New Industry Products

Analog Devices Shrinks High-Frequency DC-DC Regulators

November 24, 2008 by Jeff Shepard

Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) introduced what it describes as the industry’s smallest 500mA buck regulator, the first of a family of high-frequency 6MHz dc-dc regulators. The ADP2121 is available in a 1.3 x 0.9mm wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) with a razor-thin height of 0.6mm. The device requires only two small capacitors and one small inductor, which the company states results in a 35% reduction in PCB area compared with current 3MHz buck regulator solutions. According to the company, the ADP2121 delivers exceptional efficiency and performance, providing system designers with a cost-effective, ultra-small power management solution for portable applications where board space and battery life are critical.

"It can be a challenge to utilize new space-saving 0402 (0.04 in x 0.02 in) output capacitors for high-performance point-of-load dc-to-dc applications where the load can toggle between heavy and light operation," said Arcadio Leon, Marketing Director for Portable Power Products, Analog Devices. "The ADP2121 was designed specifically for these types of applications, offering excellent transient performance and overall accuracy even in these difficult conditions."

The ADP2121 also features the lowest-in-class FET on resistance, which helps to maintain the peak efficiency above 90%. The device automatically transitions to a low quiescent current power-save mode during light load conditions, which is critical for extending the operating life of high-performance, battery-operated portable electronics.

The ADP2121 solution operates at input voltages ranging from 2.3 to 5.5V, meeting the requirements for single Li-Ion, Li-Ion polymer cell and multiple alkaline/NiMH cell applications. Fixed output voltage options are available at 1.8, 1.82, 1.85, and 1.875V. The ADP2121 supports a wide range of space-constrained applications, such as camera modules, GPS modules, memory modules, or other modules used in ultra-thin smart phones, digital still cameras, portable disk drives and media players.

Samples of the ADP2121 6-MHz buck regulator are available now in a 6-ball WLCSP. The ADP2121 is priced at $0.80 per unit in 1,000-unit quantities.