Home \\ Company \\ Product Announcements \\ 2001

Semtech Strengthens Power Management Portfolio with Highly Integrated, High-Efficiency, Single-Phase Synchronous PWM Controller

Fixed-frequency buck regulator chip simplifies the design of single-ended,
+5V- and +12V-input nonisolated DC/DC power supplies having low parts count and up to 95% efficiency

Camarillo, California - December 03, 2001

Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for communications, computers, and industrial equipment, today announced the addition of the SC1104 Highly-Integrated Synchronous Voltage-Mode PWM Controller to its rich line of single-phase switching regulators. The SC1104 lends itself to the design of single-ended, DC/DC power supplies where key priorities are small circuit-board space and high efficiency. Working as a buck regulator for reducing input voltages between +4.5V and +13V to output voltages as low as 1V, the SC1104 is especially well suited for telecommunications, networking, and data processing equipment, serving as the central component for building low-cost point-of-load power supplies for microprocessors, peripheral cards, and industrial devices drawing load currents of up to 10A.

By sweeping several key functional blocks onto one chip in an SO-8 package, the SC1104 minimizes the number of components needed to build an efficient low-voltage power supply. Specifically embodied in the SC1104 are level shifting and 1A gate-drive circuitry, precluding the need for a costly P-channel, high-side FET switch; temperature-compensated, 1%-accurate voltage reference; externally compensated error amplifier; triangle-wave oscillator; and current-limit comparator. By reducing overall component count, the SC1104 not only conserves limited circuit-board space, it also cuts overall product cost and improves reliability.

"Present day DC/DC power supplies demand ever greater efficiencies, smaller footprints, and lower costs," notes George Georgalis, Semtech's Director of Telecom and Industrial Power Management. "The SC1104 adds a versatile, compact, and highly efficient synchronous voltage-mode PWM controller to Semtech's portfolio, giving telecom, datacom, and industrial equipment designers an important component for building high-density, single-ended, DC/DC power management systems."

The SC1104 is available in versions having fixed, and therefore easy to filter, switching frequencies of 300 kHz and 600 kHz. The choice of switching frequencies gives designers an added option for balancing efficiency, external component size, and cost to meet overall system needs. Specifically, 300-kHz operation gives the highest efficiency, up to 95%, but requires slightly larger components than the 600-kHz version. Alternatively, the smallest possible footprint is achieved by designing in the 600-kHz version, which is intended for use with a 5V input.

Other noteworthy features of the SC1104 include its externally adjustable, hiccup-mode RDS(on) overcurrent protection; automatic thermal shutdown; undervoltage lock out; and soft start turn on to prevent current surges during power up. The SC1104 maintains a better than 2% voltage regulation over specified line voltage, load current, and temperature variations.

The SC1104 comes in an SO-8 package and is rated to operate over the industrial temperature range of -40°C to +125°C.

Key Features of the SC1104

• highly integrated chip in SO-8 package minimizes cost and component count
• +4.5V to +13V input, as low as +1V output
• up to 95% efficiency
• 1% accurate voltage reference
• 300-kHz or 600-kHz fixed-frequency versions
• 1A source and sink FET-drive capability with level shifting
• adjustable hiccup-mode, RDS(on) overcurrent protection
• externally compensated error amplifier

Pricing and Availability

The SC1104 Highly-Integrated Synchronous Voltage-Mode PWM Controller is offered in 300-kHz (SC1104AISTR) and 600-kHz (SC1104BISTR) versions, with prices starting at $1.20 each in quantities of 10,000+. An evaluation board (SC1104EVB) is also available.

About Semtech

Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of high-quality analog and mixed-signal semiconductor products.  The company is dedicated to providing customers with proprietary solutions and breakthrough technology in power management, protection, advanced communications, human interface, test & measurement, and wireless connectivity products.  Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol SMTC.  For more information, contact Semtech Corp. at 200 Flynn Road, Camarillo, CA 93012-8790; phone (805) 498-2111; email to info@semtech.com; or visit its web site at www.semtech.com.

Press Contact

Terry Sears, Marketing Communications Manager, Telephone: 805.498.2111