Eighth-Brick, POL Converters Tout High Current Rating

Claimed to be the industry's first high-current, point-of-load (POL) dc/dc converters, the LEN Series takes a 12V ±15% input, such as from an on-board intermediate bus, and converts it to 0.8V to 3.3V at 28A or 5V at 25A. The series uses a 2-phase, fixed frequency (320 kHz), buck regulator design that is said to deliver efficiencies ranging from 85% for 0.8 VOUT to 96% for 5 VOUT, low noise (20-30 mVP-P), quick step response (100 µs), and a wide operating temperature range (to 70°C) without derating. The new converters come in popular through-hole or SMT eighth-brick packages (2.3" x 0.9" x 0.46"), as well as in newly established, non-isolated eighth-brick pinout styles. The pinout doubles from 2 to 4 the number of output and return pins, with this interdigitated approach said to effectively halve losses due to pin resistance and inductance and also facilitate output filtering. The converters are assembled using high-temperature, lead-free alloys and offer a wide complement of I/O protection features. LEN Series non-isolated dc/dc converters are priced at $29 each/10,000. Samples and evaluation units are available from stock, with production quantities requiring 6-8 weeks. For more information, call John Levrault at DATEL INC., Mansfield, MA. (800) 233-2765.