Automotive Qualified High Brightness LED Driver IC Reduces Complexity and Cost in Automotive Lighting Apps

SAN JOSE, CA, Jul 25 (MARKET WIRE) --
Micrel Inc. (NASDAQ: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth
communications and Ethernet IC solutions, today rolled out the MAQ3203,
an AEC-Q100 version of the MIC3203. This new step-down High Brightness
LED (HBLED) driver IC reduces the complexity and cost of high current LED
driver solutions in automotive lighting applications. The MAQ3203 is
currently available in volume quantities, with 1Ku pricing starting at
$1.50. Samples can now be ordered at:
http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do.

"LED-based lighting is gaining popularity in automotive applications with
both LED makers and LED light engine designers in need of more robust,
efficient solutions that enable OEMs to realize the full benefits of
energy-efficient LEDs," noted Doyle Slack, senior marketing director for
Analog. "By integrating the core functions critical to automotive LED
lighting, the MAQ3203 driver IC offers a compact all-in-one solution that
requires few additional components, enabling more cost-effective, elegant
and reliable LED module designs."

The MAQ3203 is capable of driving multiple HBLEDs in series at more than
90 percent efficiency with +/-5 percent current accuracy from input
voltages of 4.5V to 42V. With its hysteretic control architecture and
high-side current sense scheme, the device provides an ideal solution to
drive the HBLEDs with constant current. The MAQ3203 operating frequency
is adjustable up to 1.5MHz which allows flexibility in the design and
offers a frequency dithering feature to mitigate EMI. The IC features a
dedicated PWM dimming pin, an enable pin for very low power shutdown,
over temperature protection and an under voltage lockout. The MAQ3203 has
an external power switch and requires no external compensation. The
MAQ3203 is available in a SOIC-8L package.

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
1-408-474-1276
Julie.DiBene@Micrel.com

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