MIC37300/01/02/03
3.0A, Low-Voltage µCap LDO Regulator
Super ßeta PNP is a registered trademarks of Micrel, Inc.
Micrel Inc. • 2180 Fortune Drive • San Jose, CA 95131 • USA • tel +1 (408) 944-0800 • fax + 1 (408) 474-1000 • http://www.micrel.com
October 2009 1 M9999-102909
General Description
The Micrel MIC37300/01/02/03 is a 3.0A low-dropout
linear voltage regulator that provides a low-voltage,
high-current output with a minimum number of external
components. It offers high precision, ultra-low-dropout
(500mV overtemperature), and low-ground current.
The MIC37300/01/02/03 operates from an input of
2.25V to 6.0V. It is designed to drive digital circuits
requiring low-voltage at high currents (i.e., PLDs, DSP,
microcontroller, etc.). It is available in xed and
adjustable output voltages. Fixed voltages include 1.5V,
1.8V, 2.5V and 3.3V. The adjustable version is capable
of 1.24V to 5.5V.
Features of the MIC37300/01/02/03 LDO include
thermal and current-limit protection, and reverse-current
protection. Logic enable and error ag pins are available
on the 5-pin version.
Junction temperature range of the MIC37300/01/02/03
is from–40°C to +125°C.
For applications requiring input voltage greater than
6.0V, see the MIC3910x, MIC3915x, MIC3930x, and
MIC3950x LDOs.
Data sheets and support documentation can be found
on Micrel’s web site at www.micrel.com.
Features
3.0A minimum guaranteed output current
500mV maximum dropout-voltage overtemperature
Ideal for 3.0V to 2.5V conversion
Ideal for 2.5V to 1.8V, 1.65V, or 1.5V conversion
Stable with ceramic or tantalum capacitor
Wide input voltage range
VIN: 2.25V to 6.0V
+1.0% initial output tolerance
Fixed and adjustable output voltages:
– MIC37300—3-pin xed voltages
MIC37301—5-pin S-Pak or 8-pin e-Pad SOIC
xed voltages with ag
MIC37302—5-pin adjustable voltage
MIC37303—8-pin e-Pad SOIC adjustable
voltage with flag
Excellent line and load regulation specications
Thermal shutdown and current-limit protection
Reverse-leakage protection
Low prole S-Pak package
Applications
LDO linear regulator for low-voltage digital IC
PC add-in cards
High-efciency linear power supplies
SMPS post regulator
Battery charger
Typical Application
VOUTVIN
GND
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
MIC37300
VIN = 3.0V VOUT = 2.5V
VOUTVIN
ADJ
GND
VEN
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
R1
R2
1.3V
MIC37302
V
IN
CIN
Fixed 2.5V Regulator Adjustable Regulator
Micrel, Inc. MIC37300/01/02/03
October 2009 2 M9999-102909
VOUTVIN
FLG
GND
VEN
COUT
47µF, Ceramic
100k
MIC37301
VIN = 3.0V VOUT = 2.5V
CIN
Fixed 2.5 Regulator with Error Flag
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
DROPOUT (mV)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Dropout vs.
Output Current
2.5VOUT
3.3VOUT
Ordering Information
Part number
Standard RoHS Compliant* /
Pb-Free
Output
Current Voltage Junction Temp. Range Package
MIC37300-1.5BR MIC37300-1.5WR* 3.0A 1.5V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-3
MIC37300-1.65BR MIC37300-1.65WR* 3.0A 1.65V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-3
MIC37300-1.8BR MIC37300-1.8WR* 3.0A 1.8V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-3
MIC37300-2.5BR MIC37300-2.5WR* 3.0A 2.5V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-3
MIC37300-3.3BR MIC37300-3.3WR* 3.0A 3.3V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-3
MIC37301-1.5YME 3.0A 1.5V –40°C to +125°C e-Pad SOIC-8
MIC37301-1.5BR MIC37301-1.5WR* 3.0A 1.5V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-5
MIC37301-1.8YME
3.0A 1.8V –40°C to +125°C e-Pad SOIC-8
MIC37301-1.8BR MIC37301-1.8WR* 3.0A 1.8V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-5
MIC37301-2.5YME
3.0A 2.5V –40°C to +125°C e-Pad SOIC-8
MIC37301-2.5BR MIC37301-2.5WR* 3.0A 2.5V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-5
MIC37301-3.3BR MIC37301-3.3WR* 3.0A 3.3V –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-5
MIC37302BR MIC37302WR* 3.0A ADJ –40°C to +125°C S-Pak-5
MIC37302BU MIC37302WU* 3.0A ADJ –40°C to +125°C TO-263-5
MIC37303YME
3.0A ADJ –40°C to +125°C e-Pad SOIC-8
* RoHS compliant with ‘high-melting solder’ exemption.
