Micrel Introduces New Ultra-Low Dropout Regulator Featuring Ultra-Small MLF Package

Micrel Inc. launched the MIC5301, a tiny new ultra-low dropout (ULDO™) linear regulator. The chip is a single LDO offering an ultra-low dropout of 40mV@150mA, more than 75db Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR) and ultra-low output noise – all in an extremely compact form factor. The MIC5301 is offered in an ultra-small 1.6mm x 1.6mm 6-pin MLF® package. The MIC5301 is well-suited for cellular phones, RF power, camera modules, imaging sensors for digital still and video cameras, PDAs, portable media players (PMP) and PC cameras. The IC is currently available in volume, with pricing starting at $0.45 for 1K quantities for the 1.6 x 1.6 mm 6-pin Thin MLF® package.

"As battery voltages continue to drop in the vast majority of consumer products, maintaining high PSRR can present quite a challenge for designers," noted Ralf Muenster, Micrel's Director of Marketing for Power Products. "Micrel overcomes this by offering extremely low drop-out, preventing dropped calls and improving audio performance."

Micrel's new MIC5301 offers what the company claims is the industry's lowest dropout voltage for a single 150mA LDO, thereby enabling longer battery life for portable applications powered using a Li-Ion battery. The solution provides a bypass pin for additional noise filtering for those applications requiring even higher PSRR. The chip also provides exceptional thermal performance, a diminutive size and exceptional overall performance in a very compact form factor design.

The MIC5301 achieves excellent transient performance with the use of just one very tiny and inexpensive 1uF ceramic capacitor. Additionally, it features low quiescent current, fast turn-on time (30µsec), current limit and thermal shutdown protection and operates over a wide temperature range, from -40 to 125°C.