Dual buck controller cuts BoM by 15%

Analog Devices Inc. said its ADP1823, a dual PWM buck controller, eliminates the need for sense resistors, large capacitors and inductors, thereby reducing component count and bill-of-materials (BoM) costs by as much as 15 percent compared to competing solutions.

The device, ideally used with the company's ADM1175/6/7/8 hot swap controllers, generates two independent output rails as low as 0.6V from a 3-20V input. It's high switching frequency (pin-selectable to 300kHz or 600kHz; chip can also be synchronized to an external clock as high as 1MHz), with outputs operating 180° out of phase, cuts the number and size of external components. Each buck controller can be configured to provide an output to as high as 85 percent of the input voltage and will drive large MOSFETs for point-of-load regulators.

The ADP1823 provides an accuracy of —0.85 percent over 0 to 70°C. Its two outputs contain individual "power-good" pins, and provides current-limit protection. A tracking feature ensures the ADP1823's voltage rails are powered up in sequence. Additional features include soft-start to minimize inrush currents, and reverse current limit protection, which prevents the part from being damaged against pre-charged outputs.

The ADP1823, in a 32-pin LFCSP package and rated for operation over -40°C to 85°C, is available in volume production. It is priced at $2.10 each in 1,000 pieces.

- Vince Biancomano
eeProductCenter