Micrel Speeds Up World's Simplest SO-8 Buck Regulator to 500KHz
biz.yahoo.com
SAN JOSE, Calif., June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Micrel has increased the operating frequency of its SuperSwitcher(TM) SO-8 buck regulator to 500KHz. The MIC4690, the newest member of the SuperSwitcher(TM) family, was designed and developed by Micrel Semiconductor (Nasdaq: MCRL), an industry leader in analog and power management integrated circuits.
Micrel's SuperSwitcher family has evolved from 50KHz, to 200KHz, and now to 500KHz. The higher operating frequency allows the use of smaller inductors and capacitors, saving designers valuable board space and cost. While increasing the operating frequency to 500KHz, Micrel has not sacrificed the other key performance features of the SuperSwitcher family. The MIC4690 boasts a wide input voltage range of 4V to 34V, and a high 1.3A output current. Only 4 external components are required with the MIC4690, making it a very simple to use solution.
``The MIC4690 is ideal for applications where space is critical. Its high operating frequency allows the use of small inductors and capacitors. Its fused power SO8 leadframe allows over 1.3A of continuous output current, replacing bulky D2PAK and TO-220 packages,'' says Tony Grizelj, Micrel's marketing manager for power products.
The MIC4690 allows robust designs with built-in safety features such as a cycle-by-cycle current limit, frequency foldback short circuit protection, and thermal shutdown. The MIC4690 is available in an adjustable output voltage version, with fixed 3.3V and 5.0V output versions coming soon.
The MIC4690BM is housed in a SO-8 package and priced at $2.30 when purchased in 1,000-piece quantities. Samples are available from stock, and production quantities are stock to 12 weeks ARO.
Summary of Features & Applications: MIC4690 SuperSwitcher
-- 4V to 34V input voltage
-- Switching frequency of 500kHz
-- Over 1A continuous current
-- Only 4 external components
-- Adjustable output voltages down to 1.25V; fixed output voltages of 5V,
3.3V coming soon
-- Typical 1.5 uA shutdown current
-- Internally compensated with fast response times
-- Robust protection includes
-- Cycle-by-cycle current limit
-- Frequency foldback short circuit protection
-- Thermal shutdown
-- Up to 90% efficiency
Applications
-- Distributed-power designs
-- Hard disk drives
-- Battery chargers
-- Local 12V to 5V/3.3V/2.5V/1.8V conversion
-- Local 5V to 2.5V/1.8V conversion
-- Positive to negative converters
-- Replacement of larger TO-220 and TO-263 designs |
