Intersil Introduces Point-Of-Load Power Regulator

Intersil has introduced a compact, scalable power module, which provides designers with a general-purpose power solution that satisfies a range of point-of-load (POL) power requirements. The ISL8200M is a 10A, integrated POL regulator in a surface-mount QFN package, which includes a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controller, power Mosfets, a power inductor and associated discrete components. It is suitable for a range of applications in the computing, telecommunications and networking infrastructure, as well as in industrial markets.

The ISL8200M's highly integrated construction makes it simple to design a high-performance POL regulator, according to the company. Constructing a high-performance POL regulator with the ISL8200M is fast; all the user needs is input and output capacitors, a few support components and a single resistor to program the output voltage. The ISL8200M minimises the risk of product delays; the user just drops it on the board and it works.

Its compact 15 x 15mm package does not consume much area on the printed circuit board (PCB). With its thin 2.2mm profile, the ISL8200M can be mounted on the back side of the PCB, where space is typically free. Today, designers must use different power solutions depending on the output current demands. The ISL8200M enables a single solution covering less than 10-60A. This simplifies inventory by allowing a single part to satisfy a range of POL regulator applications.

The ISL8200M accepts input voltages from 3V to 20V and supports output voltages from 0.6V to 6V. A patented current-sharing architecture allows up to six modules to be paralleled for a total output current of 60A. Remote voltage sensing also assures precise regulation, even in low-voltage, high-current applications. Intersil claims that a programmable and synchronisable switching frequency allows designers to optimise efficiency and control switching noise in noise-sensitive systems.

An enable pin and a power-good indicator can be used to sequence modules to meet FPGA and processor power sequencing requirements. The ISL8200M is assembled in a thermally enhanced surface-mount QFN package with leads around the perimeter. This provides for reliable soldering, solder quality inspection and easy access with oscilloscope probes. The ISL8200MIRZ is available now in a 23-lead QFN package, with prices starting at USD15.86 (GBP9.82) each in 1,000-piece quantities.

Fisher Regulator Ensures Low-Noise Gas Delivery

Emerson has added the Fisher EZHSO Regulator and Whisper Trim Cage options to the EZH and EZHSO Series. The EZHSO design incorporates a spring cartridge that offers a fail-to-open alternative, ensuring gas delivery and maximising uptime. The Whisper Trim technology provides efficient noise prevention at the source, while the cage can be easily retrofitted in the field.

The Type EZHSO and EZHSO-OSX (slam-shut) regulators are available in 1, 2 and 3in sizes and provide the same benefits as Emerson's Fisher Type EZH regulators. This includes a 103bar (1500psig) inlet/outlet rating to meet higher system requirements and an environmentally friendly, no-bleed design that eliminates emissions for higher-pressure pipelines.

Top-entry maintenance reduces the time and expenses required for training, installation and maintenance, and the bubble-tight shutoff reduces cost of ownership by precisely regulating high-pressure transmission lines, providing consistent reliability of gas delivery and shutoff. The Whisper Trim cage option is available for 2, 3, and 4in sizes, opening a broader application range for this series.

It can achieve noise reduction of 10 - 20dB(A) depending on the application. As a source treatment, the Whisper Trim technology uses multiple orifices of special size, shape, and spacing, which reduces noise-producing interactions and offers a better alternative than path treatment or buried service. Units already installed can be easily retro-fitted with a Whisper Trim cage.

LT3070 Linear Regulator Has Low Dropout Voltage

The LT3070 is a digitally programmable Linear regulator said to have the lowest dropout voltage, lowest noise and fastest transient response of any monolithic 5A LDO currently available. Dropout voltage at 5A is 85mV and output voltage noise at 5A is 25uVRMS over a 10 to 100kHz bandwidth. The LT3070's 1MHz unity-gain bandwidth, coupled with its minimum 15uF ceramic output capacitance, provides 30mV of overshoot/undershoot in response to a 4.5A output load step, saving bulk capacitance, space and cost.

It is suitable for efficiently powering low-voltage, high-current devices such as FPGAs, DSPs, ASICs, microprocessors, sensitive communication supplies, server/storage devices and post-buck regulation applications. The LT3070's output voltage is digitally programmable from 0.8 to 1.8V in 50mV increments. Accuracy is tightly specified at +/-1 per cent over line, load and temperature. A digital margining feature can adjust system output voltage in increments of +/-1, +/-3 or +/-5 per cent, said to be advantageous during a system development debug.

