Ultra small POL regulator offered as LDO alternative
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With a low profile of 2 x 3 x 0.6mm and an overall design solution footprint of 80mm2, Semtech's new dual output point of load (POL) regulator is offered as a space saving, higher efficiency alternative to low dropout regulators (LDOs).
The 500mA device has a power efficiency rated at 94% and combines two PWM dc/dc regulators. The mixed signal/analogue specialist says it is ideal for power management applications in portable equipment, as well as in lower voltage, multi rail power supply designs.
In addition, the SC197 features integrated 4bit VID pins to provide dynamic voltage scaling, without the need for external programming resistors. On-chip loop compensation is implemented to eliminate the need for stability control components and a 3.5MHz fixed PWM switching frequency operation is said to balance high efficiency and fast transient response.
"Semtech's buck regulator platform is blowing by the competition with high performance, ultra small and high efficiency solutions," said Athar Zaidi, director of marketing in Semtech's Power Management group. "The SC197 gives designers an easy to use, incredibly small switching solution for powering both core and peripheral functions in portable equipment applications, including smart phones, navigation devices and portable gaming consoles."
Both regulators in the SC197 operate from inputs of 2.9 to 5.5V and provide 15pin programmable output voltages from 0.8 to 3.3V. An automatic power save mode has been implemented to reduce quiescent current to 38µA and to maintain high efficiency during light loads.
