Building block cuts conversion parts count

The International Rectifier iP1001 is a 20A, single-phase synchronous buck convertor building block that integrates all power semiconductors and layout-critical passive components.

International Rectifier has introduced the iP1001 iPOWIR device, a 20A, single-phase synchronous buck convertor building block that integrates all power semiconductors and layout-critical passive components.

The new iPOWIR device replaces up to 20 discrete components, cutting component count by 90%.

At the same time, the iP1001 device provides up to 5% improvement in efficiency over optimised discrete designs.

The new synchronous converter device requires only input and output capacitors plus an output inductor to create a complete synchronous buck converter.

The building block approach eliminates the need to specify, qualify, procure and assemble each individual discrete component now integrated into the iP1001.

The new device greatly simplifies buck converter design and layout, shrinks board space, and enables faster time-to-market.

Circuit traces between discrete components introduce stray parasitics.

By integrating the layout-critical components within the iP1001, stray parasitic effects are minimised, enabling a peak efficiency of up to 94% in a 12V input, sub 2V output buck converter.

When compared to an equivalent discrete design, the iP1001 improves efficiency by up to 5%.

Housed in a tiny 14 x 14 x 3mm ball grid array (BGA) package, the iP1001 reduces footprint by up to 40% compared to a discrete equivalent-based design.

The iP1001 building block is designed for single-phase nonisolated DC/DC convertors for computing, network, telecommunications and datacommunications equipment, including switchers and routers.

It is suitable for CPUs, network processing units (NPUs), ASIC and peripheral or auxiliary rail applications up to 20A.

The flexibility of the iP1001 allows designers to implement a building block approach that can be used to power the many different voltage rails in today's systems.

The iP1001 is rated at 20A maximum output current at board temperature up to 96C for 5 to 16V input.

The new device has DAC-selectable output voltages between 0.925 and 2.0V to within +/-1% regulation.

Output voltages up to 3.3V can be achieved with simple external circuitry.

This product can also be easily configured to operate at input voltages as low as 2.5V.

In addition, the iP1001 has overvoltage, under-voltage and user configurable overcurrent protection features, PGOOD as well as a SKIP mode feature.

Skip mode enables more efficient operation during light load conditions, particularly in mobile applications, where efficiency is needed to extend battery life.

iP1001 samples are available immediately with volume production in January 2002.

Pricing is $14.44 each in 10,000-unit quantities.

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