PR Newswire

    SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micrel Inc.
(Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications
and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC5232, a new 10mA LDO,
offering power saving features for extending battery life. The new IC is
ideally suited to provide stand-by power to memory and real time clocks
used in high-end mobile phones, PDAs, GPS, handheld
instrumentation/metering, and medical instrumentation, etc. The MIC5232 is
currently available in volume and pricing starts at $0.45 for 1K quantity.
    "Ultra-Low Quiescent Current LDOs (1uA-type) have been around for some
time," noted Ralf Muenster, Micrel's director of marketing for power
products. "However, most offer poor regulation, no protection circuitry and
cannot be back driven, making them ill-suited to today's consumer products.
The MIC5232 offers a lower input voltage and lower output voltage
capability, making it an ideal solution for a wide variety of portable
applications where saving battery power is crucial."
    The MIC5232 features ultra-low ground current of 1.2uA, typical. A
back-bias protection feature allows for external voltage that can be
supplied to the output of the MIC5232 without harm or excessive current
flow. This feature allows the MIC5232 to be used in a battery back-up
system where it regulates a coin cell while preventing reverse current to
the coin cell when a higher supply voltage is applied to the output of the
LDO. Additional protection features include thermal shutdown and current
limit. The input voltage range of the device is 2.7V to 7V which covers
3.3V and 5V bus and Li-Ion battery input voltage ranges. The MIC5232 is
available in fixed output voltages in a tiny 2mm x 2mm MLF(R)6-L and
TSOT-23-5 packages. The parts are qualified to the full industrial
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 trademark of Amkor Technology.