New Regulator IC Offers the World's Lowest Current Consumption

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 27 -- In response to the automotive industry's need to decrease stand-by current in feature-rich designs, Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* with its parent company, Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) today announced a 5 Volt (V) regulator integrated circuit (IC) which achieves a typical current consumption of 120 microamperes. Designated the TB9000F, the new regulator IC dramatically decreases battery strain and offers the world's lowest current consumption presently available to the automotive market.

``The increase in electronic components present in automobiles puts tremendous strain on car batteries, especially when a car is in park for long periods of time. This makes power consumption a serious issue for today's automotive manufacturers who are tasked with providing additional system features in a competitive market,'' said Rob Taylor, vice president for discrete, analog and peripheral ICs at TAEC. ``Toshiba's new regulator IC was designed to solve this problem by lowering current consumption, thereby allowing automobile manufacturers to retain the feature-rich functionality demanded by consumers without sacrificing battery life.''

Other regulator ICs available for this market achieve current consumption ranging from 200 microamperes to 400 microamperes by eliminating some functionality and referring to it as standby mode. In contrast, the TB9000F can achieve 120 microamperes with full functionality.

The TB9000F is a highly accurate regulator IC with various internal system reset functions including low-voltage reset, power-on reset and a watchdog timer. For systems not requiring a watchdog timer, the designer has the flexibility to turn the WS terminal on high and disable thewatchdog timer function. The device includes an adjustable current limiter with an external resistor and is able to supply high output with an external pass transistor.

Technical Specifications Part Number TB9000F Current Consumption 120 microamperes (typical) Output Voltage 5V +/- 0.15V Maximum Input Voltage 45V(1s) at 25 degrees C Operating Temperature -40 to +125 degrees C Package 16-pin SSOP

Pricing and Availability

Samples of Toshiba's low current consumption 5V regulator IC are available now priced at $1.50 each. Full production is scheduled to begin in 3Q 2002.

About TAEC TAEC offers the industry's broadest line-up of semiconductor, display and storage solutions for the computing, wireless, networking and digital consumer markets. Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings advanced next-generation technologies to its OEM customers.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America Inc., a subsidiary of the $47.9 billion (FY 2000 recorded sales) Toshiba, the second largest semiconductor company worldwide in terms of global sales for the year 2000. Toshiba is a world leader in high-technology products with more than 300 major subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's web site at chips.toshiba.com . For technical inquiries, please e-mail Tech.Questions@taec.toshiba.com.