Low-Side MOSFET Driver in Ultra-Small Four-Pin Package

Micrel, Inc. introduced the MIC4414/15, two low-side MOSFET drivers designed to switch an N-Channel enhancement-mode MOSFET in low-side applications. The devices are ideal for switch-mode power supplies, solenoid drivers and motor-driver applications. The MIC4414/15 are currently available in volume, and pricing starts at $0.43 for 1K quantity.

These new low-side MOSFET drivers deliver, starting with what may be the smallest package available - a 4-pin Thin QFN package. Also added is a sufficiently wide supply voltage range that addresses 5V, 12V and 15V power buses, high drive current capability, faster MOSFET switching speeds and lower thermal resistance - all to allow faster frequency of operation.

The MIC4414/15 series features a tiny 4-pin 1.2mm x 1.2mm thin QFN package and a 4.5 to 18V operating supply voltage range. It can sink and source peak currents up to 1.5A (3.5Ω output resistance at 18V and 9 Ω output resistance at 5V) and is capable of switching a 1000pF load in 12ns. Operating at a low steady-state supply current, the devices feature 77µA control input low and 445 µA control input high. The device operates at -40°C to +125°C junction temperature range.