Micrel, Incorporated

Robert P Wolbert

James Copland Moyer

Lawrence R Sample

A digital value on a plurality of control input terminals of a PCMCIA power multiplexer integrated circuit determines which one if any of a plurality of power input terminals (for example, 12 volts, 5 volts, and 3 volts) is coupled through the integrated circuit to a power output terminal. A decoder which decodes the digital value prevents any two of the power input terminals from being coupled to the power output terminal at the same time. The decoder is programmable so that a single power multiplexer integrated circuit die layout can support a variety of PCMCIA controllers outputting different digital values. The integrated circuit has current limit, controlled power turn on times, and overtemperature protection. A signal indicative of a fault condition (for example, an overtemperature or a current limit condition) is output onto a fault output terminal of the integrated circuit.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Robert P Wolbert