DC to DC Power Supplies (Converters)
DC/DC Controllers provide up to 20 A down to 0.8 V.
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Press Release Summary:
Models MIC2168/9 are high-speed, synchronous buck control ICs that provide point-of-load DC/DC conversion for networking, telecom, server, and storage applications. Model MIC2168 operates at fixed 1 MHz PWM operating frequency, while Model MIC2169 operates at 500 KHz. Capable of efficiencies over 95%, both operate from 3-14.5 V input, allowing devices to step voltage down in systems with 3.3, 5, and 12 V power busses. Units come in low-pin count MSOP-10 package.
Original Press Release:
Micrel's New MSOP-10 DC/DC Controllers Provide Up to 20A Down to 0.8V
- 1MHz PWM operation reduces external components size
- high-side MOSFET current sensing eliminates expensive current-sense resistor
- adaptive gate drive allows efficiencies over 95%
- output over-voltage protection protects the load downstream
SAN JOSE, Calif. - (February 17, 2004) - Micrel has released two new high-speed DC/DC synchronous buck control ICs. The MIC2168 and MIC2169 provide high efficiency, small size, point-of-load DC/DC conversion for networking, telecom, server, set-top box, and storage applications. Micrel Semiconductor (Nasdaq: MCRL), is an industry leader in analog, power management and high-speed communications integrated circuits.
The MIC2168 operates at a fixed 1MHz PWM operating frequency - a speed that allows the use of the smallest external components. The MIC2169 operates at 500KHz which allows the highest level of efficiency, especially in high output current applications where the IC is driving large MOSFETs with high gate charge. With a proprietary adaptive gate drive technique that reduces MOSFET shoot-through current, both devices are capable of efficiencies over 95%.
The MIC2168 and MIC2169 operate from a wide 3V to 14.5V input voltage range allowing the devices to step voltages down in systems with 3.3V, 5V, and 12V power busses. With a programmable minimum output voltage of 0.8V, the MIC2168/9 can power the latest generation CPUs, DSPs, FPGAs, and ASICs. Their internal gate drivers easily allow the devices to power external MOSFETs that can provide 20A of output current.
Offered in a small, low-pin count MSOP-10 package, the MIC2168 and MIC2169 save valuable board space compared to bigger SOP-packaged solutions. The low pin count reduces design complexity and external components. Significant cost savings are achieved by eliminating the need for an expensive current sensing resistor by instead sensing current through the high-side N-Channel MOSFET. Current limit accuracy is maintained by a positive temperature coefficient that tracks the increasing on-resistance of the external MOSFET. Additionally, with its the built-in soft-start, the MIC2168/9 reduces in-rush current while eliminating the need for an external soft-start capacitor.
The MIC2168 and MIC2169 offer a high degree of safety features. A dual mode current limit protects the external MOSFETs while allowing the fastest recovery time from current limit conditions. Short circuit protection, over-temperature shutdown, and output over-voltage protection protects the expensive load circuitry downstream in case of fault conditions.
"The MIC2168 and MIC2169 answer our customer requests for small, simple, and cost-effective solutions for their point-of-load dc/dc applications. With these devices, we've been able to eliminate several external components, while still achieving a very high level of performance and flexibility. Depending on the customer size and cost requirements, the MIC2168 and MIC2169 can be configured for all- ceramic, tantalum, or electrolytic capacitor solutions" says Tony Grizelj, Micrel's marketing manager for power products.
The MIC2168 and MIC2169 are available in the MSOP-10 package. The devices are priced at $1.92 and $1.74 in 1,000-piece quantities, respectively. Samples are available from stock, and production quantities are stock to 12 weeks ARO.
Summary of Features & Applications:
MIC2168 / MIC2169 PWM Synchronous Buck Control ICs
o 3V to 14.5V input voltage range
o Adjustable output voltage down to 0.8V
o Up to 20A output current
o 500KHz (MIC2169) and 1MHz (MIC2168) PWM operation
o High-side MOSFET current sensing eliminates sense resistor
o Adaptive gate drive allows >95% efficiency
o Fast hysteretic transient response mode
o Internal soft-start
o Low power shut-down mode
o Over-current protection
o Output over-voltage protection
o Short-circuit protection
o Small footprint MSOP-10 package
Applications
o Point-of-load power DC/DC conversion
o Telecom systems
o Networking systems
o Servers
o Base stations
o Set top boxes
o Graphics cards
o Storage drives
Micrel Semiconductor is a leading manufacturer of advanced, high performance communications, clock management, Ethernet switch and physical layer transceiver, mixed signal, analog and power ICs. These products include devices for fiber-optic telecommunications and networking, cellular telephones, servers, portable computer systems, computer peripherals, process control systems, consumer electronics and power supplies.
