Multi-Topology Regulators Feature Improved Performance

Dec 13, 2006 11:12 AM

Two multi-topology dc-dc regulators from ON Semiconductor, the NCP3063 and NCP3163, provide the design flexibility of buck, boost or voltage-inverting configurations. These ICs extend the performance of the industry-standard MC34063 device by operating at higher switching frequencies, delivering higher output current and incorporating protection features. The regulators are ideal for consumer electronics.

The devices are drop-in replacements for the MC34063, widely used in step-down (buck), step-up (boost), and voltage-inverting applications utilizing hysteretic control architecture. Compared to the MC34063, the NCP3063 increases the switching frequency from 50 kHz to 150 kHz, reducing the size of the output capacitor from 470 μF to 47 μF, and the output inductor from 220 μH to 47 μH.

The NCP3163 switches at 300 kHz. This device also produces a peak output current of 3.4 A, whereas the MC34063 produces a maximum peak output of only 1.5 A.

Both devices include a internal thermal shutdown with hysteresis and a cycle-by-cycle current limit. These protection features prevent catastrophic failures such as a short on the output from permanently destroying the device or the load. The NCP3063 and NCP3163 are qualified for the standard temperature range, and both devices will also be offered in DFN packages to improve the thermal performance resulting in increased average output current. The NCP3063B and NCP3163B are qualified for the industrial temperature range. The NCV3063 and NCV3163 multi-topology dc-dc regulators are qualified for the automotive temperature range (-40 °C to +125 °C).

The NCP3063 is pin-to-pin compatible with the MC34063A and MC33063A, and is available in SOIC-8 and PDIP-8 packages. It is priced at $0.29 per unit in 1000-unit quantities. The NCP3163 is available in SOIC-16 and DFN-18 packages. It is priced at $1.20 per unit, also in 1000-unit quantities.