Microchip Technology Unveils Industry's First 1.5A LDO with Shutdown, User-Programmable Power Good and Bond-wire Compensation on Single Chip.

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- LDO is Ceramic Output-Capacitor Stable to Enable Smaller Designs at Lower Costs

Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, today announced the industry's first 1.5A LDO that incorporates shutdown, power good, programmable power good delay and bond-wire compensation, all on a single chip. The MCP1727 is a highly efficient, low-power LDO that provides high output current and low output voltage in small, thermally capable packages (8-pin SOIC or 3 mm x 3 mm DFN). With this combination of features, the MCP1727 is ideally suited for powering a variety of high-performance embedded processors and next-generation logic cores.

The push for smaller-geometry processing technology has created a new class of advanced CPUs and logic cores that require higher operating currents and lower core voltages. With output voltage down to 0.8V and output current up to 1.5A, the MCP1727 is equipped to power these types of systems. The device's dropout voltage of 300 mV (typical) at full load current provides a low voltage differential, and its quiescent current of 140 microamperes (typical) enables low power consumption during regulation. Additionally, the MCP1727 offers a shutdown feature that enables it to be controlled by system control logics, and ceramic output-capacitor stability leads to smaller, more efficient and cost-effective designs.

"Because of the push for higher-performance processors in embedded systems, our customers continuously need cost-effective LDOs that provide low output voltages and high output currents in small, thermally-efficient packages," said Qi Deng, senior product marketing engineer with Microchip's Analog and Interface Products Division. "Today's most advanced embedded processors require features such as shutdown, user-programmable power good, and fast, accurate output-voltage regulation to ensure system performance. The MCP1727 meets all of these demands, and enables customers to achieve maximum design goals with minimum financial investment."

The MCP1727 also has an output voltage sense feedback pin that is used for bond wire compensation. This allows the device's bond wire to compensate for output voltage changes, enabling faster, more accurate output voltage regulation. The power good output with user-programmable delay gives designers the flexibility to program system delays across a wider timeframe, for a more broad range of system applications. Its adjustable output voltage feature helps to reduce customer inventory levels.

Applications for the MCP1727 include high-performance embedded processors and next-generation logic cores like those found in computer applications (PC motherboards, add-in cards, graphics processor cards); consumer applications (game consoles, liquid crystal display (LCD) projection devices, high-end television devices, digital set-top boxes); as well as industrial and power-supply applications (switch-mode power supply (SMPS) post-regulators and automated control).

Development Tools

Microchip offers the MCP1726 1A LDO Evaluation Board (Part #MCP1726EV) that can be used to support development using the MCP1727. The board enables designers to evaluate the MCP1727 with the power good output, shutdown input and power good delay features. It is available for $30 today at www.microchipdirect.com.

Pricing and Availability

The MCP1727 is available for sampling and volume production today at http://sample.microchip.com and www.microchipdirect.com, respectively. The MCP1727 is $1.26 each in 10,000-unit quantities for the 8-pin SOIC package, and $1.34 each in 10,000-unit quantities for the 3 mm x 3 mm, 8-pin DFN package.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip's Web site at www.microchip.com/MCP1727.

Microchip Customer Support

Microchip is committed to supporting its customers by helping design engineers develop products faster and more efficiently. Customers can access four main service areas at www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way to get questions answered; the Sample area offers free evaluation samples of any Microchip device; microchipDIRECT provides 24-hour pricing, ordering, inventory and credit for convenient purchasing of all Microchip devices and development tools; finally, the Training area educates customers through webinars, sign-ups for local seminar and workshop courses, and information about the annual MASTERs events held throughout the world.

About Microchip Technology

Microchip Technology Inc. is a leading provider of microcontroller and analog semiconductors, providing low-risk product development, lower total system cost and faster time to market for thousands of diverse customer applications worldwide. Headquartered in Chandler, Ariz., Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip Web site at www.microchip.com.

Note: The Microchip name and logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.

Note to Editors: Photo and circuit diagram available through editorial contact.

Keywords:
Semiconductor Applications: Consumer; Set-top box
Semiconductor Applications: Consumer; Television; Digital TV/HD/SD
Semiconductor Applications: Industrial/Instrumentation; Factory
 Automation
Semiconductor Applications: Computer/Peripheral; Display Monitors; LCD
Semiconductor Applications: Computer/Peripheral; PC Hardware