Semtech expands broad platform of POL regulators with easy-to-use, 4A device

CAMARILLO, USA: Semtech Corp., a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, has expanded its point-of-load (POL) regulator platform to include a highly-integrated, 4A output current, synchronous buck regulator with programmable soft-start in a tiny 3 x 3 x 0.6mm package. The new SC185 joins Semtech’s existing platform of POL regulators, which includes a wide selection of output currents ranging from 0.5A to 4A.

The SC185 simplifies power supply design by integrating the regulator, loop compensation components, power MOSFETs and MOSFET drivers on one chip. This high level of integration eliminates the need for external loop stabilization components and programming resistors, allowing designers to easily drop the SC185 onto their PC board, minimizing layout time and effort, with the added benefit of reducing the total board space requirements to an ultra-compact, 89mm2 overall solution footprint.

Additionally, the user-programmable soft-start minimizes inrush current to effectively manage overall system power drain.

“Our goal is to provide the most comprehensive range of POL regulators in the industry – from 0.5A to 4A and beyond,” said Alan Burchfield, Senior Product Marketing Manager for Semtech’s Power Management Group. “We listen closely to our customers’ power supply requirements and we are responding with highly integrated, easy-to-use power conversion solutions that help designers meet ‘green’ compliance initiatives and get their products to market on schedule.”

With a very high operating efficiency up to 95%, the SC185 also offers an automatic power-save (PSAVE) mode that maintains high efficiency during light loads. The integrated low RDS(ON) MOSFETs, combined with the PSAVE feature, enable compliance with the increasingly stringent, low standby power consumption requirements of global energy efficiency regulations.

The high integration, ultra-small footprint, high efficiency, and design simplicity make the SC185 a simple, space-saving solution for power-efficient POL regulation applications in storage, networking, communications, consumer, industrial and office automation equipment.

The new SC185 POL regulator features a fixed, 1.5MHz PWM (pulse-width-modulation) switching frequency and accepts input voltages from 2.9V to 5.5V, with output voltages ranging from 1.0V to 3.3V.

The device also offers a low, 1µA (typ.) shutdown current and excellent transient response, as well as a power-good indicator to prevent data corruption by holding the system controllers and EEPROM in reset mode until the IC meets known-good regulation. A full range of standard protection functions, including input under-voltage lockout, output over-voltage and current-limit protection, over-temperature protection, and thermal shutdown are also featured.

The 4A SC185 joins Semtech’s existing platform of POL regulators, which covers an expanding range of output currents, including the SC173 (3A) and SC174 (4A) EcoSpeed™ regulators and the SC195 (500mA), SC202 (500mA), SC4626 (1A), SC189 (1.5A), SC283 (1.8A) and SC183C (2A) devices.