NXP Semiconductors introduces its DC6M DC/DC switching regulator family featuring a very high 6-MHz frequency, ultra-low output voltage ripple performance of 7 mV, and high efficiency up to 95%. The DC6M family supports up to 650 mA supply current in a tiny wafer-level chip-scale package (WLCSP6), measuring only 1.36 x 0.96 x 0.47 mm. With an input voltage range from 2.3 to 5.5 V, the new dc/dc converters are suited for battery-driven portable devices such as smartphones, as well as other consumer devices where efficient power management is essential and space is limited.
With a typical output voltage ripple of only 7 mV, the DC6M family (including the DC6M4, DC6M5 and DC6M6) minimizes disturbances to the output voltage signal caused by the switching mechanism, thus enabling a stable signal, enhancing energy efficiency, and overcoming a common limitation of most other dc/dc converters today. In addition, the high switching frequency of 6 MHz allows the usage of SMD inductors as small as 470 nH in a flat 0805 package size (available with heights as small as 0.8 mm), further reducing the space required in the design.
To illustrate, a typical smartphone application area occupied by a step-down converter and its surrounding components can be reduced by 40% when using a 6-MHz dc/dc converter, instead of a 3-MHz alternative. Further, the DC6M buck converter supports the ability to disable the device, which reduces the quiescent current down to 0.2 µA.
The DC6M dc/dc switching regulators are the latest additions to NXP's dc power management products, including dc/dc converters, low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulators, and voltage references.
The NXP DC6M4, DC6M5 and DC6M6 DC/DC step-down switching regulators provide the following features:
- High 6-MHz switching frequency, which allows the usage of very small inductors (470 nH)
- Availability in output currents of 425, 500 and 650 mA
- Output signal with very low disturbances; output ripple typically at 7 mV
- Very high efficiency of up to 95%; optimized for loads from 40 to 650 mA
- Ability to disable the device, which reduces the quiescent current down to 0.2 µA
- Input voltage range from 2.3 to 5.5 V, and an output voltage range from 1.2 to 2.85 V, supporting requirements of battery-driven portable devices
- Very small WLCSP6 package (1.36 x 0.96 x 0.47 mm)
- High power dissipation of 800 mW
- Many additional options, including voltage switch; a forced PWM mode for Pulse Width Modulation (instead of automatic Pulse Frequency Modulation/PWM switch); or the SMIA standard (XSHUTDOWN/powergood) option
For more information, contact NXP Semiconductors, 1130 Ringwood, M/S SJ 28, San Jose, CA 95131. Phone: (408) 474-8769.
