Summit Dual 3A and Single 6A Programmable Integrated Buck Regulators Deliver Flexible, High-Efficiency Power

Like the entire SMB20X family, the SMB206A and SMB210A support advanced power management for “green” and ENERGY STAR applications. These include a wide range of multimedia consumer and broadband/SoHo applications such as digital LCD/LED/plasma/IP televisions, digital cable/satellite/IP set-top boxes and media gateways, broadband cable/DSL modems, wireless SoHo routers and switches.

The SMB206A/SMB210A are dual/single-output integrated DC-DC buck regulators combining Summit’s digital programmability with dense integration, ultra-compact size, and cost-effective bill-of-materials (BoM) necessary for mass-market consumer products. With a serial digital interface and on-board non-volatile memory, the SMB20X family can be easily configured during development and re-programmed in system by host software. The result is a flexible, digitally controlled power supply design that is easily customizable without tedious hardware design cycles or complex microcontroller-style GPIO-based control. They can also be programmed by fixed resistors and purchased as standard products with fixed voltages. The integration of advanced power control functions eliminates external components and cost, improves functionality and performance, and minimizes development time.

“Summit continues to expand its line of programmable power products with the SMB206A and SMB210A DC-DC regulators,” stated Abid Hussain, Summit vice-president of marketing and applications. “The unprecedented combination of flexibility, integration, reduced BoM and solution size brings true digital power management to high-volume, cost-sensitive consumer applications and enables advanced power-saving techniques to meet stringent ENERGY STAR and other “green” energy-saving standards”.

The SMB206A and SMB210A integrate single or dual step-down DC-DC buck regulators with on-board MOSFET(s) supplying up dual 3A+3A (SMB206A), or single 6A (SMB210A) output currents. Input voltage range is +4.5V to +16V and output voltage range is +0.8V to VIN, accurate to 2.5% over load/line/temperature. Output voltage is digitally programmable in ~10mV steps while other custom voltages are supported with external resistors. Switching frequency is programmable to 500kHz or 1MHz with 180° phase interleave for SMB206A. Light load efficiency is supported by automatic pulse-skipping operation. Integrated frequency compensation and feedback resistors minimize BoM count, cost and design effort.

Output enable, sequencing, softstart and output voltage (UV) monitoring are all programmable as well. Output voltage monitoring is coupled to “PowerGood” or “RESET” signals with programmable output assignment and output channels can be enabled via the serial I2C interface or by the ENABLE pins. Nominal output voltages maybe changed once the system is powered up, enabling the latest SoC’s to reduce platform power using advanced voltage/clock scaling modes. The SMB206A/SMB210A with ~10mV “fine step” output voltage programming allow for easy voltage margining to support rapid system validation and characterization of these same advanced SoC’s.

Tiny 3mm x 3mm QFN packaging and minimal external components yield an ultra-compact (typically <120mm2 for dual) solution size. Programmed configuration is held in the OTP non-volatile memory but may be changed in system by host software via the I2C port. The rated operating temperature range is -40°C to +85°C.