OVP controller protects USB-charging devices

ON Semiconductor has introduced an integrated overvoltage protection (OVP) controller dedicated to USB charging protection in portable and consumer devices. The NCP361 delivers OVP performance, reduces system cost and optimizes board space for cellphones, MP3 players, STBs, PCs and other consumer applications

The NCP361 uses an internal p-channel FET, making the need for an external device unnecessary and thus reducing the system cost and the PCB area of the application. If overvoltage from a wall adapter occurs, causing the input voltage to exceed the overvoltage threshold, the NCP361 instantaneously disconnects the output from the input to protect the downstream system. The NCP361 offers lower quiescent current than competitive ICs and very low current consumption at 20?A.

Additional features
For added protection, the NCP361 features overcurrent protection at 750mA. It has a negative-going flag output which alerts the system that a fault has occurred. The enable pin allows this OVP device to be forced to an off-state. It also offers protection of VBUS up to +20V, a more precise voltage threshold than discrete zener-based devices.

"Portable devices are especially vulnerable to electrostatic discharge due to their USB and other ports," said Marie Therese Capron, director of ON Semiconductor's low voltage power management business unit. "This creates a challenge for designers to provide extra protection to very sensitive components on crowded boards. ON Semiconductor's solutions, including the NCP361, provide best-in-class integrated protection devices in tiny packages that are ideal for implementation in ever-shrinking portable handheld devices."

The NCP361 is offered in a Pb-free 2mm x 2mm ?DFN-6 package. Budgetary pricing for the NCP361 is 40 cents per unit in quantities of 3,000.