Date: 26/01/2010

National Semiconductor's switching power module replaces linear regulator

Analog and Power IC expert National Semiconductor has unveiled a switching type DC/DC converter power supply module which can be used as simple as linear regulator. The first three immediately available members of new SWITCHER power module family are LMZ10504, LMZ14203 and LMZ12003. National Semiconductor is planning to release more members of this family throughout year 2010.

These modules are suggested for use in powering complex logic chips such as processors microcontrollers, FPGAs, and ASICs used in complex boards in space-constrained and noise-sensitive electronics applications such as medical, broadcast video, communications, industrial, embedded systems and military applications. Both the devices are packed in a patent pending 7 pin TO-PMOD package with physical dimensions of 10.16 x 13.77 x 4.57 mm, which prevents RF noise emitted by the switching transients inside the module. With their LOW EMI emission both the modules meet the requirements of the EN55022 (CISPR22) Class B radiated emission standard.
SWITCHER family DC/DC converter modules generate less heat and can work without a heat sink. National says they typically operate as much as 10 degrees cooler than similar DC/DC power modules.

Pick and place machines recognize these modules as TO-263 packages in terms of lead pitch and size. Each module is pin-to-pin compatible with other family members, so that for any change in power and voltage requirements designers can replace devices easily without changing PCB design.

Other Key specifications and features:
Input Voltage Range:
LMZ10504: 2.95 to 5.5 V
LMZ12003: 4.5 to 20 V
LMZ14203: 6 to 42 V
Output current:
LMZ10504: 4 Amps
LMZ12003 and LMZ14203: 3 Amps
Output Voltage Range:
LMZ10504: 0.8V to 5V
LMZ12003 and LMZ14203: 0.8V to 6V
Power Efficiency: up to 96% (Provides high efficiency for a wide range of output current)
Has built-in shielded inductor
Flexible startup sequencing using external softstart, tracking, and precision enable.
Protection against inrush current, input UVLO and output short circuit.
Operating temperature range of -40 Deg C to 125 Deg C.

Availability: Now
Price:
LMZ10504: Each $7.10 for 500 pieces
LMZ12003: Each $7.25 for 500 pieces
LMZ14203: Each $9.50 for 500 pieces

To ease the power supply design, National Semiconductor offers online power supply design software called WEBENCH. The new expanded WEBENCH called WEBENCH Power Architect enable design engineers to rapidly create, model and implement multiple-output, high-performance DC-DC power supplies for an entire system. With WEBENCH Power Architect, system designers can instantly optimize multiple power supplies across several performance parameters including topology, intermediate voltage rails, footprint, efficiency, component count and bill of materials (BOM) cost.

"WEBENCH Power Architect is the first tool to make it easy to quickly design power supplies for all of the loads in a system," said Phil Gibson, vice president of Technical Sales Tools at National Semiconductor. "Depending on the tool's optimizer dial setting, a typical system with eight power loads will have a BOM count ranging from 50 to 150 components. This is the only tool that lets you instantly compare performance and cost for many alternative system combinations, and quickly implement them."

Using WEBENCH Power Architect's library of 21,000 components from 110 manufacturers, designers have a wide range of system alternatives for creating large scale complex systems:

System input sources (VIN) from 1V - 100V
Up-to-20 system loads (VOUT) from 0.6V - 300V
Power per load up to 300W
System efficiency greater than 90 percent
Per-supply footprints from 14 mm by 14 mm

When engineers finish "dialing-in" their preference for footprint, system BOM cost and power efficiency, National's WEBENCH Power Architect's graphical analysis capability instantly identifies major sources of power dissipation, cost and footprint area. It allows the user to edit individual power supplies and loads to further model and optimize the overall system for thermal and electrical performance design goals.

When the design is complete, the tool generates a system summary report including schematics, BOMs and electrical operating values. Multiple international distributors provide pricing and the WEBENCH "Build It!" feature offers complete BOM prototype kits with overnight shipping.

To know more about National's products visit www.national.com