Power-One and Micrel Introduce Z-One™ Compatible Solution for Low Current Applications

Power-One Inc. and Micrel Inc. jointly announced the availability of the Z-One™ compatible solution for low-current applications. The solution is based on Micrel's MIC68000 family of linear regulators that are now interoperable with Z-One™ Point of Load converters (POLs) and ZM7300 digital power managers.

By combining ZM7300's ability to control analog devices and the advanced power management capabilities of MIC68200, Micrel's first LDO in this family, the companies have created a true open architecture-solution that allows customers to: manage sequencing of multiple outputs with delays that are programmable via the industry standard I2C bus; provide closed loop turn-on and turn-off tracking between Z-One™ POL converters and Micrel MIC68200 linear regulators with user-programmable slew rates; implement event-based cascading of multiple outputs; generate the system reset signal with programmable delay; and execute elaborate fault management and interrupt schemes to offer users a higher degree of system control and flexibility.

Micrel's MIC68200 is a 2A low dropout regulator, which operates from a wide input range of 1.65 to 5.5V and is designed specifically for powering demanding loads in networking, telecom, and computing applications. The MIC68200 is currently available in volume and pricing starts at $1.63 for 1K quantities.

William T. Yeates, Chief Executive Officer of Power-One, commented, "This is a result of synergy between Power-One's know-how in digital power management and Micrel's expertise in high performance linear regulators. It further demonstrates how Power-One's Z-One™ technology provides customers with an open-architecture solution for managing all power in a system. The solution is cost-effective and addresses customers' needs for advanced power management at sub-2A current levels. This substantially increases the serviceable market for Z-One™ technology. The initial feedback from customers is very encouraging. We look forward to further collaborating with Micrel on this and other products."

"Micrel's new LDO integrates seamlessly with Z-One™ Digital Power Architecture," noted Ralf Muenster, Micrel's Director of Marketing for Power Products. "The MIC68200 eliminates the need to buy higher-priced, higher-current analog POL converters to implement advanced power management features such as sequential tracking or ratiometric power up and power down. It saves customers both money and development time, as it combines the low cost of linear regulators with programmability and the performance of Z-One™ POLs."