Linear regulator suits high-current POL conversion for board-level applications

Advanced Power Electronics, a leading Taiwanese manufacturer of MOS power semiconductors for DC-DC power conversion applications, has introduced the APE8968MP-HF3, a new series of 3A, ultra-low dropout linear regulators designed to provide simple POL DC-DC conversion in board-level applications, including motherboard and notebook applications. Requiring two supply voltages - one for the control circuitry and the other for the main supply - the IC reduces power consumption and provides a dropout of just 0.23V (typ) at 3A. APE8968MP-HF3 integrates many functions, and has a Power-On-Reset (POR) circuit to monitor both supply voltages to prevent incorrect operation. Thermal shutdown and current limit protection features are included, and a POK indicates output status with a time delay which is set internally. The APE8968MP-HF3 can control another converter for power sequencing, and can also be controlled by another power system. Pulling and holding the EN pin below 0.4V shuts off the output. Comments Ralph Waggitt, President/CEO, Advanced Power Electronics Corp. (USA): "The APE8968MP-HF3 provides very fast transient response. Low cost multilayer ceramic chip capacitors can be used on the output since ESR is low, and output voltages can be adjusted by simple use of external resistors." The APE8968MP-HF3 is available in the ESOP-8 package, which is the same small size as an SO-8 device, but with an exposed pad to reduce the junction-to-case thermal resistance, making it suitable for 2-3W applications. Advanced Power Electronics