Siliconix offers a new low-dropout regulator that allows the use of either ceramic 2.2-mF capacitors or tantalum capacitors on the input and output in power conversion designs. Intended to provide power to the signal processing components in digital cell phones, the new Vishay Siliconix Si9182DH improves performance over previous-generation ICs. At its maximum continuous output current of 250 mA, dropout voltage is 180 mV. Line-and-load transient response is less than 2ms, allowing the Si9182Dh to be used with fast slew-rate DSPs and microcontrollers. With an input range of 2 V to 6 V, the Si9182DH is compatible with single or multi-cell battery packs in cell phones, communicators, Web phones, PDAs, DSCs, notebook PCs, and portable instruments. A range of adjustable output voltages from 1.8 V to 5 V is available.