ZMD has announced a family of 1, 2, and 3A current-mode synchronous buck DC/DC converter integrated circuits. The 1MHz ZMDI ZSPM401x product line comprises three families and 18 products: the ZSPM4011 1A family, the ZSPM4012 2A family, and the ZSPM4013 3A family. The ICs require only 4 external devices - 3 capacitors and 1 inductor. Each family comes in fixed-output voltage options of 1.5, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3 and 5 volts to reduce external part counts. An input voltage range of 6V - 24 V (3A option is 6V to 20V) lets designers target more applications with one basic 'cookie-cutter' design technique.
Each family also offers a variable output voltage option of 0.9V to 5V for maximum part flexibility. At 5V in and 1.8V out, the parts offer 90% efficiency. At 6V in and 3.3V out, efficiency increases to 93%. The efficiency of the design eliminates the need for any external thermal protection. Additional features are input supply under-voltage lockout, soft-start for controlled startup with no overshoot, and full protection for over-current, over-temperature, and Vout over-voltage.
Synchronous switching at 1MHz (+/- 10%) and internal compensation minimizes the number and size of external parts, minimizing board real estate. A typical, low standby mode of 5uA maximizes energy efficiency while reducing the application's power budget. All of the ICs are designed to operate over a robust temperature range from -40 to +125 degrees C.
Target applications for these devices span an array of consumer and communications products, including notebooks, tablets, smart phones, portable GPS systems, printers, cable modems, voice-over-IP (VOIP) phones, and wireless access points based on the IEEE802.11 wireless local-area-network (LAN) standard.
Packaging, Pricing, Availability, Tools
The ZSPM4011, ZSPM4012, and ZSPM4013 ICs come in 3mm x 3mm 16-pin PQFN packages, featuring a tiny 9mm2 footprint. Available in sample quantities now, the families are priced at $1.81 for the ZSPM4011, $1.84 for the ZSPM4012, and $1.89 for the ZSPM4013 (price for each at a volume of 1000 pieces). Evaluation kits consisting of an evaluation board and user manual are available from ZMDI, along with white papers and application notes.
