SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micrel Inc. , an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today rolled out a new family of 100V drivers designed to drive both high and low side N-channel MOSFETS in half bridge and synchronous buck topologies. These products are targeted for power supply applications in the server, networking, industrial, medical, automotive and avionic markets. The ICs are currently available in volume with pricing starting at $1.68 for 1,000 piece quantities.

"With voltages dropping and currents increasing, half-bridge and full- bridge configurations are quickly becoming the topology of choice in many applications," noted Ralf Muenster, Micrel's marketing director for power products. "Micrel's drivers are frequently used in these topologies and our MIC4100 family, with its improved performance and proven capability to reduce switching losses, is ideal for 24V and 48V bus applications."

The new family of ICs is rated for 3A and 2A sinking and sourcing peak currents and features rise and fall times as fast as 10 and 6ns combined with propagation delays of only 24ns. In addition, the devices offer a maximum supply voltage of 16V, an integrated bootstrap diode supporting a maximum voltage of 118V, a tight 3ns delay matching and UVLO protection. The MIC4100/01 feature dual independent inputs with symmetrical drivers while the MIC4103/4 support asymmetrical driving capabilities. The MIC4102 offers a simplified single input control with adaptive anti-shoot through technology optimizing switching transitions. All chips are sold in a compact SOIC-8 package option and come with a -40 to +125C junction temperature rating.

About Micrel, Inc.

Micrel Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of IC solutions for the worldwide analog, Ethernet and high bandwidth markets. The Company's products include advanced mixed-signal, analog and power semiconductors; high performance communication, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver ICs. Company customers include leading manufacturers of enterprise, consumer, industrial, mobile, telecommunications, automotive, and computer products. Corporation headquarters and state-of-the-art wafer fabrication facilities are located in San Jose, CA, with regional sales and support offices and advanced technology design centers situated throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. In addition, the Company maintains an extensive network of distributors and reps worldwide. Web: http://www.micrel.com/ .

CONTACT: Julieanne DiBene, Marketing Communications of Micrel Inc.,
+1-408-474-1276, or Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com

Web site: http://www.micrel.com/