MILPITAS, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Sipex Corporation (NASDAQ: SIPX), a leading supplier of high performance, analog integrated circuits (ICs), further expands its family of buck regulators with the SP6659, a 600mA synchronous buck regulator. The device is designed to offer a cost effective, space saving solution for portable applications such as cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras and mp-3 players.

The SP6659 offers high efficiency over the full load range due to low on- resistance synchronous switches and pulse skipping operation at light loads. Pulse skipping not only improves light load efficiency, but also lowers output ripple, thus reducing possible interference with audio/RF circuitry. In shutdown, the part consumes a mere 1uA quiescent current enabling longer battery life in portable electronic equipment.

The SP6659 has internal loop compensation and the monolithic synchronous switches eliminate the need of an external schottky diode. 1.5Mhz, fixed frequency operation allows the use of small surface mount inductors and capacitors and enables a very compact solution footprint of a mere 5mm x 7mm.

The device also has a wide 2.5V to 5.5V input voltage range, which makes it ideal for single cell Li-Ion or 3-cell NiCd and NiMH applications. The 100% duty cycle operation results in a low dropout voltage and allows maximum energy to be extracted from the battery. Output voltage for the adjustable version of SP6659 can be programmed using two resistors to any value above the 0.6V internal reference voltage.

The SP6659 protects against output over-voltage, output short-circuit and over temperature conditions.

     SP6659 Key Features (Typical)

     *    94% Efficiency Possible
     *    600mA Output Current at VIN = 3V
     *    2.5V to 5.5V Input Voltage Range
     *    1.5MHz constant frequency operation
     *    No Schottky Diode Required
     *    Output Voltages as low as 0.6V
     *    Slope Compensated Current Mode
             Operation for Excellent Line and Load
             Transient Response
     *    100 % Duty Cycle in LDO Mode
     *    <1uA Shutdown Current, Quiescent
              Current of 300
     *    Over-temperature protected
     *    Offered in Low Profile TSOT-23 package

    Pricing and Availability

The SP6659 is available now starting at $1.47 in 1,000 piece quantities. The SP6659 is also available in fixed output voltage options with a 1.8V and 2.5V version being the first two products available. Samples and evaluation boards are also available. Datasheets and additional information on the SP6659 can be found at www.sipex.com

About Sipex Power Management Products

Power management ICs deliver key benefits to portable power and distributed power applications, providing better power efficiency, increased miniaturization and more power at lower voltage levels. This product group includes low dropout linear regulators, DC to DC switching regulators, LED drivers, PWM controllers, charge pumps and microprocessor supervisors. Applications for the Sipex power products include personal computers and peripherals, battery powered hand-held devices such as PDAs and cellular telephones, and data communications products.

About Sipex

Sipex Corporation is a semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and markets high performance, value-added analog integrated circuits (ICs). Sipex serves the broad analog signal processing market with interface, power management and optical storage ICs for use in automotive, portable products, computing, communications, and networking infrastructure markets. The company is headquartered in Milpitas, CA with additional offices in Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Taiwan and the UK. Sipex sells products direct and through its distribution channels. For more information about Sipex, visit www.sipex.com.

CONTACT: Chris Lee, Technical Marketing Manager, +1-408-934-7500, or fax,
+1-408-935-7600

Web site: http://www.sipex.com/