Electronic Design

  
Reprints     Printer-Friendly    Email this Article    RSS        Font Size     What's This?


[TechView: Analog & Power]
Tiny Analog Switches Are The Seeds Of Invention

David G. Morrison  |   ED Online ID #6870  |   December 4, 2003


Three analog-switch ICs from Fairchild Semiconductor come with an unusual warning: Keep away from poppy-seed bagels. Housed in 1.45- by 1.2-mm MicroPak packages, the FSA4157, FSA4156, and FSA1157 could easily get lost among any stray poppy-seed crumbs (a fate that allegedly befell a Fairchild application engineer). Their small size tops a list of features tailored to suit portable, battery-powered applications.

The devices specify an on-resistance of 1.1 Ω, a level available from other analog-switch ICs but not in a package as small as the MicroPak. Previously, the MicroPak's lowest on-resistance was 5.0 Ω. In portable audio applications, the 1.1-Ω on-resistance reduces the power needed to drive a speaker.

Other audio-related parameters include an on-resistance flatness of 0.2 Ω and a total harmonic distortion of just 0.002%. The switches also provide a high 7500-V electrostatic-discharge rating. Their wide 1.65- to 5.5-V supply range simplifies component selection. With competitive offerings, multiple components may be required to cover the various supply voltages.

Along with the MicroPak, the FSA4157, FSA4156, and FSA-1157 switches come in SC-70s. Pricing starts at $0.38 each in lots of 1000.

Fairchild Semiconductor
www.fairchildsemi.com

See associated figure


Reprints   Printer-Friendly  Email this Article  RSS    Font Size   What's This?


  • In EDA, A Year Of Mergers, Failed And Otherwise
  • 2008 BEST Electronic Design Winners
  • Engineers Rely On Internet For Product Info
  • Rochester Electronics Establishes New Design and Technology Group
  • November 17, 2008
  • Custom Sources Light Way To 22-nm IC Lithography
  • Software Turns Scopes Into Vector RF Signal Analyzers
  • Couple’s $15 Million Gift Advances Rice Engineering Education
    1) Switch-Mode ICs Promote Efficient Power Management, Part 1: Switch-Mode Fundamentals
    (1205 views today)
    2) Ubuntu Goes Embedded
    (293 views today)
    3) Build A Smart Battery Charger Using A Single-Transistor Circuit
    (260 views today)
    4) Parts Add Up To Home Theater PC
    (245 views today)
    5) Ten Top Design Skills For Tough Times
    (183 views today)
    ALL TOP 20



    POST YOUR COMMENTS HERE
    Name:

    Email:
    Your Comments:

    Enter the text from the image below


    Please refresh the page if you have trouble reading this text.

    Search Electronic Design
         
      
     
    Email Newsletter
    Sponsored By:
    Electronic Design UPDATE provides readers with late-breaking news, opinions from industry experts, and timely technology stories. It's a unique opportunity to get your product message in front of engineers, engineering managers, and corporate managers while they're reading about critical information online.

    Enter Email to Subscribe
      

    Electronic Design Europe Electronic Design China EEPN Power Electronics Auto Electronics Microwaves & RF
    Mobile Dev & Design Schematics Find Power Products Military Electronics EE Events Related Resources