Date: 03/11/2008

96% efficient, DC-DC buck converter supplies 600mA at very low voltages

The AS1324 from Austria Microsystems offers 96% efficiency together with low quiescent current while delivering output voltages down to 0.6V. The AS1324 delivers up to 600mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V, which makes the device ideal for single Li-Ion cell or triple AA cell applications. The 100% duty cycle capability for low dropout allows maximum energy to be extracted from the battery. The fixed output voltage versions 1.2V, 1.5V and 1.8V of AS1324 require no external voltage dividers reducing board space requirements. The adjustable variant allows an externally set output voltage in the range of 0.6V to VIN. AS1324 offers a 100nA typical shutdown mode combined with an output disconnect feature.

The AS1324 is available in a TSOT23 5-pin package and covers the industrial temperature range of -40 Deg C to +85 Deg C.