austriamicrosystems intros industry’s highest efficiency series of dual DC-DC converters

UNTERPREMSTAETTEN, AUSTRIA: austriamicrosystems, a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, has introduced the industry’s highest efficiency high current, dual step-down DC-DC converters in a compact 3x3 mm TDFN package.

For space-limited applications with low power consumption requirements, the new AS134x series provides small size and high efficiency -- up to 95 percent -- for maximum time between battery charges. The AS134x series is targeted for portable devices such as laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices and solid state drives (SSDs).

The AS1346/47/48/49 DC-DC series is a family of high-efficiency, constant-frequency dual buck converters available with fixed-voltage versions in 100 mV increments from 1.2 V to 3.6 V. Each version provides two independent DC-DC regulators with output currents between 0.5 A and 1.2 A.

The two channels operate 180 degrees out-of-phase to reduce input voltage ripple and minimize input capacitor requirements. The devices operate over a broad input voltage range (2.7 V to 5.5 V), feature an automatic power-save mode, and, with internal MOSFETs, few external components are required. These features and others make the AS134x series well suited for SSDs and many other battery-powered products.

In shutdown mode, typical supply current decreases to a maximum1 uA. In addition, a highly efficient duty cycle provides low dropout operation, prolonging battery life in portable systems, while an internal synchronous switching scheme increases efficiency and eliminates the need for an external Schottky diode. The internally fixed switching frequency (2.0 MHz) allows the use of small surface mount inductors.

Peter Kammerlander, austriamicrosystems’ Senior Product Manager, stated: “Today’s battery powered devices offer more features and higher performance, placing increasing demands on power management and efficiency. The AS134x series not only meets the demands of consumer electronics, but also for other applications such as ultra-low-power systems, solid state drives, medical instruments, as well as telemetry and remote systems.”