New Industry Products

austriamicrosystems’ New DC-DC Buck Converter Supplies 600mA For Low Output Voltages

November 04, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

austriamicrosystems introduced AS1324, a step down regulator optimized for low output voltages in battery powered applications.

The AS1324 delivers up to 600mA from an input voltage range of 2.7 to 5.5V which makes the device suitable 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 1.2, 1.5 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.

austriamicrosystems’ AS1324 is designed to save space and increase efficiency in battery powered applications. The 1.5MHz fixed switching frequency minimizes PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny, low profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low, predictable output noise that can be easily filtered. Furthermore the AS1324 offers high output voltage accuracy as well as a low output voltage ripple.

Additionally the integrated automatic power save mode is said to increase efficiency in light load conditions, consuming only 30µA of quiescent current. The reduced power consumption substantially increases battery life in many applications. Moreover, the AS1324 offers a 100nA typical shutdown mode combined with an output disconnect feature.

"Many portable applications powered by a single lithium-ion battery cell need low voltages far below the battery supply range to power modern microprocessors and other low power ICs," said Walter Moshammer, Marketing Director Standard Linear at austriamicrosystems. " The AS1324 provides the low voltage required and additionally offers high efficiency to support low power designs."

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