Micrel Releases MIC5159 LDO Regulator Controller

Micrel Semiconductor (San Jose, CA) announced its new MIC5159 low-dropout (LDO) regulator controller that drives the latest generation of low-voltage DSPs, micro-controllers and logic ICs. With an external, p-channel MOSFET, the MIC5159 forms a two-chip, ultra-low dropout regulator capable of providing a wide range of output currents.

Designed to power high-performance, distributed power applications, the IttyBitty SOT-23-6 controller requires little headroom to provide a well-regulated supply of 1.5V, 1.8V or 2.5V for digital ICs. The device’s headroom, or dropout voltage, is limited only by the RDS(on) of the external MOSFET. Additional features of the MIC5159 include fast transient response; regulation over variation of line, load and temperature; and user-programmable current limit. A member of Micrel’s family of uCap LDOs, the MIC5159 requires only one ceramic output capacitor for stability.

Pricing for the MIC5159 starts at $1.70 for quantities of 1,000. Samples are available, and production quantities are stock to eight weeks ARO.