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Pin Configur ation
S-PAK-5 (R) S-PAK-3 (R)
5 FLG/ADJ
4 VOUT
3 GND
2 VIN
1EN
1GND
EN
VIN
VIN
8 FLG
VOUT/ADJ
VOUT
VOUT
7
6
5
2
3
4
TO-263-5 (U) e-Pad SOIC-8 (ME)
Pin Description
Pin Number
S-PAK-5
TO-263-5
Pin Number
S-PAK-3 Pin Number
e-Pad SOIC-8
Pin Name
Pin Function
1 2 EN
Enable Input : CMOS compatible input. Logic high = enable;
Logic low = shutdown.
2 1 3, 4 VIN
Input voltage which supplies current to the output power
device.
3 2 1 GND Ground: TAB is connected to ground.
5, 6, 7 (Fixed) 4 3
5, 6 (Adj.) VOUT Regulator Output.
5 (Fixed) 8 FLG
Error Flag (Output): Open collector output. Active-low
indicates an output fault condition.
5 (Adj.) 7 ADJ
Adjustable Regulator Feedback Input: Connect to resistor
voltage driver.
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Absolute Maximum Ratings(1)
Supply Voltage (VIN) ............................................. 6.5V
Enable Input Voltage (VEN)(3)................................ 6.5V
Power Dissipation (PD)(3) .................. Internally Limited
Junction Temperature (TJ).......... –40°C TJ +125°C
Storage Temperature (TS).......... –65°C TJ +150°C
Lead Temperature (soldering, 5sec)..................260°C
ESD Rating(4)..........................................................2kV
Operating Ratings(2)
Supply Voltage (VIN).................................2.25V to 6.0V
Enable Input Voltage (VEN)............................0V to 6.0V
Junction Temperature (TJ) ...........–40°C TJ +125°C
Package Thermal Resistance
S-Pak (θJC) .................................................. C/W
TO-263-5 (θJC)............................................. C/W
e-Pad SOIC-8 (θJC) ................................... 10°C/W
Electrical Characteristics(5)
TA = 25°C with VIN = VOUT + 1V; VEN = VIN; IL = 10mA; bold values indicate –40°C < TJ < +125°C, unless noted.
Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Units
IL = 10mA -1 +1 % Output Voltage Accuracy
10mA < IOUT < IL(max), VOUT + 1 VIN 6V -2 +2 %
Output Voltage Line Regulation VIN = VOUT + 1.0V to 6.0V; IL = 10mA 0.02 0.5 %
Output Voltage Load Regulation IL = 10mA to 3A 0.2 1 %
IL = 1.5A
(e-Pad SOIC-8)
175
350
400 mV
VIN – VOUT Dropout Voltage(6)
IL = 3A
(e-Pad SOIC-8)
300
500
550 mV
Ground Pin Current(7) IL = 3A 27 40
50 mA
mA
Ground Pin Current in Shutdown VIL 0.5V, VIN = VOUT +1V 1.0 5 µA
Current Limit VOUT = 0V 4.75 6.5 A
Start-up Time VEN = ViN, IOUT = 10mA, COUT = 47µF 170 500 µs
Enable Input
Regulator enable 2.25 V Enable Input Threshold
Regulator shutdown 0.8 V
VIL 0.8V (Regulator shutdown) 2
4 µA
µA
Enable pin Input Current
VIH 2.25V (Regulator enable) 1 15 30
75 µA
µA
Flag Output
IFLG(LEAK) V
OH = 6V 1
2 µA
µA
VFLG(LO) VIN = 2.25V, IOL = 250µA(8) 210 400
500 mV
mV
Low Threshold, % of VOUT below nominal 93 %
Hysteresis 2 %
VFLG
High Threshold, % of VOUT below nominal 99.2 %
MIC37302 Only
Reference Voltage 1.228
1.215 1.240 1.252
1.265 V
V
Adjust Pin Bias Current 40 80
120 nA
nA
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Notes:
