National Semiconductor Introduces 1.5A Buck Regulator For Automotive Applications
National Semiconductor Corp. (NYSE: NSM) introduced a 1.5A buck regulator for automotive applications, such as dashboard and infotainment systems, that must provide basic functionality even in standby mode.
The LM26001 has a low sleep-mode Iq of just 40 uA, compared to typical competitive solutions that offer 100 uA Iq. A 1.5 percent feedback accuracy meets the regulation needs of the latest microcontroller, microprocessor and DSP core voltages. These specifications make the LM26001 well-suited for automotive applications, as well as battery-powered medical and measurement applications, including portable insulin pumps and blood pressure monitors that require continuous operation.
The LM26001 is a switching regulator designed for the high-efficiency requirements of battery-powered applications requiring always-on stand-by modes. It has a low-current sleep mode to maintain high efficiency under light load conditions and current-mode control for optimal performance over a wide input voltage range. Quiescent current, the current consumed by the device when not switching, is typically 10 uA in shutdown mode and less than 40 uA in sleep mode. The LM26001 also has forced pulse-width modulation (PWM), frequency adjust and clock synchronization inputs. These features allow system designers to control the operating frequency to avoid interference with other electronics.
The LM26001 can deliver up to 1.5A of continuous load current with a fixed current limit through the internal N-channel switch. It has a wide input voltage range from 4.0V to 38V and can operate with input voltages as low as 3V during cold-crank transients. The operating frequency is adjustable from 150 kHz to 500 kHz with a single resistor and can be synchronized to an external clock. Other features include power good, adjustable soft-start, enable pin, input under-voltage protection and an internal bootstrap diode for reduced component count. The LM26001 is housed in a TSSOP-16 package.
"National's LM26001, with its ultra-low quiescent current and easily controlled operating frequency, offers designers the ability to meet the demanding specifications of automotive applications, such as GPS receivers and infotainment systems, where consumers expect performance even in very low-power situations," said Mal Humphrey, business unit director for National Semiconductor's Power Management Group. "The LM26001 is National's latest product optimized for automotive applications and joins the company's wide range of power products, op amps, temperature sensors and data converters for this market."
The LM26001 is priced at $3.00 in 1,000-unit quantities.
