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).
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