Analogue power ICs and modules

All circuits require a power supply, and the number of circuits in the world is growing exponentially. It is no surprise then that semiconductor suppliers are investing in the area of power management and control. Design engineers can now benefit from a range of components that are more efficient, streamlined and cost-effective and able to solve more design challenges than previous technology.

Many new technologies and techniques have been developed in the field of analogue power ICs and modules. Synchronous rectification is moving away from being a rarity to being a standard item in the engineer’s toolbox, offering valuable increases in operating efficiency. Similarly, off-line SMPSs are increasingly making use of quasi-resonant technology which offers low standby and normal operating power consumption (see page 8). These, and other techniques, are highlighted in the following pages, such as the valley-switching scheme implemented in Fairchild Semiconductor’s FSQ0165RN which results in both high efficiency and low EMI (see page 13).

It is impossible to escape the fact that being green is now an essential selling point for many products. Government programmes and policies are reinforcing the message of power efficiency. This challenge is being tackled on two fronts; firstly by reducing active power when a circuit is in operation; and secondly by reducing power consumption when a circuit is in stand-by mode. The TEA1533, for example, is an SMPS IC from NXP Semiconductors that implements three operating modes to maximise efficiency at different power levels, including when equipment is in stand-by mode (see page 11).

At the other end of the spectrum, the ‘make vs. buy’ debate is still active. This is especially true for companies where efficient powersupply design is not a core competency. The Astec LPT50 series of power supplies are compact, triple-output 50W units that accept universal input voltage and frequency, and provide a selection of standard DC positive outputs from 3.3V to 24V (see page 17). Suppliers such as Astec continue to increase performance, flexibility, energy density, and approval levels of their units, as well as reducing cost to make bought-in units attractive to an increasing customer base.