a family of SMPS Controllers

Electronic Technology Corp. (ETC, Huxley, IA) recently introduced a family of Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) Controllers. According to ETC, the seven-member family offers high accuracy of +/-2.5 percent and typical supply current of 20 to 80uA. The series includes standard voltages of 3.3V and 5.0V, and the capability to customize to any voltage from 2.0V to 7.0V increments. Switch-mode power supplies periodically store energy in a magnetic field using a current from the primary supply to charge an inductor, and then releasing that energy into the load. A capacitor is placed across the load to hold the voltage relatively constant. ETC claims the family offers 80-90 percent efficiency across a wide range of current requirements via Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for higher loads, Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFW) for lower loads, and a dual mode PWM/PFW device that automatically switches modes based on load requirements. The family also offers step-up and step-down as well as internal and external switch configurations. Our SMPS controller family continues our product line expansion in power management. Our customers are particularly excited about the dual mode ETC4380/1 devices which offer great performance in both standby and active modes of PDAs and similar battery operated gear, said Bernard Brafman, ETC's vice president of sales and marketing.