Available in 2 x 2 mm MLF™-8L and thin SOT23-5L package options, the device is priced at $1.27 and $1.20, in 1K quantities, respectively. Lead-free options are also available.

"The MIC2291 is the answer for customers requiring more power from their LED drivers, but who don't have the board area to use a larger dc/dc converter," said Tony Grizelj, Micrel's marketing manager for power products. "The MIC2291 gives up to three times the current of competing white LED drivers while using just half the board area required by larger DC/DC converters."

Built using Micrel's proprietary in-house process, the MIC2291 features an internal 34V switch that can handle more than 1A of current. This combination of high voltage and high power allows the device to easily light up high current photo flash LEDs which are commonly used in camera phone and PDA applications. The highest level of protection is ensured with internal current limit, thermal shutdown, and output over voltage protection.

"More and more consumer products now require photo flash capability including the latest new cellular phones and PDAs," said Mark Lunsford, vice president of sales, Micrel. "In addition, customers want these new products in the smallest size possible creating footprint challenges for our customers. Micrel's MIC2291 is an economical new IC offering designers exceptionally high performance in an extremely tiny footprint."

Micrel Inc., is a leading manufacturer of advanced, high performance communications, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver, mixed signal, analog and power ICs. These products include devices for fiber-optic telecommunications and networking, cellular telephones, servers, portable computer systems, computer peripherals, process control systems, consumer electronics and power supplies.

Note: MLF is a trademark of Amkor Technology.