Switching regulator boasts lowest IQ for longer battery life
Claimed to have the industry’s lowest operating quiescent current (IQ), the TPS62840, at 60nA is around a third of the nearest competitive device, claims Texas Instruments. The synchronous step-down converter delivers light-load efficiency of 80 per cent at one microA load to extend the battery life of systems, or require fewer or smaller batteries to shrink power supply size and reduce cost.
Selectable functions enable the TPS62840 to be used in battery-powered, always-on industrial and personal electronics applications – including narrow-band Internet of Things (IoT), grid infrastructure equipment and wearables; all of which require an extended wireless range, improved accuracy and reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI).
The TPS62840’s selectable mode and stop functions improve noise performance and reduce signal distortion, to achieve system requirements without using more expensive precision signal-chain components, sensors or radio solutions to perform the same functions.
The mode pin allows for continuous conduction mode, also called forced pulse width modulation mode, to improve ripple or noise performance and lessen the impact on transmissions in sensitive radio-frequency applications.
The stop pin turns off all switching to reduce EMI or ripple, and minimises distortions passed to precision signal-chain, measurement, sensors or wireless connectivity
Engineers can use the new switching regulator to cut their battery count in half or use smaller batteries in their design. For example, designers can save up to 16,980 mm3 using four AAAs instead of four AAs.
The TPS62840’s wide input range of 1.8 to 6.5V accommodates multiple battery chemistries and configurations, such as two lithium manganese dioxide (2s-LiMnO2) cells in series, single-cell lithium thionyl chloride (1xLiSOCL2), four-cell and two-cell alkaline, and lithium polymer (Li-Po).
Pre-production samples of the TPS62840 are now available in eight-pin small outline no lead (SON) and six-pin wafer chip scale packages measuring 1.5 x 2.0mm and 0.97 x 1.47mm respectively. An eight-pin thermally enhanced package (HVSSOP), measuring 3 mm by 5 mm, will also be available later this year.
