Sipex Presents New SP6686 Charge Pump Driver

Sipex Corp. (Milpitas, CA), a provider of analog integrated circuits, debuted its new SP6686, a current-regulated, buck/boost charge pump delivering 400 mA. Providing two independently adjustable and selectable output current levels for flash and torch modes, the SP6686 is a suitable solution for camera flash applications in cell phones.

Operating at a 2.4 MHz switching frequency, the SP6686 requires only three tiny external capacitors (0.47 µF, 1 µF and 2.2 µF), reducing the overall solution's footprint to new levels. The SP6686 delivers up to 94% efficiency thanks to a proprietary feature that enables the IC to automatically transition from the linear buck mode to the 2x boost mode based on the battery input voltage. The SP6686 also features a low shutdown current; an automatic soft-start mode to limit inrush current; and over-current, over-voltage and thermal-shutdown control.

The SP6686 is available now starting at $1.59 in 1,000-piece quantities. Samples and evaluation boards are also available.