Power Switch Melds FET With Slew Rate Controller

The melding of a P-channel MOSFET with a slew rate controller has yielded a new intelligent power switch that is said to provide excellent thermal and electrical performance while eliminating the need for several passive components. Capable of handling up to 3A, the FDC6901L load switch is targeted for use in cell phones and PDAs or in power management/safety applications, such as DVD players and set-top boxes. The device is said to provide a more repeatable and accurate method for controlling the FET switch's turn-on characteristics and to allow system designers to avoid resets or other system fault conditions caused by supply voltage variations. And with three programmable slew rates (600, 41 and 24 V/ms), FDC6901L power switch is said to be easily programmed to drive a wide range of capacitive loads. In a TSSOP-6 package, the device costs $0.66 each/1,000. For more details, contact Gary Baker at FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR, San Jose, CA. (321) 956-5674.