Low-Dropout Regulator powers processor cores.

Micrel Semiconductor, Inc. May 08, 2002

Press Release Summary:

MIC49150 1.5 A dual supply LDO is capable of output voltages down to 0.9 V and responds instantly to any abrupt change in load current. It supports input voltage as low as 1.4 V and features thermal shutdown, current limit protection, and ability to use ceramic output capacitors. Transient response is 10 MHz GBW and dropout is 500 mV at 1.5 A. Regulator is available in MSOP-8 and S-Pak packages. Unit is suitable for PC graphics cards and power supplies.

Original Press Release:

Ultra-Fast Low-Dropout Regulator Power Low-Voltage Processor Cores Down to 0.9V

Ideal for powering high speed, low-voltage DSPs, microcontrollers, digital logic

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- (March 5, 2002) - Providing a well-regulated supply for next-generation processor cores, the first of a new family of ultra-low output voltage, high-current low-dropout regulators (LDOs) is now available from Micrel Semiconductor
(NASDAO: MCRL), an industry leader in power management and high-speed communication ICs.

Capable of output voltages down to 0.9V, the MIC49150 is a 1.5A dual supply LDO that responds instantly to any abrupt change in load current. The main supply to the device requires only 500mV headroom, or dropout voltage, under worst case conditions
to maintain proper regulation, while a second, higher voltage provides bias voltage to the control circuit.

The MIC49150 supports an input voltage as low as 1.4V, allowing for high efficiency conversion from low voltage, high current power rails. Other MIC49150 features include thermal shutdown, current limit protection and uCap stability -- the ability to use ceramic output capacitors. As a uCap regulator, the MIC49150 only requires a luF ceramic output capacitor for stability and is highly tolerant of any capacitance used on its output.

"With a gain bandwidth of up to 10MHz, the key feature of the MIC49150 is its ultra-fast transient response, which allows the device to respond quickly to fast dynamic load changes in PC graphics card, communication and networking applications," said
John McGinty, senior product marketing engineer. "The MIC49150 provides a simple, low-cost and efficient solution."

Available in Micrel's new thermally enhanced MSOP-8 and S-Pak packages, the MIC49150 is priced at $2.00 when purchased in a quantity of 1,000. Samples are available now, and production quantities are stock to 8 weeks ARO.

Summary of Features & Applications:

MIC49150 Ultra-Fast Low-Dropout Regulator



Features

- 1.5A peak output capability in MSOP-8 package

- 1.5A continuous output capability in S-Pak

- Ultra-fast transient response: 10MHz GBW

- Ultra-low dropout: 500mV @ 1.5A (over temperature)

- Fixed 0.9V, 1.5V, 1.8V, and adjustable (down to 0.9V) outputs

- Wide input range:

    Vin: 1.4V to 6.5V

    Vbias: 3.0V to 6.5V

- Stable with only 1uF ceramic output capacitor


- Logic enable input


- Fully protected:

    Current limit

    Thermal shutdown

- Junction temperature range: -40 degC to +125 degC



Applications

- PC graphics cards

- Power supply for computers and communication systems

- High-efficiency linear power supplies

Micrel Semiconductor is a leading manufacturer of advanced, high performance communications, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver, mixed signal, analog and power ICs. These products include devices for fiber-optic telecommunications and networking, cellular telephones, servers, portable computer systems, computer peripherals, process control systems, consumer electronics and power supplies.