Date: 19/04/2010

Space saving 4 Amps buck-boost DC/DC converter IC for mobile devices

Texas Instruments has released the new TPS63020, step-down and step-up type DC/DC converter IC for space constrained battery operated hand held computing and media devices such as smartphones, portable medical equipment, pico projectors. TPS63020 is rated with maximum output current rating of 4-A and can touch 96 percent efficiency levels.

This power IC can handle the input voltage in the range of 1.8 V to 5.5 V. TI claims this device can achieve a complete DC/DC converter solution of 100 mm2, more than 60 percent smaller than the competition.

"Designers of handheld electronics continue to try to get more out of their batteries, especially now as they add wireless connectivity with higher data rates and more features to their handheld electronics," said Steve Anderson, senior vice president of TI's power management business unit. "Higher current buck-boost converters, such as the TPS63020, help manage the power in the most efficient, most effective way possible, in the smallest amount of board space."

The other features of 2.4 MHz operated TPS63020 includes, dynamic input current limit, power save mode and supports multiple batteries of both chargeable and non-chargeable including one-cell lithium-based or 2- or 3-cell Alkaline, NiCd or NiMH chemistries.

Package: 3-mm x 4-mm x 1-mm package

Availability: TPS63020 converter and a 3.3-V fixed output voltage version available now
Price: Each $2.50 in 1K pieces.