivered only when the module/card is fully inserted and power fault isolation allows an unaffected power rail(s) to remain active and accelerates debugging effort(s) when locating a faulty area(s) in the circuit. In addition, the ICs provide system management flexibility in offering either a latched or auto-retry option.

The MAIN output rails of the MIC2342 shut down during an overcurrent fault on AUX for a given slot, whereas MAIN outputs of the MIC2341 are independent of an overcurrent fault occurring on AUX. Both ICs are available in RoHS compliant 48-pin TQFP Pb-free package. All options feature a 0-deg C to +70-deg C ambient temperature range.

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.

CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene,
Marketing Communications of Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276,
Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com
SOURCE: Micrel Inc.

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS

Micrel announces new low cost Dual-Channel Hot-Plug Power Controllers

San Jose, California (ANTARA News/PRNewswire-AsiaNet) - Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC2341 and MIC2342. The devices are Dual Channel Hot-Plug Power Controllers that support the power requirements for PCI Express Specification v2.0. The MIC2341 and MIC2342 augment Micrel's growing PCIe product family and are ideal for high performance enterprise computing network system processor boards, DDR memory boards, embedded systems and gigabit Ethernet add-in cards for the server networks and RAID/storage network markets. The devices are currently available in volume quantities and are priced at $4.54 for 1K quantities.

"The MIC2341 and MIC2342 both offer an integrated solution that minimizes solution component count and lower overall BOM cost," noted Andy Cowell, Micrel's marketing vice president for analog products. "In addition, both ICs feature very rapid response times to potentially catastrophic overcurrent load events key in mission-critical applications for the server and RAID/storage network markets."

The MIC2341 and MIC2342 provide support for 12V, 3.3V, and 3.3VAUX supplies and are equipped with many features -- including programmable gate voltage slew-rate control, voltage supervision, programmable current limit, and circuit breaker functions. The devices support two independent PCI Express slots, offer integrated power MOSFETS for 3.3VAUX rails with low backfeed on the MAIN +12V and +3.3V rails, an important consideration during standby operation for Wake-on-LAN applications. The ICs also offer dual-level, dual-speed overcurrent fault protection and a user-programmable primary overcurrent filter to eliminate nuisance tripping. Separate MAIN and AUX overcurrent fault output signals and load card detection (present) switch inputs are also offered. Power will be delivered only when the module/card is fully inserted and power fault isolation allows an unaffected power rail(s) to remain active and accelerates debugging effort(s) when locating a faulty area(s) in the circuit. In addition, the ICs provide system management flexibility in offering either a latched or auto-retry option. The MAIN output rails of the MIC2342 shut down during an overcurrent fault on AUX for a given slot, whereas MAIN outputs of the MIC2341 are independent of an overcurrent fault occurring on AUX. Both ICs are available in RoHS compliant 48-pin TQFP Pb-free package. All options feature a 0-deg C to +70-deg C ambient temperature range.

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.

CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene,
Marketing Communications of Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276,
Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com
Web site: http://www.micrel.com
SOURCE: Micrel Inc.

COPYRIGHT © 2008 - ANTARANEWS