EL SEGUNDO, CA, May 13, 1996 -- International Rectifier (IR), the leading supplier of advanced semiconductors for power conversion applications, has developed a new power component solution that combines a HEXFET^® MOSFET and Schottky diode in a single SO-8 small outline package. Called FETKY, the new technology saves board space and reduces assembly costs in power converters and other power subsystems for high density applications.

"Power subsystem designers are continually challenged to develop more efficient, higher density and lower cost power converters to meet demands for ever smaller system form factors, " said Chris Davis, Product Marketing Manager, Discrete Products at IR. "Our new FETKY technology takes advantage of the decreases in MOSFET die size and ON-resistance achieved by IR's Generation V MOSFET process, as well as advances in packaging capabilities that reduce thermal resistance, to put two power semiconductors essential for the design of switching power converters in a single package."

Davis noted that in portable electronics application, the use of FETKY components in DC-DC converters would improve efficiency by reducing power drain on batteries, leading directly to longer battery life. For desktop systems, FETKY reduces the power dissipation and heat generation of converters which are often adjacent to other temperature-sensitive components like microprocessors. Both FETKY solutions offer substantial board space savings while reducing component count and assembly costs.

According to Davis, use of a FETKY in a standard buck converter affords a 60% savings in board space and the associated reduced assembly costs; for a typical synchronous converter board space savings of up to 44% can be achieved with FETKY, again with reduced assembly costs.

FETKY's will also be advantageous in many other power applications that require both a MOSFET and Schottky diode. One of the most common is where a Schottky diode protects the battery from a short circuit in the external adapter unit for portable systems. Here, board space savings of up to 60% can be achieved.

The FETKY Family

Initially, International Rectifier's new FETKY family is targeted at power converter applications and will include two components -- the IRF7422D2 containing a -20V, 90mohm p-channel HEXFET ^® power MOSFET and a 30V, 3A Schottky and the IRF7421D1 containing a 30V, 35mohm n-channel HEXFET^® with 30V, 1A Schottky. Both are packaged in standard SO-8 packages . FETKY samples are available off the shelf, with volume deliveries commencing in August 1996. More FETKY components with a range of MOSFET and Schottky ratings will be introduced over the next few months.

Contact the Technical Assistance Center or your local Sales Rep.