| Since its founding in 1978 as an independent test facility of integrated circuits, Micrel has maintained a reputation for excellence, quality and customer responsiveness that is second to none. In 1981 Micrel acquired its first independent semiconductor processing facility. Initially focusing on custom and specialty fabrication for other IC manufacturers, Micrel eventually expanded to develop its own line of semicustom and standard-product Intelligent Power integrated circuits. In 1993, with the continued success of these ventures, a new 57,000 square foot facility was acquired. This new Class 10 facility has allowed Micrel to extend its process and foundry capabilities with a full complement of CMOS/DMOS/Bipolar/NMOS/ PMOS processes. Incorporating metal gate, silicon gate, dual metal, dual poly and features sizes down to 1.5 micron, Micrel is able to offer its customers unique design and fabrication tools.
The ability to combine high-speed/high-density digital, precision, high-performance analog, and high-voltage/high-power devices all on the same monolithic circuit opened new frontiers in semiconductor design. One early example of this capability was the MPD8020 ASIS (Applications Specific Integrated System). This semicustom Intelligent Power Array allows users to economically design a proprietary IC by specifying the final interconnect pattern of an array of low-voltage analog and logic CMOS along with customized high-voltage PMOS and high-voltage DMOS power drivers。
As Micrel moved forward toward its goal of becoming an independent supplier of integrated circuits, it expanded its base by entering into agreements to second source products for some major manufacturers. Since then, Micrel has announced numerous proprietary lines of standard products including low-dropout regulators, MOSFET drivers, SMPS regulator and controller ICs, CardBus (PCMCIA card) power controller ICs, latched drivers, display drivers, and many others. |
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