1. Exceeding the absolute maximum rating may damage the device.
2. The device is not guaranteed to function outside its operating rating.
3. PD(max) = (TJ(max) – TA) / θJA, where θJA, depends upon the printed circuit layout. See “Applicatins Information.”
4. Devices are ESD sensitive. Handling precautions recommended.
5. Specification for packaged product only.
6. VDO = VIN – VOUT when VOUT decreases to 98% of its nominal output voltage with VIN = VOUT + 1V. For output voltages below 1.75, dropout voltage
specification does not apply due to a minimum input operating voltage of 2.25V.
7. IGND is the quiescent current. IIN = IGND + IOUT.
8. For a 2.5V device, VIN = 2.250V (device is in dropout).
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Typical Characteristics
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
PSRR (dB)
FREQUENCY (kHz)
Power Supply
Rejection Ratio
IOUT =3A
COUT =47µF
CIN =0
VIN =2.5V
VOUT =1.5V
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
PSRR (dB)
FREQUENCY (kHz)
Power Supply
Rejection Ratio
IOUT =3A
COUT =100µF
CIN =0
VIN =2.5V
VOUT =1.5V
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
DROPOUT (mV)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Dropout vs.
Output Current
2.5VOUT
3.3VOUT
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
DROPOUT (mV)
TEMPERATURE(°C)
Dropout vs.
Tempetature
2.5VOUT
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(1.5V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(2.5V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
INPUT VOLTAGE (V)
Dropout Characteristics
(3.3V)
3A Load
10mA Load
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
OUTPUT CURRENT (A)
Ground Current
vs. Output Current
0
0.0001
0.0002
0.0003
0.0004
0.0005
0.0006
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Curren
t
vs. Supply Voltage (1.5V )
100mA
10mA
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (1.5V)
3A
2A
1A
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (2.5V)
100mA
10mA
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (2.5V)
3A
2A
1A
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October 2009 7 M9999-102909
Typical Characteristics (continued)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (3.3V)
100mA
10mA
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
012345
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Ground Current
vs. Supply Voltage (3.3 V)
3A
2A
1A
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
GroundCurrent
vs. Temperature
IOUT =10mA
2.5VOUT
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Ground Current
vs. Temperature
IOUT =1.5A
2.5VOUT
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
GROUND CURRENT (mA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Ground Current
vs. Temperature
IOUT =3A
2.5VOUT
2.4
2.45
2.5
2.55
2.6
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
OUTPUT VOLTAGE (V)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Output Voltage
vs. Temperature
2.5VOUT
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
5.5
6
2.25 3 3.75 4.5 5.25 6
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (A)
SUPPLY VOLTAGE (V)
Short-Circuit Current
vs. Supply Voltage
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
SHORT CIRCUIT CURRENT (A)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Short-Circuit Current
vs. Temperature
2.5VIN
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4
FLAG VOLTAGE (V)
FLAG CURRENT (mA)
Flag Voltage
vs. Flag Current
5VIN
3.3VIN
2.5VIN
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
FLAG VOLTAGE (mV)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Flag Low V oltage
vs. Temperature
Flag Current = 250µA
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000 10000
FLAG VOLTAGE (V)
Error Flag P ull-U p Resi stor
Flag Low (FAULT)
Flag High (OK)
VIN =5V
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
-40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120
ENABLE CURRENT (µA)
TEMPERATURE (°C)
Enable Current
vs. Temperature
2.5VEN
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October 2009 8 M9999-102909
Functional Characteristics
TIME (400µs/div.)
OUTPUT CURRENT
(3A/div.)
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
(50mV/div.)
VIN = 3.3V
VOUT = 2.5V
COUT = 47µF Ceramic
Load Transient Response
10mA
3A
TIME (100µs/div.)
INPUT VOLTAGE
(2V/div.)
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
(50mV/div.)
COUT = 47µF Ceramic
Line Transient Response
3.3V
5V
TIME (40µs/div.)