A Powergood flag indicates if output voltage is in regulation or the device is in UVLO and the flag also provides an early warning indication of a thermal fault. The LT3070's input supply-voltage range is 0.95 to 3.0V and its bias supply voltage ranges from 2.2 to 3.6V. The bias supply provides gate drive to the internal NMOS pass device. Multiple LT3070 devices can be easily paralleled for higher output current and to spread heat across a PCB.

A tracking feature can control a buck regulator powering the LT3070's input. This tracking function drives the upstream buck regulator to maintain the LT3070's input voltage at VOUT + 300mV, minimising power dissipation. If output voltage is dynamically changed, the tracking function automatically adjusts the output voltage of the buck regulator to maintain efficiency. Internal protection circuitry includes UVLO, reverse-current protection, precision current limiting with power foldback and thermal shutdown with hysteresis. The LT3070 is offered in a thermally enhanced, low-profile (0.75mm) 28-lead 4 x 5mm QFN package and both E and I grades operate from -40 to 125C junction temperature range.

Synchronous Buck Regulator Has Constant Frequency

Linear Technology has announced a high-reliability, MP-grade version of the LTC3412A. The LTC3412A is a high-efficiency, 4MHz synchronous buck regulator that uses a constant frequency, current-mode architecture. It can deliver up to 3A of continuous output current at voltages as low as 0.8V from a thermally enhanced TSSOP-16 package.

It operates from an input-voltage range of 2.25 to 5.5V, making it suitable for single-cell Li-ion or NiMH applications and more general-purpose, fixed-rail systems. The MP-grade version is guaranteed to operate over a -55 to 125C junction temperature range. The LTC3412AMP is suitable for high-reliability applications that can experience a very wide ambient temperature range. The LTC3412AMPFE is available in a TSSOP-16E package.

Aimtec Offers Surface-Mount Switching Regulator

Aimtec has expanded its family of non-isolated, DC-DC switching regulator series with a surface-mount (SMD) version of the step-down switching regulators. Designed in a compact SMD package (15.24mm x 11.82mm x 7.25mm) to support automated assembly, the AMSRL-78-NZ series is suitable for low-profile circuit implementations such as portable- and standby-power applications. Versatile for a number of industrial applications, the AMSRL-78-NZ series is designed to operate at full output power without heatsinking or forced-air cooling below +71C and with output power derating up to +85C.

With four models featuring adjustable output voltages, ranging from 1.8VDC to 15.5VDC, the AMSRL-78-NZ series produces maximum output currents of 500mA at efficiency rates of up to 96 per cent, with low output ripple and noise (25mV p-p) for noise-sensitive applications. Ultra-wide input ranges (up to 6:1) extend from 4.75VDC to 28VDC and allow the products to be powered from unregulated sources. Other features include continuous short-circuit protection on the output and thermal shutdown for added protection in overheating conditions.

The AMSRL-78-NZ input specifications also feature a remote on/off function, which conforms to TTL logic levels. Priced at USD5.60 (GBP3.40) per 1,000+ pieces, the AMSRL-78-NZ series is made with high-quality, RoHS-compliant materials that undergo rigorous quality control to ensure reliability and performance. Samples are available from stock and can be ordered immediately.

Linear Offers LTC3569 Synchronous Buck Regulator

Linear Technology's LTC3569 is a triple-channel, high efficiency 3MHz synchronous buck regulator. It delivers 1.2A of continuous output current from one channel and 600mA from each of the other two channels. Using a constant frequency current-mode architecture, the LTC3569 operates from an input voltage range of 2.5 to 5.5V, making it ideal for single-cell Li-Ion/polymer or multicell alkaline/NiCad/NiMH applications.

Each of the three output-voltages are independently programmable by lowering the feedback voltage of each channel from 800 to 425mV (in 25mV increments) by toggling the EN pin, enabling dynamic adjustment of each channel's output voltage. Additionally, each of the 600mA regulators can act as slave power stages to each other or to the 1.2A channel to support higher currents, providing additional design flexibility.

The LTC3569's switching frequency can be programmed between 1 and 3MHz or set at 2.25MHz, enabling the designer to optimise efficiency while avoiding critical noise-sensitive frequency bands. The combination of its 3 x 3mm QFN-20 (or TSSOP- 16E) package and high switching-frequency keeps external inductors and capacitors small, providing a compact and thermally efficient footprint.

The LTC3569's internal synchronous switches offer efficiencies as high as 95 per cent, while burst mode operation minimises quiescent current to 100uA (all three channels) in no-load conditions. For applications demanding the lowest possible noise, the LTC3569 can run in a pulse skipping mode to minimise output ripple.

