Regulator saves board space and cost

By satisfying power requirements for DDR3 memory, the PM6641 will suit new products using the latest high-speed memory standard.

STMicroelectronics has combined all supply voltage and reference sources for a multimedia chipset and DDR2/3 memory into a single device with the PM6641 multioutput regulator.

The regulator, housed in a 7 x 7mm QFN-48 package, saves cost and reduces the footprint by integrating three programmable switching regulators, a 2A-rated linear low dropout (LDO) and a low-noise reference.

It also meets the latest industry specifications for ultramobile PCs (UMPC).

The three outputs are independently adjustable from 0.8 to 2.5V, enabling space savings in applications including notebook and subnotebook PCs, portable gaming terminals, set-top boxes, HDTVs and personal video recorders (PVR).

By satisfying power requirements for double datarate 3 (DDR3) memory, the PM6641 will suit new products using the latest high-speed memory standard.

Features such as out-of-phase switching of the three digital supplies to minimise input-capacitor requirements save additional board space and cost.

The programmable switching frequency from 500kHz to 1MHz allows the use of small inductors and the device is also optimised for low-cost multilayer ceramic capacitors at the output.

In addition, power-saving operation at light loads extends battery life and allows designers to reduce standby power consumption.

Protection features include thermal protection, separate power-good signals, latched overvoltage and undervoltage protection and active soft-end for all outputs.

With programmable current-limit and soft-start for all outputs also included, these embedded features ease design-in to multiple products using the reference design provided.

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