Linear Technology’s recent technical achievements in the performance of switching regulators and innovative packaging methods have finally allowed a new generation of point-of-load DC-DC regulators, including all the circuit components such as the inductor and power MOSFETs, to be shrunk and encapsulated in such a tiny size that they resemble a surface mount IC.
These high-end point-of-load μModule regulators are complete solutions containing the DC-DC controller, MOSFETs, inductor, input and output bypass capacitors and compensation circuitry in only 2,25 cm².
Encapsulated in a 15 x 15 x 2,8 mm LGA, the innovative packaging protects the solution from the corrosive effects of the outside environment and thermal enhancement provides a highly efficient heat removal mechanism.
Resembling the size, form-factor and simplicity of a surface-mount IC, designing with this family of μModule POL solution requires no knowledge in switchmode power supplies, greatly simplifying the task of a digital circuit designer.
Despite their small size, the μModule DC-DC regulators are capable of converting a wide range of input supplies from 4,5 V to 28 V to lower output voltages as low as 0,6 V from 6 A to 12 A and higher.
The new μModule DC-DC family
Systems such as automotive telematics, industrial test equipment or telecom routers that incorporate FPGAs, microcontrollers, memory modules and other sophisticated digital ICs, have specific requirements for DC-DC regulators.
For example, systems such as data acquisitions that may be sensitive to noise, require the switching frequency of the DC-DC regulator to match a certain clock frequency so filters can attenuate more of the switching noise. These regulators must offer phase-lock loop capability for synchronisation to an external clock. Furthermore, these complex systems need several different point-of-load voltages to satisfy a variety of board components such as memory, I/O, core and even operational amplifiers. With multirails, it is often necessary for proper startup of the system so that these rails follow a set sequence during power-up. As a result, a DC-DC point-of-load converter must be equipped with precision tracking and sequencing circuitry to ensure well-controlled power-up and power-down of the rails.
* LTM4601 and LTM4603: The LTM4601 is a full-featured 12 A output μModule DC-DC solution. It includes PLL, tracking and margining and remote sensing. The LTM4603 is rated for 6 A and has the same features, footprint and layout as the LTM4601. Each device is offered in two voltage options of 4,5 V to 20 V or 4,5 V to 28 V. They allow current sharing by paralleling the outputs of multiple devices for higher load current. They are rated for operation from -40 to 85°C.
* LTM4601-1 and LTM4603-1: The LTM4601-1 and LTM4603-1 are identical to the two above, except the remote sense function is removed. They allow current sharing by paralleling the outputs of multiple devices for higher load current.
* LTM4600 and LTM4602: Linear Technology's first μModule, the LTM4600, is a 10 A μModule DC-DC intended for POL solution requiring simpler features. The LTM4602 is rated for 6 A and has the same features, footprint and layout as the LTM4600. They are also each offered in two voltage options of 4,5 V to 20 V or 4,5 V to 28 V and rated from -40 to 85°C.
Leaves room for digital ICs
Because of their small size and light weight (1,73 g) they can be handled by any pick-and-place machine. Further, because of their low profile (height), the μModule DC-DC converters can be soldered onto the top or back side of a circuit board, taking advantage of the available space and leaving room for the sophisticated digital ICs such as FPGAs and DDR memory. The low profile is also beneficial for air flow, especially in very dense systems.
Benefits
Benefits of the µModule DC-DC converters include:
* Complete power supply: the inductor, power MOSFETs, DC-DC controller and compensation are all on-board.
* Minimum part count: each μModule converter needs only one resistor to set the output from 0,6 V to 5 V.
* Power and voltage ratings are high.
* Packaging is 100% surface mount, light weight and very low profile.
* Fully RoHS compliant.
This family of μModule products will suit customers who need a fast time-to-market and a fully-assembled and tested DC-DC solution that is compact and thin.
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