Microchip Technology Inc, a leading provider of microcontroller, analog and Flash-IP solutions, has announced the RE46C190 3V photo smokedetector IC with horn driver and boost regulator. The world's first smoke-detector IC to offer low-voltage operation with programmable calibration and operating modes, the RE46C190 IC enables the desired operating modes to be selected and calibrated during manufacturing. This simplifies smoke-detector design and manufacturing, and reduces component count, and cost. Additionally, the IC's low operating current of 8 microamperes typical enables up to 10 years of operation from a single Lithium battery. Two alkaline batteries may also be used to power the RE46C190.