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SM regulators deliver high current on the spot

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Dec 9, 2002

The PMA family of surface mountable DC/DC regulators offers high-current outputs from 1.2 to 5V.

The PMA family of surface mountable DC/DC regulators offers 1.2 to 5V outputs at high current: 3.3V-input/2.5V-output and 5V-input/3.3V-output versions are rated at 6-8A output and all other models can deliver up to 12A.

Efficient thermal transfer minimises operating temperatures and contributes to the exceptionally high reliability (MTBF over 12Mh) of the devices.

It also minimises the need for external cooling components, saving cost and space.

Built on ceramic substrates, PMA series power modules are housed in compact, transfer-moulded packages and are designed for operation close to the point-of-load (POL) in distributed power architectures.

They operate from 3.3, 5 or 12V DC inputs and feature a high level of functional integration.

The modules, which are up to 95% efficient, have integrated input filtering, input-output synchronisation, remote control, output voltage trimming and output sensing.

This minimises external component count, simplifying design and manufacturing and reducing system time-to-market.

It also reduces the required board space and costs.

A basic version, with limited input and output filtering, is also available.

PMA modules measure 36 x 20 x 8.5mm and weigh 12g, making them ideal for automated pick-and-place assembly lines.

The modules' high efficiency means that they can operate over a temperature range of -30 to +85C with limited airflow and the moulded packages ensure better than 0.1mm planarity for reliable contact with printed circuit boards.

The trend towards high-speed, high current processors has led to increasing demand for power modules designed to supply individual chips.

The resulting distributed power architecture, known as DPA-Level 4, involves stepped reduction of DC voltages within a system, finally stepping down to the level needed for processor and other logic devices.

PMA regulators are designed to deliver a highly regulated supply to individual processors in communications systems.

Applications include radio basestations, microwave links, switching equipment, high speed routers, optical transmission systems, and broadband access equipment.

The PMA packaging has been derived from the design of Ericsson's lower power Macrodens modules, over 25 million of which have been shipped over the past 10 years.

The new modules are produced using lead-free solder and bromide-free encapsulating resin to comply with current and future environmental regulations including RoHS and WEEE.

The PMA full-featured version and the version with limited filtering are both available in sample quantities now, with volume manufacture due in March 2003.