Zetex Inc. (Hauppauge, NY) announced its new ZXCP330E6 switched capacitor dc/dc converter, which provides a regulated 3.3V output from a 2V to 4.4V input with a maximum load current of 40mA. The first device in a new product series, the SOT23-6 packaged converter's low power and minimal external component count will suit lithium-ion and alkaline-battery-powered products in battery, portable and energy-conscious designs.
Operating with a flying capacitor of just 220nF and 10µF bypass capacitors at the input and output, the typical PCB area requirement is only 8mm x 5.3mm. Drawing an input current of 20µA in normal operation, reduced to 1µA in sleep mode, the ZXCP330E6 consumes minimal power. An enable pin is also provided for logic controlled shutdown of the output.
Based on a standard switched capacitor voltage doubler design, the converter IC achieves regulation by sending the output and activating a charge pump when the output voltage falls below a set threshold. The ZXCP330E6 is also fully protected against short-circuit and themal overload. For short-circuit conditions, the increase in supply current causes a rise in chip temperature. If the chip temperature reaches 150 degrees C, thermal shutdown circuitry disables the charge pump until the device has cooled to a safe level. The device then cycles in and out of operation indefinitely until the short-circuit is removed.
The 1,000-piece price for the ZXCP330E6 is $0.80 each. Delivery is four to six weeks in production volumes.
