Electronica Update – Product Releases from Enpirion, National Semi, Primarion, and IR
Enpirion Inc. released its second-generation dc-dc converters with 3A and 6A load current ratings; National Semiconductor Corp. added a flexible power management unit (PMU) with an integrated buck-boost converter and an I2C interface to its family of digitally programmable, multiple-output power management devices; Primarion Inc. added a VR11 digital power controller, and International Rectifier Corp. (IR)® introduced a sensorless sinusoidal motor control platform that delivers quieter operation and higher efficiency for variable-speed pump applications up to 300W.
Enpirion's second generation converters feature a further reduction in footprint, thermally enhanced QFN packaging, lower ripple and noise, and an increase in efficiency.
"These new 3A and 6A converters deliver benchmark performance and highest power density at the time when space-constrained customers with demanding loads need it most," said Paul Greenland, VP of Marketing and Applications at Enpirion.
The EN533x and the EN536x require two multi-layer ceramic filter capacitors and one soft-start timing capacitor. Output voltage is programmed via a 3-pin voltage ID for the EN5335QI and the EN5365QI, and by an external resistor divider for the EN5336QI and the EN5366QI. Increasing load current capacity is simple, up to four 6A converters may be paralleled, delivering a maximum of 24A.
The EN533x 3A and the EN536x 6A synchronous buck dc-dc converters are available immediately. Pricing in quantities of 1,000 units is $2.94 for the EN533xQI and $4.36 for the EN536xQI.
Suited for energy-sensitive portable media applications, National's new highly-integrated LP3910 flexible PMU features a high-current buck-boost converter that enables longer run times than traditional buck converters. In addition, the LP3910 PMU includes a dual-source battery charger to power a device from a wall adapter or USB and a digital I2C compatible interface.
The integrated battery charger supports power routing, which allows system usage immediately after an external power source has been detected. The I2C interface allows design engineers to customize electrical specifications such as output voltage and switching modes to the end application. The digital interface provides the flexibility to use the same device for multiple solutions that require different output voltages.
The highly-integrated LP3910 flexible PMU includes two buck regulators that provide up to 96% efficiency. Power consumption is further minimized through a dynamic voltage-scaling feature that enables the device to adjust or scale the output voltage in real time to match the computing workload and clock frequencies of the corresponding processors. The end result is longer battery life in energy-sensitive systems such as personal media players.
Available now in a small, 48-pin LLP® package that measures 6 mm by 6 mm,, the LP3910 is priced at $4.84 and the LP3913 is $4.40 each in 1,000-unit quantities.
Primarion's VR11 solution combines the company's innovative digital control technique and non-proprietary standard inductor based buck converter topology.
"We are proud to provide the industry and our customers with a record-breaking VR11 solution that also facilitates cost savings," stated Steve Pullen, Primarion's VP of Systems Engineering. "Our PX3538 solution offers 90 percent efficiency at a 130A output load using standard components. It also meets the stringent VR11 transient requirements with a lower number of output capacitors due to our patented active transient response technology (ATRTM). When you pair these cost-saving advantages with the discrete power train design flexibility we offer, it becomes obvious that our PX3538 solution is in a league of its own in terms of economics, performance and user-friendliness."
IR's latest iMOTION™ integrated design platform consists of a mixed-signal controller, the IRMCF371, and companion intelligent power module for the power stage, as well as algorithms, development software, and design tools. "Because variable-speed motor-driven pumps halve energy requirements, government legislation in many countries is driving the adoption of energy-efficient intelligent pumps, particularly in the water, waste-water, and building automation segments," said David Tam, VP of International Rectifier's Energy-Saving Products. "The iMOTION platform achieves higher reliability and system performance by better controlling system load changes, improving control pump operations, and providing control over a wide range of load conditions as well as enabling smooth start-up conditions," he added.
Design tools include communications software running on the 8051 microcontroller that gives the PC-based MCEDesigner™ software access to the control parameters and system variables in the shared memory. This allows modification of the controller set points and control loop gains and other constants without needing to modify or compile software.
The new iMOTION integrated design platform for pumps is being sampled to qualified users. The platform costs US $12.95 per unit in 10,000-unit quantities.
