Micrel Enables World's Smallest Load Switch With Highest Current For Maximum Mobile Features

The MIC94040/1/2/3 Series Targets High-End, Compact Portable Devices Requiring High Current

San Jose, Calif., June 16, 2008 — Micrel Inc., (Nasdaq:MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched the MIC94040/1/2/3, a new family of high side load switches featuring breakthrough packaging technology. The chips are aimed at a wide variety of high-end portable, battery powered consumer devices, including smart/feature phones, personal multimedia and navigation, and Ultra Mobile PCs (UMPCs). The MIC94040/1/2/3 are currently available in volume quantities with pricing starting at $0.34 for 10K quantities. Samples can now be ordered on line on Micrel’s web site at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do .

“Advanced feature convergence in today’s small handheld battery powered devices requires the power system to control many higher current supply rails and at the same time, provide the smallest possible solution,” said Andy Khayat, director of Micrel’s portable product group. “Micrel’s unique packaging technology employed by the MIC94040/1/2/3 family gives portable device designers the best solution for high current, space-constrained applications.”

Micrel’s innovative version of MLF ® package technology extends battery life by greatly reducing the on-resistance (R DSON) of the MIC94040/1/2/3 devices down to 28mohm . Also, superior thermal performance of the new package technology allows more than 3A continuous current from a tiny 1.2mm x 1.2mm package, enabling applications such as UMPCs to use the MIC94040/1/2/3 for high current circuits. Each device operates from 1.7V to 5.5V input and can be controlled with very low 1.5V logic due to a novel level shift circuitry that allows it to control higher voltage supplies. The MIC94040 and MIC94041 feature rapid turn on, while the MIC94042 and MIC94043 provide a slew rate controlled Soft-Start turn-on of 116µs (typical) to prevent in-rush current. In addition, the MIC94041 and MIC94043 feature an active load discharge circuit that ensures capacitive loads are automatically discharged whenever the main switch is in an OFF state.

“The MIC94040/1/2/3 family continues Micrel’s dominant lead in portable load switches by complementing the MIC9406x and MIC9407x product families,” noted Andy Cowell, vice president of marketing for Micrel’s analog product division. “The MIC9404x, the world’s smallest load switch family, enables the designer to select the lowest cost, smallest footprint solution, allowing for more compact and effective mobile designs .”

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. 

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Note: MLF is a registered trademark of Amkor Technology.

Contact:
Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications
1-408-474-1276
Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com