Switcher Automatically Selects PWM or PFM

Microchip Technology’s MCP1603 is a 2-MHz, 500-mA switching regulator that can automatically transition from pulse-width modulation (PWM) to pulse-frequency modulation (PFM). The switcher also provides adjustable and fixed output voltages, and operates with up to 90% efficiency.

The switcher features a quiescent current of 45 μA, and standby current of 100 nA. The input voltage range is 5.5 V to 2.7 V, and either an adjustable output voltage range of 0.8 V to 4.5 V or a fixed output voltage range of 1.2 V to 3.3 V is available. The MCP1603 switching regulator is available now in TSOT-23 and 2 mm x 3 mm DFN packages, for $0.88 each and $0.95 each, respectively, in 10,000-unit quantities.