Micrel Offers New Low-Side MOSFET Drivers in Ultra-Small Four-Pin Package

Micrel, Inc. introduced the MIC4414/15, two low-side MOSFET drivers designed to switch an N-Channel enhancement-mode MOSFET in low-side applications. The devices are ideal for switch-mode power supplies, solenoid drivers and motor-driver applications.

"Our customers need optimal efficiency at every level," noted Brian Hedayati, marketing vice president for the analog division at Micrel. "These new low-side MOSFET drivers deliver, starting with what may be the smallest package available -- a 4-pin Thin QFN package. To this we've added a sufficiently wide supply voltage range that addresses 5V, 12V and 15V power buses, high drive current capability, faster MOSFET switching speeds and lower thermal resistance -- all to allow faster frequency of operation. We've even provided both a non-inverting (MIC4414) and an inverting (MIC4415) version of the driver to eliminate the need for extra components," he added.

The MIC4414/15 series features a tiny 4-pin 1.2mm x 1.2mm thin QFN package and a 4.5 to 18V operating supply voltage range. It can sink and source peak currents up to 1.5A (3.5 ohm output resistance at 18V and 9 Ohm output resistance at 5V) and is capable of switching a 1000pF load in 12ns. Operating at a low steady-state supply current, the devices feature 77uA control input low and 445 uA control input high. The device operates at -40C to +125C-degrees junction temperature range.