Date: 05/07/2012

Diodes introduces miniature overvoltage clamp for protecting portable applications

Diodes Incorporated has introduced an overvoltage clamp for the protection of power management ICs (PMIC) in portable applications. The AP9060 device is offered in a form factor of 1.1 x 1.4 x 0.8 mm W-DFN1114-3 package. The device is suitable for the latest generation battery-backed products including smart phones, tablets and ultra mobile PCs.

The device supports a wide battery charger output range of 3V to 30V and it passes the voltage through to the PMIC only up to a safe clamp voltage limit, factory set at 11V. The feedback loop maintains the clamped output voltage level by backing off the drive to its p-channel MOSFET switch. The device with a low bias current minimizes self-heating and increase product reliability.

The use of a low resistance p-channel MOSFET as the pass element in the device ensures that any EMI issues are removed. This is achieved by avoiding noise generation on the input supply circuit normally associated with the charge pump of alternative n-channel MOSFET solutions.

The device supports reverse-current operation, permitting it to pass up to a maximum of 1A from the PMIC to a load connected to a USB port. Hence the device meets the needs of USB On-The-Go (OTG) enabled products.