Microchip Technology Unveils Industry`s First Operational Amplifiers (Op Amps) with On-Chip, One-Shot Calibration Circuit

High-Speed (50 MHz) Op Amps Enable Extremely Low Offset and Drift
CHANDLER, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
Microchip Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MCHP), a leading provider of microcontroller
and analog semiconductors, today announced the world`s first and only op amps to
include mCal, an on-chip calibration circuit that calibrates offset voltage at
power-up using an internal power on-reset detector, or based upon the state of
an external pin. The result is a low initial voltage offset and a means to
minimize drift over time and temperature, which are extremely important for
applications involving instrumentation and sensor conditioning. The
high-bandwidth (50 MHz), low-power MCP651/2/5 (MCP65X) op amps provide low bias
and quiescent currents, high output-drive capability and a rail-to-rail output
for better performance across the entire operating-voltage range. This feature
set makes the op amps ideal for even the most demanding applications-including
those in the consumer, industrial and medical markets.

The MCP65X op amps feature a high output-drive current of 95 milliamperes, which
enables them to drive heavy loads and results in better performance across a
wide range of applications. With their rail-to-rail output, the op amps provide
greater dynamic range-even at lower operating voltages-for more accurate
performance across the entire operating-voltage range.

Susie Inouye, research director and principal analyst with Databeans, Inc.,
said, "Real-time control is gaining momentum in the electronics market,
resulting in a rejuvenation of demand for high-speed amplifiers. We expect
overall high-speed amplifier revenue to outpace the overall amplifier market,
growing at close to 10 percent on average annually each year for the next five
years. Microchip`s mCal technology provides customers with an innovative
precision and high-speed solution that can be calibrated in the field, allowing
greater flexibility and performance in equipment designs."

"The MCP65X is the industry`s first op amp family to feature an on-chip,
one-shot calibration circuit that is active upon power-up or controlled via an
external hardware pin," said Bryan Liddiard, vice president of marketing with
Microchip`s Analog and Interface Products Division. "This unique mCal feature
leverages Microchip`s expertise in both analog and digital to provide an
innovative solution for high-speed, high-precision applications."

Kevin Tretter, senior product marketing manager with Microchip`s Analog and
Interface Products Division, continued, "This new amplifier family is expected
to enable new markets for Microchip by expanding its CMOS op amp portfolio into
higher-speed applications."

Applications requiring high speed and precision are appropriate for the MCP65X
op amps. Examples include those in the Consumer Electronic(microphone
preamplifiers, optical detector circuitry, digital scales);
Industrial(instrumentation, H-bridge drivers, barcode scanners,
transmission-line drivers); and Medical markets (patient monitoring, ultrasound
equipment, instrumentation).

Development Support

Microchip also announced the MCP651 Evaluation Board (Part # MCP651EV-VOS)
today, to provide a simple means for measuring the MCP651 op amp`s input offset
voltage under a variety of conditions. The measured input offset voltage
includes the input offset voltage specified in the MCP651 datasheet, plus
changes due to power-supply voltage, common-mode voltage, output voltage, input
offset-voltage drift over temperature and 1/f noise. The board is priced at $30,
and is available today at http://www.microchipdirect.com.

Additionally, like all Microchip op amps, the MCP65X family is supported by the
FilterLab® Analog Filtering Software Tool and the Mindi Online Simulator Tool.
Available for free from Microchip`s Web site at
http://www.microchip.com/filterlab, the FilterLab Analog Filtering Software Tool
provides full schematic diagrams of the filter circuit with component values,
and displays the frequency responses. Also available for free, the interactive
Mindi Online Simulator Tool (http://www.microchip.com/mindi) enables designers
to quickly generate circuit diagrams, simulate circuits and specify passive
components for a variety of active-filter, amplifier and power-management
applications. Circuits developed using the Mindi tool can be downloaded to a PC
or workstation, and are often ported directly into system diagrams.

Op Amp Packaging, Pricing & Availability

The MCP651 op amp is available in an 8-pin SOIC package for $1.21 each, in
10,000-unit quantities. The MCP652 is also available in an 8-pin SOIC package
for $1.49 each in 10,000-unit quantities, and in a 3 x 3 mm DFN package for
$1.55 each in 10,000-unit quantities. The MCP655 is available in 10-pin MSOP and
3 x 3 mm DFN packages for $1.58 each in 10,000-unit quantities, for both package
options.

Samples can be ordered today at http://sample.microchip.com. Volume production
orders can be placed today at http://www.microchipdirect.com. For further
information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide
distributor, or visit Microchip`s Web site at http://www.microchip.com/mcp65x.

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 http://www.microchip.com. The Support area provides a fast way
to get questions answered; the Sample area offers 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. (NASDAQ: MCHP) 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 website at
http://www.microchip.com.

Note:The Microchip name and logo, and FilterLab are registered trademarks of
Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. Mindi is a
trademark of Microchip Technology Inc. in the U.S.A. and other countries.All
other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective
companies.

**Photos and Block Diagram available through editorial contact, or Flickr:

Product Photo
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3529106738/sizes/l/

Block Diagram
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3528304377/sizes/l/

Photo of MCP651 Evaluation Board
http://www.flickr.com/photos/microchiptechnology/3528314463/sizes/l/**

Tags / Keywords: op amp, auto-calibration, Microchip Technology, MCHP, analog,
linear, low offset, low drift, high-speed, 50 MHz, MCP651, MCP652, MCP655,
MCP65X, mCal, MCP651EV-VOS

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Microchip Technology Inc., Chandler
Editorial Contact:
Michelle Ragsdale, 480-792-4111
michelle.ragsdale@microchip.com
Reader/Literature Inquiries:
1-888-MCU-MCHP
http://www.microchip.com/mcp65x

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