Freescale Packs Power Into Next Generation Portable Devices; MPC18730 Power Management IC Minimizes Power Consumption for Battery Powered Consumer Products

AUSTIN, Texas--Oct. 2, 20056, 2005--Freescale Semiconductor is extending its power management IC (PMIC) line with the MPC18730 PMIC for portable audio and video applications. The ultra-low, 0.9V minimum operating voltage and low power consumption extends battery life -- making the MPC18730 ideal for battery powered systems such as portable media players.

"The name of the game in portable consumer devices today is battery life, battery life and more battery life," said Stephanie Guza, analyst for In-Stat. "Low-voltage designs enable longer battery life and are critical for semiconductor manufacturers that compete in this space."

The MPC18730 minimizes power consumption by using two DC-DC converters to generate the main supply voltages and three series regulators for the auxiliary rails. All five supplies are digitally controlled with digital-to-analog converters (DACs), through a serial interface. The serial interface also controls multiple power save modes, such as sleep, wake-up and on/off, making the MPC18730 ideal for long-life portable electronics.

The MPC18730 operates from either a single cell Li-Ion (2.7V to 4.2V input range) or a single cell Ni-MH or alkaline cell (0.9V to 2.2V input range).

"With a minimum operating voltage of 0.9V, it's possible to operate a portable device with just one battery, ultimately reducing the size of the device or extending the use," said Demetre Kondylis, general manager for Freescale's Sensors & Analog Products Division. "Designers and consumers can benefit from product miniaturization, increased portability and expanded battery life."

The MPC18730 uses SMARTMOS(TM) technology and integrates all functions into a single chip and small 9x9mm 64QFN package, making it an all-in-one product for power management -- conserving space and perfect for portable applications.

Product Features:

-- 0.9V to 2.2V or (2.7V to 4.2V operation)

-- 2 DC-DC converters

-- 3 linear low drop regulators

-- Standby supply current: 5 microamps

-- Serial interface sets supply voltages

-- Multiple wake-up, start-up, shutdown and sleep modes

-- Low Profile 64-lead 9mm x 9mm x 1.0mm QFN

-- Variable regulator output voltage with internal DAC

-- Selectable one Ni-MH/alkaline cell or one Li-Ion cell operation

-- Wake-up through external key inputs with 0.9V operating voltage

Development Support, Price and Availability

The MPC18730 is now in production. The suggested resale price for 10,000-piece quantities is $2.49 (USD). For more information on the MPC18730, visit www.freescale.com/files/pr/mpc18730.html.

About Freescale Semiconductor

Freescale Semiconductor Inc. is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking and wireless markets. Freescale became a publicly traded company in July 2004 after more than 50 years as part of Motorola Inc. The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has design, research and development, manufacturing or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale, a member of the S&P 500(R), is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2004 sales of $5.7 billion (USD). www.freescale.com

Reader Inquiry Response:

Freescale Semiconductor

P.O. Box 17927

Denver, CO 80217 USA

Freescale(TM) and the Freescale logo are trademarks of Freescale Semiconductor Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. (C) Freescale Semiconductor Inc. 2005.