Intersil Offers Integrated 6A Step-Down Converter

Intersil’s new Elantec® EL7566 offers integrated synchronous MOSFETs and generates CPU core, DSP and input/output (I/O) supplies while incorporating voltage margining, power supply sequencing and protection against a wide range of fault conditions.

"The Elantec EL7566 is a feature-rich integrated FET 6 amp buck converter that’s tailored for novice and experienced power designers seeking point-of-load power solutions for CPU, DSP and FPGA applications," said Kaveh Parsi, director of marketing for communications and power products for Intersil’s Elantec Product Group. "This third generation device offers up to 96% efficiency at 6 amps of continuous current and incorporates power up sequencing for today’s critical core processor and input/output (I/O) voltage requirements. The EL7566 also offers a plus or minus five percent voltage margining capability -- allowing customers to raise and lower the supplies derived from the EL7566 to validate the performance and reliability of system cards quickly and easily during manufacturing testing."

The EL7566 operates from a 3V to 6V Vin input supply. With internal CMOS power FETs, the device can operate at up to 100% duty ratio allowing for output voltage range from 0.8V up to nearly Vin. The device operates at a constant frequency pulse width modulation mode, making external synchronization possible. Patented on-chip resistor-less current sensing enables current mode control, which provides cycle-by-cycle current limiting, over-current protection and excellent step load response. The adjustable, high switching frequency of up to 1 MHz enables the use of small components, making the entire converter less than 0.9 square inches in size with all components occupying one side of a printed circuit board.

The EL7566 features soft-start and full start-up control, which eliminates the in-rush current and enables users to easily control the start-up of multiple converters in any configuration. A junction temperature indicator allows for convenient monitoring of the silicon die temperature, saving system designers from tedious thermal characterization.

Features of the EL7566 include: Integrated synchronous MOSFETs and current mode controller, 6A continuous output current, up to 96% efficiency, 1.25% initial output accuracy, built-in +/-5% voltage margining, multiple supply start-up tracking, adjustable switching frequency to 1 MHz, power-good indicator, junction temperature indicator, requires less expensive and smaller inductor and capacitor values, 0° to 85°C temperature range, with over-temperature protection, and 28-pin HTSSOP package.

Intersil's Elantec EL7566DRE is available now in a 28-pin thin shrink small outline package with heat sink (HTSSOP) for $3.09 each in 10,000-unit quantities.