Regulator takes FETs onboard to cut PSUs to size

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Aug 21, 2001

Elantec Semiconductor has a new single-chip synchronous boost DC/DC regulator with integrated power FETs.

Elantec Semiconductor has a new single-chip synchronous boost DC/DC regulator with integrated power FETs.

The EL7512CY is aimed at TFT-LCD displays, digital cameras, and portable products such as test instruments and PDAs that are powered from a single Li-ion or multiple NiMH battery cells.

The EL7512CY can be operated as high as 1.2MHz switching frequency, which makes it an attractive device for powering ADSL, USB modems.

Elantec's EL7512CY operates from input voltages from +2 up to +15V, over an ambient temperature range of -40 to +85C.

The device is packaged in a compact MSOP10 package and requires few external passive components to provide a complete DC/DC step-up (boost) convertor.

When used to generate a +5V output from a +3.3V input, the EL7512CY can provide from 100 to 500mA of load current, while operating at up to 90% efficiency.

With the device operating from a +5V input and the output set for +12V, the EL7512CY can provide from 100 to 300mA of load current, again, at up to 90% efficiency.

The desired output voltage is easily fixed to the desired value by two external resistors.

Other features include a shut-down mode whereby the device only draws 3uA of supply current, an external enable control to turn the device on/off, and a low battery output signal to warn when the input falls below a prescribed level.

Pricing at 1000-piece quantities for the EL7512CY in the 10-pin MSOP package is $1.42 and decreases with higher volumes.

The EL7512CY is available to sample on the demo boards now with production quantities available within 8 weeks.