Infineon single-chip voltage regulator simplifies design of active antenna systems

NEUBIBERG, GERMANY: Further expanding its product portfolio for automotive infotainment applications, Infineon Technologies AG today introduced a world first single-chip linear voltage regulator with integrated diagnosis and car radio system protection functions.

Designed for active antenna applications in automotive infotainment systems, the TLF 4277 low drop out (LDO) voltage regulator has adjustable output voltage to support the majority of standard active antennas, including FM/AM, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast), and the XM and SIRIUS satellite radio bands.

With its integrated current monitor and adjustable current limitation, the TLF 4277 enables reduction in the number of discrete components for active antenna applications by approximately 50 percent.

Over 95 percent of all cars now produced worldwide feature active antennas for radio program reception. Active antennas are small enough to easily fit into the windscreen, front bumper or the stub antenna on the car’s roof.

According to current market researchers, about 52 to 55 million cars are expected to be produced globally in the year 2009. On average, cars are typically equipped with two active antennas and as a result with two active antenna voltage regulators.

Infineon is the first chip supplier in the world to produce a monolithic single-chip voltage regulator with integrated current monitor function for diagnosis and system protection as well as adjustable current limitation.

The integration of the functions improves reliability of car radios. The monitor function of the TLF 4277 allows easy detection of failures and simple integration of a failure analysis function in an infotainment system.

The AEC-Q100 qualified device is protected against failure situations, such as short-circuit of the output against ground or battery voltage, overtemperature and over-current.