The LTC3569 offers a power-good indicator and is synchronisable to an external clock (1.2 to 3MHz). Other features include internal compensation, over-temperature and short-circuit protection. The LTC3569EUD is available in a 3 x 3mm QFN-20 package and the LTC3569EFE is offered in a 16-lead thermally enhanced TSSOP package. Industrial grade versions, the LTC3569IUD and LTC3569IFE, are tested and guaranteed to operate to the -40C to +85C operating junction temperature.

Step-Down Regulator Gives 97 Percent Efficiency

Austriamicrosystems has introduced the AS1339 step-down regulator. High efficiency and tiny packaging make the AS1339 ideal for multiband WCDMA/NCDMA applications, such as cellular handsets, wireless PDAs and smart phones. The AS1339 delivers up to 650mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V, making the device ideal for single Li-Ion cells. To improve battery lifetime, low-power RF amplifiers can scale the output power dynamically by changing its supply voltage.

To support this, the output voltage of the AS1339 is dynamically controlled using an external analogue input signal. Additionally, the extremely fast 30us settling time of the output voltage ensures CDMA-specifications are not exceeded. The AS1339 is housed in a 2 x 2mm WL-CSP. It is designed for minimal space requirements in size-restricted battery-powered applications such as mobile phones and other portable wireless end equipment.

The 2MHz fixed switching frequency minimises the PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny low-profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low predictable output noise, which is also reduced by the internal noise-reduction circuitry. With 97 per cent peak efficiency, the AS1339 boosts battery lifetime in any application. Supporting 1.1A of peak current, the integrated 110m Ohm bypass FET provides maximum power with minimum dropout under even low-battery conditions. The AS1339 enters bypass mode automatically during high power transmissions. The AS1339 also integrates two 10mA low-noise, high-PSRR LDOs, making them ideal for PA biasing.

Each LDO features a separate enable, provides high output-voltage accuracy and requires only 10nF of output capacitance. If the supply is not required, for example in mobile phone in-flight modes, the AS1339 offers a 100nA shutdown mode combined with an output-disconnect feature. Additional features are soft start and safety features such as current overload and thermal shutdown protection. The AS1339 is available in the tiny 2 x 2mm WL-CSP 16-bumps, which covers the industrial temperature range of -40C to +85C.

V-Infinity Releases Surface-Mount Regulator

V-Infinity, a division of CUI Europe, has announced the release of the V78XX-500-SMT series, a surface-mount version of its 0.5A V78XX-500 DC switching regulator. The V78XX-500-SMT is said to offer efficiencies of up to 96 per cent and is designed to be a high-performance alternative to linear regulators.

Unlike linear regulators, the V78XX-500-SMT series does not require a heat sink, making it suitable for applications where board space is at a premium and energy efficiency is a concern. The V78XX-500-SMT series measures 15.24mm x 8.50mm x 7mm. A wide input range is available from 4.5 to 28V DC and regulated output voltages of 3.3, 5, 12, and 15V DC are offered.

Output current is 500mA with an operating temperature range of -40 to +71C at 100 per cent load, derating to 60 per cent load at 85C. The converters offer short-circuit protection, thermal shutdown, very low ripple and noise (10mV p-p typical), and an MTBF of two million hours. The V78XX-500-SMT series switching regulators are available now through Digi-Key.

L-O-X Combines Filter, Regulator & Lockout Valve

Ross Controls has introduced the Modular L-O-X valve air-entry combination. Combining three elemental products into one (filter, regulator and lockout valve), this pre-engineered modular design consolidates multiple functions into a single space-saving and easy-to-service assembly.

Ross created the Modular L-O-X valve for packaging, conveyor panels and material-handling applications. It complies with ANSI/PMMI B.155.1 - 2006 and ANSI B11.GSR standards. It has a full-size exhaust port and a verification port for visible pressure-release indication (pop-up or pressure switches are optional). The L-O-X conforms to OSHA lockout requirements.

It is easy to operate and is lockable only in the 'off' position. The L-O-X is also suitable for air-entry applications. Beyond this new L-O-X/filter/regulator assembly, Ross is also offering air-entry packages for Cat-2, -3, and -4 applications for design flexibility. The Cat-2 design utilises a sensing valve, while the Cat-3 and -4 designs utilise a DM1 Series E double valve and DM2 Series E double valve (respectively) for control reliability.