Sipex Corporation, designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog semiconductors for the power management market, announced the availability of its SP6641 PFM boost converter in a 5 pin SOT-23 package. This is the latest product in its growing family of high-efficiency, low-voltage, DC to DC boost regulators used in single and dual-cell alkaline, and Lithium-ion portable powered systems where small size is critical. The SP6641, with its high current capability, low quiescent current, and outstanding accuracy over line, load and temperature, is specifically designed for use in inexpensive, battery-powered handheld products, such as digital still cameras, MP3 players, PDAs, and pagers, where cost, space and reliability are key design considerations.

An engineer can build a complete power supply for these products using the SP6641, and only four external components: two capacitors, one inductor, and a diode. The SP6641 offers a number of significant benefits over existing solutions. It is an ultra small solution that provides a high performance, low cost solution without compromising battery life. The SP6641 integrates a power device that can source up to 500mA (SP6641B) of current, and uses only 10 micro-amps of quiescent current. It provides three times better line rejection, four times better load rejection, as well as higher output accuracy over the industrial temperature range (-40 deg C to 85 deg C). Because the IC is highly accurate and less noisy than competitive solutions, less expensive external discrete resistors and ceramic capacitors can be used to deliver the comparable performance of competitive solutions that require more precise resistors and more expensive tantalum capacitors. "Customers desire small size, high performance, and low cost, which are all typically contradictory goals," said Todd Sherman, Sipex's Product Line Manager for Power Management.

The SP6641 is a high-efficiency (83%), low-voltage, low quiescent current (10mA), asynchronous-boost regulator that is ideal for single, dual-cell alkaline or Lithium ion applications such as pagers, digital still camera, PDAs, and MP3 players. The output remains highly accurate and less noisy over line, load and temperature conditions, letting the designer select less expensive external discrete components, such as ceramic versus tantalum capacitors. The wide voltage input range is 0.9V to 4.5V, and the output range, is factory preset for 3.3V (+/-4%). The quiescent current is only 10uA and the device is capable of sourcing up to 500mA. Designers can control the SP6641 via the shutdown pin.

Sipex Corporation; Phone: 978-671-1907; Fax: 978-670-9001

It's no secret that the power industry continues to demand smaller more integrated circuits. Integrated power converters and ICs are the hot items for low-power applications, especially as the customers demand smaller-end items. Many of the newest products come in the very small SOT23 packages that are able to meet low-profile requirements. The parts range from multiple-output buck and boost DC-DC converters that provide basic power to sources for backlighting liquid-crystal displays. Several companies now offer combined circuits including integrated buck, boost, and buck-boost type integrated ICs. They provide power devices with advanced control and protection circuitry, which reduces the external circuitry and helps reduce the overall size and cost.

For example, the Sipex SP6641 boost controller is at the crest of the wave of new IC devices, offered by manufacturers in ever smaller sizes, with more finely tuned operational characteristics. It offers a high-current boost controller with low quiescent current and excellent accuracy over line, load and temperature variations designed for battery-powered handheld products. What makes this interesting is the minimal number of external components. It needs only four external components to configure the converter, including two capacitors, one inductor, and a diode. Just as noteworthy - the high performance specifications of the SP6641 allows you to save money by using less expensive external components for a better bottom line for the bill of materials.

The SP6641, packaged in a 5 pin SOT-23, is offered at $0.86 in 10,000-piece quantities. The SP6641 delivers up to 500mA of output current and consuming 10mA of quiescent current.

Datasheet for SP6641: http://www.sipex.com/newproducts.