IR PWM Controller IC Enables High Density, Low Current Point-of-Load Regulators

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — March 2006 — International Rectifier, IR®(NYSE: IRF), a world leader in power management technology, today introduced the IR3624, a 600kHz single-phase synchronous buck PWM controller IC designed for high density, 10A non-isolated point-of-load (POL) regulators used in networking and communications systems. The 600kHz switching frequency enables the use of a reduced footprint inductor and fewer output capacitors, saving board area. For example, when the new IR3624 is used with a pair of IR’s small can DirectFET® HEXFET® MOSFETs, such as the IRF6623 and IRF66636, a complete 10A regulator can be made to fit into 200 square millimeters of board space.

“The combination of the IR3624 with two small-can DirectFET MOSFETs allows designers to achieve twice the power density of previous solutions by reducing solution footprint by 45%,” said Faisal Ahmad, marketing manager for DC-DC Computing Products at International Rectifier.

For system robustness, the IR3624 features integrated thermal shutdown and programmable over-current limit protection. The IR3624 includes a 0.6V voltage reference, which allows a single POL regulator to support a wide variety of applications from ultra low-voltage DSPs to legacy 5V logic.

For applications below 5A, even higher density can be achieved by using one SO-8 dual N-channel HEXFET® MOSFET such as the IRF8910 to replace the two stand-alone MOSFETs and further shrink the board area to within 150 square millimeters.

To meet the tracking requirements of the latest ASICs and FPGAs during start-up, the IR3624 can start-up with a pre-biased output voltage without discharging the output. This feature simplifies regulator design for both the core and I/O voltages. Under-voltage lockout and programmable soft start features further help to limit in-rush currents and ensure proper power up of the regulator.

Part Number Package VIN Max.
(V)
VIN Min.
(V)
VOUT Max.
(V)
VOUT Min.
(V)
IMAX
(A)
IR3624MPbF 10L MLPD 14 4.5 VCC * 0.71 0.6 10

Recommended International Rectifier HEXFET® MOSFETs for Use with the IR3624
Part Number Package BVDSS Max.
(V)
Sync Rect Application RDS(ON) @ 10.0V Max.
(mOhm)
RDS(ON) @ 4.5V Max.
(mOhm)
VGS Max.
(V)
QG Typ.
(nC)
QGD Typ.
(nC)
QSW Typ.
(nC)
IRF6623 DirectFET® (ST) 20 Ctrl 5.7 9.7 ±20 11 4 5.2
IRF6636 DirectFET® (ST) 20 Sync 4.5 6.4 ±20 18 6.1 8
IRF8910 Dual SO-8 20 Ctrl & Sync 13.4 18.3 ±20 10 7.4 2.5

Availability and Pricing

Pricing for both the IR3624MPbF and the IR3624MTRPbF is US $0.85 each in 10,000-unit quantities, and are available either in tubes or Tape & Reel. Prices are subject to change. The devices are lead-free and are compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS).