DC/DC converters target battery-powered CE devices

Microchip Technology Inc. has announced a family of positively-regulated charge-pump DC/DC converters. The MCP1256, MCP1257, MCP1258 and MCP1259 devices are said to switch automatically between 1.5x and 2x boost operation. They aim to help designers build more energy-efficient, longer-lasting dual-cell alkaline, NiCd, NiMH, single-cell Mn02 and similar coin-cell battery systems.

At light output loads, the MCP1256 and MCP1257 can be placed in "sleep" mode, where quiescent current is said to be lowered but regulated output voltage stays the same. Additionally, the MCP1258 and MCP1259 devices provide a bypass feature that connects the input voltage to the output, which biases the system's real-time clock and microprocessor/microcontroller with virtually no power drain from the charge pump itself, said the company. All the MCP125X devices have a low-noise output ripple of less than 20mVpp at load currents up to 100mA.

"Designers of battery-powered consumer electronics are challenged to create highly efficient products with low power dissipation and long battery life," said Qi Deng, senior product marketing engineer with Microchip's analogue and interface products division. "The products address these challenges. Plus, they provide other features important to our customers such as soft start, short-circuit protection and thermal protection. Their extended temperature operation (-40°C to 125°C) and small, thermally capable DFN packaging make them extremely versatile for the wide variety of environments with which our customers work."

The products suit battery-powered consumer electronics devices that require low power and utilise white LED backlights for liquid-crystal displays LCDs. Example devices include digital cameras, MP3 players, personal media players and digital multimedia broadcasting players. The devices are also appropriate for noise-sensitive industrial applications that involve white LED backlights for LCDs, such as thermostat controllers, machine control panels, handheld metres and scanners, and communications devices such as handheld GPS and two-way radio devices.

To help engineers evaluate and demonstrate the MCP125X charge pump DC/DC converters, Microchip is also offering the MCP1256/7/8/9 charge pump DC/DC converter evaluation board for Rs.1,548.75 ($35).

Pricing for the MCP1256, MCP1257, MCP1258 and MCP1259 charge pump converters is Rs.65.93 ($1.49) each in 10,000-unit quantities for all devices and package options. The devices are available in 10-pin MSOP or thermally capable DFN (3-by-3mm) packages.