Energy-Efficient Analog Products from National Semiconductor Provide High Reliability, Robust Operation for Automotive Applications

National’s temperature sensors, data converters, audio and operational amplifiers (op amps), as well as power management and interface circuits, address the need for reliability and precision with high temperature environments and wide operating voltage ranges. Many of these devices, identified by the letter Q in the device name, conform to the Automotive Electronics Council’s AEC-Q100 reliability specification, a special manufacturing flow that requires extended testing and screening. All of these products help electronic system designers develop safer cars with better fuel efficiency and provide the driver with comfort and convenience.

Energy-Efficient Products
To prevent severe battery drain when a car is parked for extended periods of time, National’s new LM26003 switching regulator features a low-current sleep mode to maintain efficiency under light-load conditions and current-mode control for accurate regulation over a wide input voltage range of 4.0V to 38V. Available now in a 20-pin TSSOP package, the LM26003 switching regulator is priced at $3.90 each in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information, visit http://www.national.com/pf/LM/26003.html.

For powering automotive systems where the supply can vary both above and below the output voltage, National’s PowerWise® LM5118 DC-DC regulator controller features a unique buck-boost control that ensures seamless control from the electronic modules even when battery voltage falls momentarily down from 4V. Available now in a 20-pin thermally enhanced TSSOP package, the LM5118 is priced at $2.92 each in 1,000-unit quantities. For more information, visit http://www.national.com/pf/LM/LM5118.html.

Enabling LED Lighting
LED (light-emitting diode) lighting in the car is becoming widespread, improving fuel economy due to better luminous efficiency than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs. LEDs are environmentally friendly due to fewer hazardous materials and last longer.

National’s family of PowerWise LED drivers power 1W to 5W high-brightness LEDs. These LED drivers provide a wide input voltage range, constant current to regulate LED brightness, a low-feedback voltage to minimize power dissipation and zero shutdown current to maximize efficiency. Dimming, protection and thermal control features are suitable for a wide range of lighting applications.