Product category:
Power Supply ICs and Controllers
News Release from: Micrel | Subject: MIC2183/4
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 25 October 2001
DC/DC buck controllers step down 3.3V
supplies
Micrel has released two new DC/DC controllers that convert 3.3V voltages to lower voltage levels.
Micrel has released two new DC/DC controllers that convert 3.3V voltages to lower voltage levels Most of today's communications circuits are powered from high power, 3.3V power supplies
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 5 Dec 2000 at 8.00am (UK)
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It is a common requirement for the circuits to also need some auxiliary supply voltages, like 2.5, 1.8 and 1.5V.
The MIC2183/4 provide an ideal solution to efficiently generate high-current supply rails from the main 3.3V supply.
Both devices feature an input voltage range of 2.9 to 14V.
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The MIC2183/4 include built-in, high-power output drivers, capable of driving large mosfets that provide large output currents.
The MIC2183 is a synchronous buck controller.
It can efficiently step down a 3.3V input to generate output voltages of 2.5, 1.8, 1.5V etc.
Its synchronous architecture reduces power loss by replacing a lossy Schottky diode with a low-on-resistance mosfet.
The MIC2183, for example, can step down a 3.3V input and achieve 2.5V output at 5A at over 94% efficiency.
The MIC2184 is a buck controller.
It uses a Schottky diode instead of a mosfet on the low side of the convertor, saving cost.
The MIC2184 solution allows the designer to make cost versus efficiency tradeoffs in applications where efficiency is not as critical.
The switching frequency of the MIC2183/4 can be selected from 400 or 200kHz, depending on the efficiency and noise spectrum requirements of the power supply.
The parts can be synchronised up to 600kHz.
Many designs require more than one DC/DC controller to be used, therefore the synchronisation function helps reduce overall noise.
"The MIC2183 and MIC2184 are optimised for low voltage power conversion required in telecomms and datacomms systems.
Their low input voltage capability saves space by eliminating the need for charge pump biasing circuitry needed with other solutions to work at low voltage levels.
Flexible frequency selection and synchronisation capabilities allow the MIC2183 and MIC2184 to avoid frequencies in sensitive bands of the communications system", says Tony Grizelj, Micrel's marketing manager for power products.
The MIC2183/4 have maximum duty cycles of 100%.
This feature is beneficial in applications where the input and output voltages are close together, and a large duty cycle is required.
The MIC2183BM and MIC2184BM are available in the SO-16 package.
They are both priced at $3.50 when purchased in 1000-piece quantities.
Samples are available from stock, and production quantities are stock to 12 weeks ARO.
In addition, a QSOP-16 package option is available, allowing the MIC2183/4 to be designed into a footprint half the size of a standard narrow-body SO-16 package.
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