Product category:
Power Supply ICs and Controllers
News Release from: Semtech | Subject: SC486
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 19 November 2004
Combination regulator powers up DDR and
DDR2
The SC486 is Semtech's first switcher/linear combination regulator designed specifically for DDR and DDR2 memory applications.
The SC486 is Semtech's first switcher/linear combination regulator designed specifically for DDR and DDR2 memory applications The SC486 integrates a switching regulator for the supply voltage, a linear regulator for the memory termination voltage, and an internal buffered voltage reference into a single device targeted at next-generation notebook computers, PDAs, power supplies and other portable systems
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 16 Jul 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The SC486 comes in one of the smallest form-factors on the market, a 4 x 4mm MLPQ package, and further reduces board space requirements through the integration of otherwise external circuitry for DDR memories, such as resistor dividers and sense resistors.
"In today's portable designs the need for high performance DDR memory goes hand-in-hand with the need for a small form factor, and with the SC486 we have a power supply the satisfies both of these parameters", said Eddie Yeow, Vice President of Semtech's Portable Products Group.
"The device is a major step forward for these designs thanks to its small form factor and high integration but also because the performance we've built in ensures proper functioning of the memory".
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The SC486 features an adaptive on-time switching regulator that provides a very accurate supply voltage (VDDQ) to the memory chip with fast DC/DC conversion response and better than 90% efficiency.
The controller protects the memory from transient changes by monitoring the output voltage and adjusting the frequency to counter the change in load current.
The device also features a power-save mode that reduces switching frequency in light load conditions for improved efficiency and lower power consumption.
The low dropout (LDO) regulator creates the memory termination voltage (VTT) and has the capacity to source and sink up to 3A of peak current.
The VTT output tracks an internally generated and buffered reference voltage that is half of VDDQ, providing for a highly accurate termination voltage and contributing to DDR memory reliability.
The LDO is designed to operate with ceramic output capacitors for cost/board space savings over switching solutions.
The SC486 is available immediately in production quantities and is priced at $1.32 each in 1000-piece lots.
The device comes in a 24-pin, lead-free MLPQ package and is orderable by the part number SC486IMLTRT.
Semtech offers comprehensive design assistance, including field- and factory-based support.
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