Step-down DC/DC converter with integrated MOSFETs touts high current density

Texas Instruments introduced a synchronous step-down DC/DC converter with integrated MOSFETs in a very small 3.5-mm by 3.5-mm HotRod™ QFN package. The SWIFT™ 10-A TPS54020 features the highest power density and includes frequency synchronization, 180-degree out-of-phase switching and selectable current limit to power FPGAs, system-on-chip (SoC), DSPs and processors in high-voltage, space-constrained communication, gaming and industrial computing applications. Using the converter together with TI's WEBENCH® online design tool simplifies high-voltage DC/DC conversion and speeds the design process. For more information and samples, visit www.ti.com/tps54020-pr. The new HotRod integrated circuit package protects the integrated MOSFETs from parasitic inductance and allows low resistance, enabling high current and efficiency and small size. The thermally enhanced, 15-lead package is 50 percent smaller than similar offerings. The TPS54020 joins TI's point-of-load DC/DC converter family, which includes the 6-A TPS54623 in a 3-mm by 3-mm QFN package, and the 12-A LM21212-1 and 15-A LM21215 converters, offered in a thermally enhanced eTSSOP-20 exposed pad package. Key features and benefits of the TPS54020 DC/DC converter ·Integrated 8-milliohm high-side and 6-milliohm low-side MOSFETs provide up to 96-percent efficiency from 12 V to 1 V. ·Selectable 6-A, 8-A and 10-A current limit thresholds allow optimization for efficiency at a lower output current, while reducing the size of external components. ·180-degree out-of-phase switching reduces input current ripple by up to 50 percent. ·200-KHz to 1.2-MHz adjustable switching frequency supports small output inductors and capacitors for further space savings. Availability, packaging and pricing The TPS54020 DC/DC converter is available in volume now from TI and its authorized distributors. It is offered in a 15-lead HotRod QFN package and is priced at US$3.45 in 1,000-unit quantities. Texas Instruments