25 August 2011

Microchip closes $750m credit agreement

Microchip Technology Inc of Chandler, AZ, USA, a provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions as well as power amplifiers based on indium gallium phosphide/gallium arsenide (InGaP/GaAs) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology, has executed a new $750m unsecured credit agreement with a group of lenders. The agreement has an option to increase the amount available to $1bn and has a five-year term. JP Morgan Securities and Wells Fargo Securities served as joint bookrunners and joint lead arrangers for the transaction.

Loans under the new facility are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. “Microchip’s strong execution and business model have allowed us to put this revolving line of credit in place under very favorable terms,” says president & CEO Steve Sanghi. “The facility provides us with additional flexibility to pursue our business objectives.”

Microchip launches compact RF power amplifier for 5GHz Wi-Fi 

Microchip has made available samples of the new SST11CP15 RF power amplifier for 5GHz IEE 802.11a/n WLAN embedded applications.

The InGaP/GaAs-based device operates in the 4.9–5.9GHz band, and offers a wide operating voltage of 3.3–5V. The SST11CP15 features a high linear output power of 18dBm at 2.5% EVM, using 802.11a OFDM 54Mbps at 3.3V, and 20dBm at 5.0V, and offers an output power of 23dBm at mask compliance of 6Mbps, at 3.3V.

Offered in a compact, 2mm x 2mm x 0.55mm, 12-pin QFN package, the device suits 5GHz WLAN applications where small size and high-efficiency operation are required, such as in wireless multimedia and MIMO applications for broadband gateway and consumer-electronics equipment.

Microchip says that the SST11CP15 meets the needs of designers who need to reduce DC current consumption in portable multimedia and MIMO applications. With its high power-added efficiency, the device reduces battery current drain and extends battery operation, the firm claims. Its 4.9–5.9GHz linear operation enables 802.11a/n operation and increases data rates, while its small size suits space-constrained applications.

“With the addition of the SST11CP15 to Microchip’s Wi-Fi power amp portfolio, Microchip now offers reliable, high-efficiency operation across the 5GHz band,” says Daniel Chow, VP of the Radio Frequency Division. “This meets customer demand for a broad portfolio of reliable RF power amps, with high power-added efficiencies.”

Developers can begin designing with the SST11CP15 Evaluation Board (part # 11CP15-QUBE-K), available via any Microchip sales representative.

The SST11CP15 RF power amplifier is available for $0.66 each, in 10,000-unit quantities.

Tags: Microchip Technology InGaP/GaAs HBT

Visit: www.microchip.com