Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (TAEC)* announces the creation of a new family of 200mA CMOS Low-Dropout Regulators (LDO). These new single-output regulators include a built-in control switch that features low-dropout voltage and low quiescent current. Developed by Toshiba Corp., the new TCR5SB series of CMOS LDO's has quiescent current that outperforms the existing Toshiba bipolar TAR5S series of regulators by 75 percent(1). These CMOS LDOs are designed for portable electronics, such as cellular phones, notebook PCs, digital audio products and similar devices, which require low noise and low power consumption.

Toshiba's new regulators feature output voltage range from 1.5V to 5.0V by per 0.1V step. Maximum output current is 200mA and over-current protection functionality is built in. Package sizes available include SMV (SOT23-5) (SC-74A), which measures 2.9mm x 2.8mm, and small capacitance ceramic capacitors can be used at input and output.

"These new CMOS low-dropout regulators represent the latest innovation from Toshiba and give designers important new flexibility," said Homayoun Ghani, business development manager, Logic and Small Signal Device/Discrete Business Unit for TAEC. "Their low-dropout voltage, low quiescent current, reduced power consumption and small packaging provide a new set of options for circuit design and improved performance of cellular phones and other portable equipment."

Pricing and Availability

Samples of selected new CMOS LDO are available now, and the MP products are anticipated to be available by second quarter. The devices range in price from $0.12 to $0.15 each in sample quantities.

Toshiba's Discrete Products

Since 1986, Toshiba Corp. has ranked as the top discrete supplier on a worldwide basis, based on annual revenue from international shipments of total discrete products. (Source: "2006 Worldwide Semiconductor Market Share Report," Gartner, released April 2007). More specifically, Toshiba is a leading supplier in a number of discrete product categories, including power transistors, rectifiers and thyristors, L-MOS logic, CMOS logic, optoelectronics, small signal diodes and transistors. The company's discrete devices are designed to meet the growing demand for high-performance and lower voltages in today's wireless telecommunications and consumer electronics applications, while emphasizing its strength in the automotive and industrial markets.

*About TAEC

Combining quality and flexibility with design engineering expertise, TAEC brings a breadth of advanced, next-generation technologies to its customers. This broad offering includes memory and flash memory-based storage solutions, a broad range of discrete devices, displays, medical tubes, ASICs, custom SOCs, microprocessors, microcontrollers and wireless components for the computing, wireless, networking, automotive and digital consumer markets.

TAEC is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corp. (Toshiba), Japan's largest semiconductor manufacturer and the world's fourth largest semiconductor manufacturer. In more than 130 years of operation, Toshiba has recorded numerous firsts and made many valuable contributions to technology and society. For additional company and product information, please visit TAEC's website at chips.toshiba.com.

(1) The quiescent current of the TCR5SB series is 75% or more lower than TAR5S based on a current reading of the TCR5SB series (CMOS LDO) of 40uA vs. the current reading of the TAR5S series (existing bipolar LDO) of 170uA.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook."