National Semi Introduces SIMPLE SWITCHER Synchronous Buck Controllers

National Semiconductor Corp. introduced a new family of SIMPLE SWITCHER® synchronous buck controllers – said to be the industry’s first end-to-end MOSFET selection tool to simplify switching controller designs.

The new PowerWise® SIMPLE SWITCHER controller family includes four synchronous buck controllers well-suited for communications and industrial systems. The LM3150 features an adjustable switching frequency and output voltage, and the LM3151, LM3152 and LM3153 feature a range of fixed frequencies along with a fixed 3.3V output voltage. Input voltages for the SIMPLE SWITCHER controllers range from 6 to 42V with output current capability up to 12A. The controllers require minimal external components, which is said to simplify the design process and reduces the overall solution size. The new SIMPLE SWITCHER controllers feature 93% peak efficiency.

The four SIMPLE SWITCHER controllers are described as easy-to-use components to design an efficient, medium-current, step-down power controller. The LM3150, LM3151, LM3152 and LM3153 employ a constant-on-time (COT) control topology that eliminates the need for an external compensation network, which reduces external component count and design complexity.

The patent-pending emulated ripple-mode technology allows for the use of low equivalent-series-resistance (ESR) output capacitors which further reduces system size, complexity and output voltage ripple, providing enhanced electrical performance.

The LM3150 controller features an adjustable output voltage down to 0.6V and programmable operating frequency up to 1 MHz.

The LM3151, LM3152 and LM3153 controllers feature fixed-frequencies of 250 kHz, 500 kHz and 750 kHz, respectively, and include output currents up to 12A. Each offer a fixed 3.3V output voltage with varying input voltages from 6 to 42V and require just 11 external components for easy design and small system size.