Power Management Unit includes buck-boost converter.

Press Release Summary:



Suited for portable media applications, multi-output Model LP3910 PMU includes digital I2C-compatible interface and dual-source battery charger to power device from wall adapter or USB. Charger supports power routing, which allows system usage immediately after external power source has been detected. Dynamic voltage-scaling feature enables device to adjust or scale output voltage in real-time to match computing workload and clock frequencies of corresponding processors.



Original Press Release:



National Semiconductor Introduces World's First Power Management Unit with Integrated Buck-Boost Converter and Charger



Space-saving, Multi-output LP3910 Includes Battery Charger with Power Routing and Dynamic Voltage Scaling to Extend Battery Life in Portable Media Players

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - November 13, 2006 - National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE:NSM), a leader in power management technology, today introduced the world's first flexible power management unit (PMU) with an integrated buck-boost converter to its family of digitally programmable, multiple-output power management devices.

Well-suited for energy-sensitive portable media applications, the highly-integrated LP3910 flexible PMU features a high-current buck-boost converter that enables longer run times than traditional buck converters. In addition, the LP3910 PMU includes a dual-source battery charger to power a device from a wall adapter or USB and a digital I2C compatible interface. The integrated battery charger supports power routing, which allows system usage immediately after an external power source has been detected. The I2C interface allows design engineers to customize electrical specifications such as output voltage and switching modes to the end application. The digital interface provides the flexibility to use the same device for multiple solutions that require different output voltages.

In portable media players where mini hard disk drives typically require a 3.3V supply, a buck-boost converter extends battery life. Li-Ion batteries, a popular choice for portable media players, have an operating voltage range of 2.9V to 4.2V. When the Li-Ion battery is fully charged, the converter steps the voltage down to supply the hard disk drive. When the battery voltage is lower than 3.3V, the converter steps up the voltage. This technique increases the run-time of the player up to 10 percent over the run-time achieved by a traditional buck converter.

The highly-integrated LP3910 flexible PMU includes two buck regulators that provide up to 96 percent efficiency. Power consumption is further minimized through a dynamic voltage-scaling feature that enables the device to adjust or scale the output voltage in real time to match the computing workload and clock frequencies of the corresponding processors. The end result is longer battery life in energy-sensitive systems such as personal media players.

Together, the integrated features simplify the design process for developers of portable media applications, maximize power savings and minimize board space.

National's LP3910 will be shown in National's booth in hall A4, stand #506 at the Electronica trade show in Munich, Germany, from November 14-17.

Technical Features of National's LP3910 PMU
Available in a small, 48-pin LLP® package that measures 6 mm by 6 mm, National's LP3910 is a programmable system PMU that is optimized for portable media players with hard disk drives. It incorporates two low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators, two integrated buck converters with dynamic voltage scaling, a wide-load-range buck-boost converter with programmable output voltage, a 4-channel, 8-bit A/D converter for managing the battery usage and a dual-source Li-Ion/polymer battery charger. The charger has the capability to charge and maintain a single-cell battery from a regulated wall adapter or USB power.

For applications using Flash memory or products without a hard drive, National offers the LP3913 with the same features as the LP3910, but a 500 mA buck converter replaces the buck-boost converter.

For more information on the LP3910 and LP3913 or to order samples, visit
http://www.national.com/pf/LP/LP3910.html and
http://www.national.com/pf/LP/LP3913.html.

About National's Power Management Products
National Semiconductor is the number one supplier of voltage regulator ICs with 14 percent market share, according to iSuppli's 2005 Semiconductor Market Share survey. National's innovative power management products include best-in-class linear regulators; power monitoring, control and reference ICs; and switching converters, such as high-voltage ICs for DC-DC conversion, switched capacitor converters, lighting management ICs and inductive switching converters. National also offers online tools that enable power designers to select the best power management chips for their applications. National's Webench® design tool allows designers to choose a product, create and analyze a design, and then build custom prototypes that can be delivered within 24 hours. More information about National's power management products is available at power.national.com.

Availability and Pricing
Available now, the LP3910 is priced at $4.84 and the LP3913 is $4.40 each in 1,000-unit quantities.

About National Semiconductor
National Semiconductor, the industry's premier analog company, creates high-value analog devices and subsystems. National's leading-edge products include power management circuits, display drivers, audio and operational amplifiers, interface products and data conversion solutions. National's key analog markets include wireless handsets, displays and a variety of broad electronics markets, including medical, automotive, industrial, and test and measurement applications. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., National reported sales of $2.16 billion for fiscal 2006, which ended May 28, 2006. Additional company and product information is available at www.national.com.

National Semiconductor and LLP are registered trademarks of National Semiconductor Corporation. All other brands or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective hold

Gayle Bullock
National Semiconductor Public Relations
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Santa Clara, CA 95051
Tel: (408) 721-2033
Cell: (408) 464-2516
Fax: (408) 721-3238
Email: gayle.bullock@nsc.com
Press Room: http://national.com/company/pressroom/

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