TI Unveils Step-Down Converter with I²C Interface and Dynamic Voltage Scaling
Texas Instruments Inc. (TI) has introduced a 3-MHz, 800mA step-down dc-dc converter to work in tandem with processing platforms that use TI's SmartReflex™ power and performance technologies. Designed to extend battery life in 3G phones and other portable electronics, the converter features a 3.4-Mbps I²C communications interface and fast transient response from a tiny chip scale package.
TI's TPS62350 synchronous, step-down dc-dc converter supports up to 800 mA over the input voltage range of a single-cell Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery. The device's integrated I²C communications interface allows it to adjust output voltage between 0.75 Vdc and 1.53 Vdc, efficiently supporting TI's digital signal processors, SmartReflex-enabled OMAP3430 and other processor core power supplies in cell phones, PDAs, digital still cameras, as well as handheld computers that use Intel's XScale® processors. The TPS62350 can operate in a power-save mode at light-load currents, and can be placed in a shutdown mode where the power consumption is reduced to less than 1 µA.
The device's serial interface is compatible with fast/standard and high-speed mode I²C specification, which allows data transfer at up to 3.4 Mbps. The dynamic voltage scaling feature allows the TPS62350 to adjust voltage levels in 12.5-mV steps and seamlessly switch to an efficiency-optimized light power factor mode (PFM), a transient-optimized fast PFM mode or a forced PFM mode. The device features a 28-µA typical quiescent current.
The TPS62350 is optimized for smart phones with SmartReflex power and performance technologies. SmartReflex solutions, which leverage TI's deep sub-micron process geometries, significantly reduce chip-level leakage power dissipation. The technologies incorporate a broad range of intelligent and adaptive hardware and software technologies that dynamically control voltage, frequency and power based on device activity, modes of operation, and process and temperature variation.
SmartReflex technologies coordinate the power consumption and performance of all major system components, including multiple processing cores, hardware accelerators, functional blocks and peripherals. A library of power management cells enables a granular approach to system partitioning of the portable device's power domains. Finally, SmartReflex technologies provide an open software framework that enables intelligent coordination among lower-level hardware technologies and compatibility with OS-based and third-party power management software.
The TPS62350 is sampling now from TI and its authorized distributors. Volume production is scheduled for June. The converter comes in a 12-pin, 2.2 mm x 1.4 mm chip scale package and a 10-pin, 3 mm x 3 mm QFN package. Suggested retail pricing is $2.05 in 1,000 piece quantities.
