Microsemi intros family of DC-DC regulators for enterprise apps

ALISO VIEJO, USA: Microsemi Corp., a leading provider of semiconductor solutions differentiated by power, security, reliability and performance, introduced a family of DC-DC regulators for powering disk drives used in enterprise applications.

The new LX7167 2A, LX7169 3A and LX7165 5A DC-DC regulators are based on a flexible architecture that is unique to Microsemi and includes patent-pending control technology. The cost-effective implementation enables ultra-fast transient response times, while minimizing power dissipation.

"The performance and technical advantages of our new regulators have already been validated by design wins from one of the industry's leading disk drive manufacturers," said Mark Smith, product line manager, DC-DC products for Microsemi.

"As we execute on our product roadmap we plan to leverage the unique flexibility, control technology and ultra-fast response times of this product suite in targeting a number of applications within the growing DC-DC converter market."

According to Darnell Group in its 2011 Worldwide DC-DC Converter IC Forecast, the worldwide DC-DC converter IC market will grow from nearly 20 billion units in 2011 to just under 32 billion units in 2016.

Microsemi's new DC-DC regulators are targeted at 3.3V and 5V applications and are offered in multiple output current ratings. Customers can choose from a variety of space-saving package technologies including dual flat no-lead (DFN) and wafer-level chip-scale packaging (WL-CSP).

Microsemi's patent-pending control technology eliminates the need for a traditional control loop error amplifier and allows immediate response to load and line disturbances. In addition, delays associated with the control network are eliminated, enabling increased speed and lower device bias currents. The resulting speed improvement also facilitates the removal of output capacitors, which lowers component counts and bill-of-material costs.

Microsemi's new regulators provide the speed needed to deliver the transient power larger capacitors would have provided in the past. The increased speed reduces output voltage excursions during transient loads as much as three times compared to competitive solutions. In addition, the lower bias currents ensure the regulators maximize efficiencies at the lowest load currents.