Power
National Semiconductor Unveils SIMPLE SWITCHER Power Module Family
National Semiconductor introduced the first three products in its SIMPLE SWITCHER power module family. The LMZ-series of power modules provide an innovative, integrated solution that will save design time and provide ease-of-use to help system designers get their products to market faster. The power modules provide the efficiency of a synchronous switching regulator with the simplicity of a linear regulator, eliminating the external inductor and complex layout placement challenges typical of switching regulator designs. Other devices in the SIMPLE SWITCHER power module family will launch throughout 2010.
NatiAdditionally, the power modules’ single exposed-bottom pad allows for easy and quick prototyping on lab benches, eliminating the possibility of non-visual solder bridging. The size and lead pitch of these modules enable the use of the same pick-and-place manufacturing employed with standard TO-263 packages. Each module is pin-to-pin compatible with other family members, allowing designers to create one layout to facilitate last-minute drop-in replacements if load current requirements change.
Power supply designers can design with SIMPLE SWITCHER power modules using National’s award-winning WEBENCH Power Designer, as well as the new WEBENCH Power Architect design tool. The enhanced WEBENCH Power Architect enables engineers to rapidly create multi-output DC-DC power supplies for an entire system.