ZMDI power management DC/DC converters simplify design, minimize part count, and reduce board real estate

Thanks to their high level of integration, the ICs require only 4 external devices - 3 capacitors and 1 inductor. Each family comes in fixed-output voltage options of 1.5, 1.8, 2.5, 3.3 and 5 volts to reduce external part counts, while allowing for quick part selection and easy design. An input voltage range of 6V - 24 V (3A option is 6V to 20V) lets designers target more applications with one basic 'cookie-cutter' design technique.

Each family also offers a variable output voltage option of 0.9V to 5V for maximum part flexibility. At 5V in and 1.8V out, the parts offer 90% efficiency. At 6V in and 3.3V out, efficiency increases to 93%. The high efficiency of the design eliminates the need for any external thermal protection. Additional features are input supply under-voltage lockout, soft-start for controlled startup with no overshoot, and full protection for over-current, over-temperature, and Vout over-voltage.

Synchronous switching at 1MHz (+/- 10%) and internal compensation minimizes the number and size of external parts, minimizing board real estate. A typical, low standby mode of 5uA maximizes energy efficiency while reducing the application's power budget. All of the ICs are designed to operate over a robust temperature range from -40 to +125 degrees C.

Target applications for these devices span an array of consumer and communications products, including notebooks, tablets, smart phones, portable GPS systems, printers, cable modems, voice-over-IP (VOIP) phones, and wireless access points based on the IEEE802.11 wireless local-area-network (LAN) standard.

We created the ZSPM401x families with three objectives in mind: High feature integration, and flexibility that lead to quick design, low external component count and small application footprints, stated Bernhard Huber, BL Manager. The power input and output voltage ranges are highly efficient, giving these parts what we think is the best power consumption available.

Packaging, Pricing, Availability, Tools
The ZSPM4011, ZSPM4012, and ZSPM4013 ICs come in 3mm x 3mm 16-pin PQFN packages, featuring a tiny 9mm2 footprint.

Available in sample quantities now, the families are priced at $1.81 for 1Ku for the ZSPM4011, $1.84 for 1Ku for the ZSPM4012, and $1.89 for 1Ku for the ZSPM4013. Evaluation kits consisting of an evaluation board and user manual are available from ZMDI, along with white papers and application notes.