Date: 23/02/2010

Synchronous buck switching regulator from Microsemi for consumer electronics apps

Microsemi has extended its family of DC-to-DC controllers and switching regulators with the introduction of the NX9415, a new synchronous buck-switching regulator with built-in power functionality. The NX9415 is suitable for step-down DC-to-DC converter applications in LCD TVs, set-top boxes, DSL modems, netbooks, telecom, networking and other point-of-load DC-to-DC applications.

The NX9415 incorporates a 2MHz controller that supports an 8- to 22-volt input supply, plus two metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) with a low, 31-milliohm RDS (on) and deliver 5 amps of maximum current output. An internal 5-volt regulator, which provides the voltage supply to internal logic and a driver circuit, allows for single supply operation. The module operates from 200 kHz to 2.2 MHz and employs loss-less current limiting by sensing the RDS (on) of the synchronous MOSFETs.

Other key features of the NX9415 switching regulator are,

Include an internal boost Schottky diode
Adjustable frequency for circuit optimization
Adjustable over-current protection with Hiccup logic
Thermal shutdown capability, a 5-volt gate drive and adaptive deadband control
Internal digital soft-start capability
A 5-volt undervoltage lock-out and shutdown capability

Microsemi says that in addition to the NX9415, it plans to extend its switching regulator family to include both monolithic and multi-chip-module (MCM) products ranging from 1-amp to 8-amp output currents and input voltages of 5-volts to 18-volts, giving customers a broad portfolio of options.

"The NX9415 solves the problem of achieving up to 5 amps output current on an 8 to 22 volt bus using the smallest possible switching regulator with internal power FETs," said Amir Asvadi, Director of Marketing with Microsemi's Analog Mixed Signal Group.

"We continue to drive down the size and cost of high-output integrated power solutions using advanced MCM packaging, while also offering a growing family of monolithic controllers that work with our customers' choice of external power devices," Asvadi said. "The unique advantages of MCM DC-to-DC solutions as compared to monolithic solutions are especially significant in the 12-volt-and-higher voltage input range that, until now, required an external adaptor."

Package: 4mm x 4mm, 24-lead quad-flat no-lead (QFN) package
Price: Each at $0.50 in OEM volumes of 1,000
Availability: Now in samples

For more details visit www.microsemi.com