Micrel enables “world’s smallest” load switch with highest current for maximum mobile features
(Technology News, 20 Jun 2008 )
Micrel has 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.
Micrel’s innovative version of MLF package technology extends battery life by greatly reducing the on-resistance (RDSON) 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 insures capacitive loads are automatically discharged whenever the main switch is in an OFF state.
