Microsemi Unveils Small Switching Regulator for Consumer Electronics Products
Microsemi Corp. extended its family of dc-dc controllers and switching regulators with the introduction of a synchronous buck switching regulator in a compact multi-chip module with built-in power functionality. The NX9415™ is designed for step-down dc-dc converter applications in LCD TVs, set-top boxes, DSL modems, netbooks, telecom, networking and other point-of-load dc-dc applications.
Microsemi’s use of advanced multi-chip module (MCM) packaging enables the NX9415 to convert 8- to 22V input voltages down to as low as 0.8V with an output current of up to 5A, while occupying a small, 4 x 4mm footprint and maintaining the device’s high-frequency capability. Alternative, monolithic silicon solutions require a die size with a significantly larger footprint in order to achieve the same high frequency and low drain to source on-resistance (RDS(on)) as the NX9415.
"The NX9415 solves the problem of achieving up to 5 amps output current on an 8 to 22 volt bus using the smallest possible switching regulator with internal power FETs," said Amir Asvadi, Director of Marketing with Microsemi’s Analog Mixed Signal Group. "We continue to drive down the size and cost of high-output integrated power solutions using advanced MCM packaging, while also offering a growing family of monolithic controllers that work with our customers’ choice of external power devices," Asvadi said. "The unique advantages of MCM DC-to-DC solutions as compared to monolithic solutions are especially significant in the 12-volt-and-higher voltage input range that, until now, required an external adaptor."
The NX9415 incorporates a 2MHz controller that supports an 8- to 22V input supply voltage, plus two metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) with a low, 31mΩ RDS(on) and the ability to deliver 5A of maximum current output. An internal 5V regulator, which provides the voltage supply to internal logic and a driver circuit, allows for single supply operation. The module operates from 200kHz to 2.2MHz and employs loss-less current limiting by sensing the RDS(on) of the synchronous MOSFETs.
Other key features include an internal boost Schottky diode, adjustable frequency for circuit optimization, and adjustable over-current protection with Hiccup logic. Additionally, the module features thermal shutdown capability, a 5V gate drive and adaptive deadband control, as well as an internal digital soft-start capability, and a 5-volt undervoltage lock-out and shutdown capability.
The NX9415 is packaged in a 4 x 4mm, 24-lead quad-flat no-lead (QFN) package with excellent thermal capability. Samples are available immediately, and the module is priced at $0.50 in OEM volumes of 1,000.
