LDO regulator powers low-voltage MPU cores

Micrel Inc. launched an ultra high-bandwidth, low-dropout, 5A voltage regulator for powering core voltages of low-voltage microprocessors.

The new IC is a follow-on higher current version of Micrel's MIC49150 (1.5A) and MIC49300 (3A) devices. It is aimed at ASIC core voltage regulators, PLD and FPGA core power supplies, linear point-of-load conversion, high-speed post-regulators, and network and telecom applications. "The MIC49500 offers a low input voltage range that allows for conversion from 1.5V and 1.8V rails down to low output voltages that are required by state-of-the-art ASICs," said Ralf Muenster, Micrel's director of marketing for power products. In addition, the MIC49500 responds instantaneously to any abrupt load step, allowing it to work with minimal output capacitance, he said.

The LDO regulator implements a dual supply configuration, which allows for very low output impedance and very fast transient response, according to Muenster. The MIC49500 requires a bias input supply and a main input supply, allowing for ultra-low input voltages on the main supply rail. The MIC49500 can regulate to an output voltage as low as 0.7V, for low-voltage to low-voltage conversion. Requiring a minimum of output capacitance for stability, the IC will work optimally with any type of capacitor, including small ceramic capacitors, Muenster said.

The regulator, available now in both fixed and adjustable voltage options, comes in both 7-pin S-Pak and TO-263 package options and is rated for the full industrial operating range. Pricing for the MIC49300 starts at $3.90 for 1,000-unit quantities.

- Bettyann Liotta
eeProductCenter