Vendors Collaborate On Digitally Controllable LDOs

Power-One and Micrel have announced availability of a 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 Power One’s Z-One Point of Load converters (POLs) and ZM7300 digital power managers. By combining the ZM7300’s ability to control analog devices and the advanced power management capabilities of Micrel’s MIC68200, the company’s first LDO in this family, the two 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.

In addition, the solution provides closed loop turn-on and turn-off tracking between Z-One POL converters and Micrel MIC68200 linear regulators with user-programmable slew rates. It also implements event-based cascading of multiple outputs and generates the system-reset signal with programmable delay. Finally, customers can execute elaborate fault management and interrupt schemes to offer users a higher degree of system control and flexibility.

Micrel’s MIC68200, is a 2-A low dropout regulator, which operates from a wide input range of 1.65 V to 5.5 V and is designed specifically for powering demanding loads in networking, telecom, and computing applications. The MIC68200 is currently available and pricing starts at $1.63 for 1000-unit quantities.