Allegro MicroSystems Intros A8450 Regulator IC

Allegro MicroSystems Inc. (Worcester, MA), a supplier of mixed-signal power semiconductors and hall-effect sensors, announced its A8450 automotive-grade, multi-output, regulator IC that features four regulator outputs. Two low-voltage outputs (using external pass transistors) provide DSP or microprocessor core and I/O voltages, while two linear 5 V tracking regulators, which track within 0.5% over temperature, can be used for driving sensors and other 5 V peripherals. Both 5 V outputs feature current foldback circuitry to protect against any short-to-ground events. The A8450 incorporates controlled power-up sequencing and power-on-reset functionality, as well as extensive fault detection and reporting.

By combining multiple voltage regulators on a single IC, the A8450 saves board space and is cost competitive when compared to multiple-IC solutions. The 6 V to 45 V input voltage and 150 °C operation allows the IC to be used in severe under-hood environments in either 14 V or 24 V automotive systems. The A8450 can be rated to these high temperatures and voltages by utilizing an integrated buck switching pre-regulator, which substantially increases the thermal efficiency of the IC over standard linear output regulators. The A8450 can be enabled/disabled with one of two input pins. A high-voltage input allows enable/disable from a high-voltage ignition signal, or a logic input allows enable/disable via a logic signal from the microcontroller or DSP. In the disabled mode, the A8450 draws less than 10 µA of quiescent current. A power-on-reset block monitors the supply voltages and provides a signal that can be used to reset a DSP or microcontroller.

The A8450 is manufactured using Allegro's Allegro Bipolar CMOS DMOS (ABCD) process and is offered in an industry-standard, 24-lead, SOIC batwing package (suffix "LB"). Pricing is $2.19 per part for quantities of 5,000.