ON Semiconductor 1 Amp voltage regulator family addresses market lack of devices to support sub 1 Volt rails

PHOENIX, USA: ON Semiconductor has extended its product portfolio with the introduction of five new CMOS linear voltage regulator families. The NCP69x families are optimized for use in low current consumption portable battery-powered and ‘always on’ applications such as cable modems, satellite receivers, digital-set-top boxes and electricity meters.

The NCP690, NCP691 and NCP692 are Very Low Dropout (VLDO) 1 A regulator devices available with an adjustable output voltage from 5.0 V down to 1.25 V or in fixed voltage versions.

The devices offer a power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) of 62 dB, low quiescent current (145 uA typical) and low noise (50 µVrms) operation, as well as short circuit and thermal protection. They have greatly enhanced electro-static discharge (ESD) protection of 4 kV compared to standard CMOS LDOs, and are designed to be utilized with low-cost ceramic capacitors. The NCP691 includes an enable-low function, while the NCP692 has an enable-high function.

The NCP693 1 A regulator operates with a supply current of only 65 µA at no load, and a standby mode with a supply current less than 0.15 µA, selected by a chip enable pin. Standard voltage versions are 0.8 V, 1.0 V, 1.2 V, 2.5 V and 3.3 V.

This series is complemented by the NCP694, which is an Ultra Low Dropout (ULDO) 1 A regulator for applications where there is a small differential between the input and output voltage. It offers -3 mV (typical) load regulation and a 60 μA (typical) quiescent current. A ripple rejection of 70 dB (typical), along with a current limit and thermal protection, makes this a very robust and versatile device. It is available in an adjustable version with a minimum output voltage of 1.0 V, and in fixed voltage options of 0.8 V, 1.0 V, 1.2 V, 2.5 V, and 3.3 V.

“With greater emphasis being placed on energy efficient designs, engineers need to be able to specify lower voltages,” states Mike Paquette, Director of the Regulation Business Unit at ON Semiconductor.

“With the NCP690, NCP691 and NCP692 1 A linear voltage regulators we are able to offer a high-performance solution for 1.5 V rails. By selecting the NCP693 and NCP694, our customers can add a sub 1.2 V rail to their design without needing to rely on a switcher and the associated peripheral components. This means the design will not be as complicated or electrically noisy, and will occupy less board space, as well as being more cost effective to implement.”