ENABLE VOLTAGE
(2V/div.)
OUTPUT VOLTAGE
(1V/div.)
IOUT = 3A
VIN = 3.3V
COUT = 47µF
Enable Transient Response
2.5V
Micrel, Inc. MIC37300/01/02/03
October 2009 9 M9999-102909
Applications Information
Enable/Shutdown
The MIC37300/01/02/03 is a high-performance low-
dropout voltage regulator suitable for moderate to
high-current regulator applications. Its 500mV dropout
voltage at full load and over-temperature makes it
especially valuable in battery-powered systems and
as high-efciency noise lters in post-regulator
applications. Unlike older NPN-pass transistor
designs, there the minimum dropout voltage is limited
by the based-to-emitter voltage drop and collector-to-
emitter saturation voltage, dropout performance of the
PNP output of these devices is limited only by the low
VCE saturation voltage.
A trade-off for the low dropout voltage is a varying
base drive requirement. Micrel’s Super ßeta PNP®
process reduces this drive requirement to only 2% to
5% of the load current.
The MIC37300/01/02/03 regulator is fully protected
from damage due to fault conditions. Current limiting
is provided. This limiting is linear; output current
during overload conditions is constant. Thermal
shutdown disables the device when the die
temperature exceeds the maximum safe operating
temperature. The output structure of these regulators
allows voltages in excess of the desired output
voltage to be applied without reverse current ow.
Thermal Design
Linear regulators are simple to use. The most
complicated design parameters to consider are
thermal characteristics. Thermal design requires the
following application-specic parameters:
Maximum ambient temperature (TA)
Output current (IOUT)
Output voltage (VOUT)
Input voltage (VIN)
Ground current (IGND)
First, calculate the power dissipation of the regulator
from these numbers and the device parameters from
this datasheet.
P
D = (VIN – VOUT) IOUT + VIN IGND
where the ground current is approximated by using
numbers from the “Electrical Characteristics” or
“Typical Characteristics.” Then the heat sink thermal
resistance is determined with this formula:
θSA = ((TJ(max) – TA)/ PD) – (θJC + θCS)
Where TJ(max) < 125°C and θCS is between 0°C and
2°C/W. The heat sink may be signicantly reduced in
applications where the minimum input voltage is
known and is large compared with the dropout
voltage. Use a series input resistor to drop excessive
voltage and distribute the heat between this resistor
and the regulator. The low-dropout properties of
Micrel’s Super ßeta PNP® regulators allow signicant
reductions in regulator power dissipation and the
associated heat sink without compromising
performance. When this technique is employed, a
capacitor of at least 1.0µF is needed directly between
the input and regulator ground.
Refer to “Application Note 9” for further details and
examples on thermal design and heat sink
applications.
Output Capacitor
The MIC37300/01/02/03 requires an output capacitor
for stable operation. As a µCap LDO, the
MIC37300/01/02/03 can operate with ceramic output
capacitors as long as the amount of capacitance is
47µF or greater. For values of output capacitance
lower than 47µF, the recommended ESR range is
200m to 2. The minimum value of output
capacitance recommended for the MIC37300 is 10µF.
For 47µF or greater, the ESR range recommended is
less than 1. Ultra-low ESR, ceramic capacitors are
recommended for output capacitance of 47µF or
greater to help improve transient response and noise
reduction at high frequency. X7R/X5R dielectric-type
ceramic capacitors are recommended because of
their temperature performance. X7R-type capacitors
change capacitance by 15% over their operating
temperature range and are the most stable type of
ceramic capacitors. Z5U and Y5V dielectric capacitors
change value by as much as 50% and 60%,
respectively, over their operating temperature ranges.
To use a ceramic chip capacitor with Y5V dielectric,
the value must be much higher than an X7R ceramic
capacitor to ensure the same minimum capacitance
over the equivalent operating temperature range.
Input Capacitor
An input capacitor of 1.0µF or greater is
recommended when the device is more than 4 inches
away from the bulk supply capacitance, or when the
supply is a battery. Small, surface-mount chip
capacitors can be used for the bypassing. The
capacitor should be place within 1" of the device for
optimal performance. Larger values will help to
improve ripple rejection by bypassing the input to the
regulator, further improving the integrity of the output
voltage.
