ROHM Electronics' switching regulator delivers space savings, high efficiency

ROHM Electronics announces the BD9870, a single-channel step-down switching regulator that offers high efficiency, exceptional space savings, design simplicity and high reliability for a variety of applications, including TVs, DVD players, gaming consoles, PCs, car audio and navigation systems, industrial and office equipment, as well as entertainment systems.

The BD9870 integrates a switching voltage regulator, 1.5 A-rated p-channel power MOSFET and compensation circuitry into a compact TO-252S-5 package.

Eliminating external feedback compensation components makes complete design possible using only an external coil, diode and output capacitor. In addition, the device’s industry-leading 900 kHz operation permits use of a smaller coil and ceramic output capacitor, which, when combined with the regulator’s internal features, results in a 60 percent board-space savings compared with current solutions on the market.

Compared with competitive, compensation-integrated switchers, the BD9870 IC offers the industry’s highest efficiency (88 percent) and output accuracy (±1.0%), the lowest bias current (3 mA) and zero standby current.

The input voltage can range from 8 to 35 volts, with output voltage adjustable down to 1 volt. A (5 ms, fixed) soft-start feature is also included.

Reliability is enhanced by internal protection circuits, including thermal shutdown (TSD) and over-current protection (OCP).

The combined benefits of the BD9870’s small package size, high switching frequency, minimal external components and integrated protection circuitry result in a compact, efficient and highly reliable switching power supply that is as simple to design in and use as an LDO, according to the company.