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Micrel Goes the Distance, First to Market With 1.2V Output, Programmable Equalization for CML Product Family

New 1.2V, 1.8V and 2.5V Ultra-Low Voltage CML Devices Power Up Data Distribution Applications With Ultra-Low Voltage

Micrel Inc., (NASDAQ: MCRL), an industry leader in analog, high bandwidth communications, and Ethernet IC solutions, today launched seven new products belonging to the Company's new Ultra-Low Voltage CML product family, the SY56xxx. This family consists of buffer, fanout buffers, multiplexer, and crosspoint switches. They operate up to 6.4Gbps and come in 1.2/1.8/2.5V Ultra-Low Voltage options. Targeted applications include data distribution for driving high-speed backplanes, rack-based equipment, Telecom/Datacom, Automatic Test Equipments, HD Video Broadcast, Data Storage, and Servers. All devices are currently in volume production with pricing for 1K quantities starting at $6.00 per device. Evaluation boards are available upon request. Samples can now be ordered on line on Micrel's web site at: http://www.micrel.com/ProductList.do.

"Recently, many customers have emphasized the need for an equalization feature on ultra-high speed products," noted Thomas S. Wong, vice president high bandwidth products, Micrel. "Our new solutions not only provide superior signal quality and very low jitter, but also are ideal for applications driving long traces and backplanes. These features also make the ICs perfect for today's high speed demands, which include low-noise and the need to interface and drive low voltage FPGAs and ASICs."

All the devices come with 6.4Gbps frequency. The SY56011R (1:2 Fanout buffer), the SY56017R (2:1 multiplexer), the SY56023R (2 x 2 Crosspoint switch), the SY56020R (1.4 Fanout buffer), and the SY56216R (dual channel buffer) come in a 3mm x 3mm, 16-pin MLF® package. The SY56034AR is a 2 x 2 Crosspoint switch with six outputs and comes in a 5mm x 5mm, 32-pin MLF® package. Finally, the SY56040AR is a 4 x 4 Crosspoint switch offered in a 7mm x 7mm, 44-pin MLF® package. All the products in this family operate up to or above 4.5GHz.

The 1.2V operation allows a power reduction of up to 50 percent. These products can compensate for signal attenuation over long traces and backplane. AC performance is guaranteed from DC through 6.4 Gbps, with rise and fall times less than 85ps for all products. The product family guarantees jitter performance to be less than 10psp-p over temperature and voltage, and operation over the full industrial temperature range (-40-degC to +85-degC). The core supply is at 2.5V, while the output power can be 1.2V, 1.8V, or 2.5V, depending upon the application. The Equalization feature on a low voltage product gives designers a unique combination for driving inexpensive and low quality FR4 traces. Moreover, the product family offers Micrel's patented 3-pin internal input termination, which simplifies designs and interfaces to any differential signal, AC- or DC-coupled. The devices are offered in ultra-small MLF® packages which save critical space and improve signals.

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.

Note: MLF is a registered trademark of Amkor Technology.