Date: 25/10/2012

6 MHz, 650mA DC/DC converter from NXP offers low ripple of 7 milli-volts

NXP Semiconductors N.V. has announced its state-of-the-art DC6M DC/DC switching regulator family featuring a 6-MHz frequency, an ultra-low output voltage ripple performance of 7 mV, and efficiency up to 95 percent. The DC6M family supports up to 650 mA supply current in a small wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP6), measuring 1.36 x 0.96 x 0.47 mm. With an input voltage range from 2.3 to 5.5 V, the new DC/DC converters are suitable for battery-driven portable devices such as smartphones, as well as other consumer devices.

With a typical output voltage ripple of only 7 mV, the DC6M family (including the DC6M4, DC6M5 and DC6M6) reduces disturbances to the output voltage signal caused by the switching mechanism, thus allowing a stable signal and enhancing energy efficiency. In addition, the high switching frequency of 6 MHz allows the usage of SMD inductors as small as 470 nH in a flat 0805 package size (available with heights as small as 0.8 mm), further decreasing the space needed in the design. To illustrate, a typical smartphone application area occupied by a step-down converter and its surrounding components can be reduced by 40 percent when using a 6-MHz DC/DC converter, instead of a 3-MHz alternative. Further, the DC6M buck converter supports the ability to disable the device, which reduces the quiescent current down to 0.2 µA.

“DC/DC switching regulators offer built-in efficiency advantages over other voltage regulators. Providing best-in-class performance in a very flat package, our DC6M step-down regulators open exciting new possibilities for engineers in designing sub-systems with higher efficiency, cleaner signals and much smaller footprint – whether they use the DC6M as a standalone or in combination with LDOs,” said Frank Hildebrandt, international product marketing manager, standard linear product line, NXP Semiconductors.

Features:
1. Availability in output currents of 425, 500 and 650 mA
2. Output signal with low disturbances; output ripple typically at 7 mV
3. Efficiency of up to 95%; optimized for loads from 40 to 650 mA
4. Input voltage range from 2.3 to 5.5 V, and an output voltage range from 1.2 to 2.85 V
5. Power dissipation of 800 mW
6. Additional options includes voltage switch, a forced PWM mode for Pulse Width Modulation (instead of automatic Pulse Frequency Modulation/PWM switch), or the SMIA standard (XSHUTDOWN/powergood) option

The qualification samples of the DC6M6 series (supporting 650 mA) are available immediately with an indicative price of $0.65 USD for 1,000 pieces.

Source: NXP