Semtech unveils ‘world’s smallest’ 1.8A dual POL regulator

The SC283 combines two step down regulators in a 2 x 3 x 0.8mm, 18pad management of linear programming queries (mlpq) package. By integrating VID pins to enable independent configuration and control of the output voltages of each regulator, Semtech says the SC283 eliminates the need for two pairs of external feedback resistors. The POL regulator operates at a fixed switching frequency of 2.5MHz enabling it to work with small chip inductors, and is said to provide a 111mm² solution footprint. "No competitor even gets close to offering 1.8A in a dual buck regulator in this footprint," said Alan Burchfield, senior product marketing manager for Semtech's Power Management Group. "This amazingly small size is achieved without compromising performance. In fact, the SC283 offers very high efficiency, excellent transient response and the capability to perform dynamic voltage transitioning, giving designers an easy-to-use, green solution in an incredibly small footprint." The SC283 supports output currents up to 1.8A per channel, along with power conversion efficiency up to 94%, low shutdown current (1µA typ.) and transient response for fast system wake up from low power standby mode to full power operation. According to Semtech, this makes it suitable for powering a range of loads, including analogue to digital converters, microcontrollers, dsps and digital asics in networking, communications, consumer, industrial and office automation equipment, as well as solid state drive applications. The integrated VID pins enable designers to individually configure the output voltages of the two regulators by tying those pins either high or low. Each channel offers 15 pre-determined output voltages via four control pins that are programmable from 0.8 to 3.3V. The pins can be switched during operation to enable control of the output voltages for voltage scaling and power savings when driving some microprocessors or digital asics.