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October 2009 10 M9999-102909
Transient Response and 3.3V to 2.5V, 2.5V to 1.8V
or 1.65V, or 2.5V to 1.5V Conversions
The MIC37300/01/02/03 has excellent transient
response to variations in input voltage and load
current. The device has been designed to respond
quickly to load current variations and input voltage
variations. Large output capacitors are not required to
obtain this performance. A standard 47µF output
capacitor, preferably tantalum, is all that is required.
Larger values help to improve performance even
further.
By virtue of its low-dropout voltage, this device does
not saturate into dropout as readily as similar NPN-
based designs. When converting from 3.3V to 2.5V,
2.5V to 1.8V or 1.65V, or 2.5V to 1.5V, the NPN-
based regulators are already operating in dropout,
with typical dropout requirements of 1.2V or greater.
To convert down to 2.5V without operating in dropout,
NPN-based regulators require an input voltage of 3.7V
at the very least. The MIC37300/01/02/03 regulator
will provide excellent performance with an input as low
as 3.0V or 2.25V, respectively. This gives the PNP-
based regulators a distinct advantage over older,
NPN-based linear regulators.
Minimum Load Current
The MIC37300/01/02/03 regulator is specied
between nite loads. If the output current is too small,
leakage currents dominate and the output voltage
rises. A 10mA minimum load current is necessary for
proper operation.
Error Flag
The MIC37301 and MIC37303 feature an error ag
circuit that monitors the output voltage and signals an
error condition when the voltage is 5% below the
nominal output voltage. The error ag is an open-
collector output that can sink 10mA during a fault
condition.
Low output voltage can be caused by a number of
problems, including an overcurrent fault (device in
current limit) or low input voltage. The ag is
inoperative during overtemperature shutdown.
Enable Input
The MIC37301/02/03 also features an enable input for
on/off control of the device. Its shutdown state draws
“zero” current (only microamperes of leakage). The
enable input is TTL/CMOS compatible for simple logic
interface, but can be connected up to VIN. When
enabled, it draws approximately 15µA.
Adjustable Regulator Design
IN
R1
VOUT
VIN
COUT
R2
EN
OUT
ADJ
GND
MIC37302
ENABLE
SHUTDOWN
V 1.240V 1 R1
R2
OUT =+
Figure 1. Adjustable Regulator with Resistors
The MIC37302 and MIC37303 allow programming the
output voltage any-where between 1.24V and the
5.5V maximum operating rating of the family. Two
resistors are used. Resistors can be quite large, up to
1M, because of the very high input impedance and
low bias current of the sense comparator. The resistor
values are calculated by:
= 1
1.240
V
R2R1 OUT
Where VOUT is the desired output voltage. Figure 1
shows component denition. Applications with widely
varying load currents may scale the resistors to draw
the minimum load current required for proper
operation (see above).
Micrel, Inc. MIC37300/01/02/03
October 2009 11 M9999-102909
Package Information
1θ
θ1
3θ
4θ
1θ
2θ
3θ
4θ
2θ
1θ
5-Pin TO-263-5 (U)
5-Pin S-PAK (R)
Micrel, Inc. MIC37300/01/02/03
October 2009 12 M9999-102909
3-Pin S-PAK (R)
8-Pin SOIC (ME)
Micrel, Inc. MIC37300/01/02/03
October 2009 13 M9999-102909
MICREL, INC. 2180 FORTUNE DRIVE SAN JOSE, CA 95131 USA
TEL +1 (408) 944-0800 FAX +1 (408) 474-1000 WEB http:/www.micrel.com
The information furnished by Micrel in this data sheet is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Micrel for
its use. Micrel reserves the right to change circuitry and specifications at any time without notification to the customer.
Micrel Products are not designed or authorized for use as components in life support appliances, devices or systems where malfunction of a
product can reasonably be expected to result in personal injury. Life support devices or systems are devices or systems that (a) are intended for
surgical implant into the body or (b) support or sustain life, and whose failure to perform can be reasonably expected to result in a significant
injury to the user. A Purchaser’s use or sale of Micrel Products for use in life support appliances, devices or systems is a Purchaser’s own risk
and Purchaser agrees to fully indemnify Micrel for any damages resulting from such use or sale.
© 2002 Micrel, Inc.