DC/DC point-of-load buck converter

Louise Davis

Silanna Semiconductor has launched its integrated SZPL8216A family of synchronous point-of-load (PoL) buck converters. These DC/DC units integrate the functions of the DC/DC constant-on-time (COT) controller, output gate drivers and output power blocks all in one 3mmx4mm QFN package. They enable designers to achieve compact PCB layout, high power density and high efficiency for low power loss in space-constrained applications such as enterprise servers, telecommunications and networking equipment.

The SZPL8216A-A, SZPL8216A-B and SZPL8216A-C family of devices delivers up to 12 Amps with 94% peak efficiency when converting from a nominal 12V input down to a 0.6V to 5.5V output voltage range. Providing design versatility, the devices feature a selectable switching frequency, 600 kHz to 1 MHz, allowing users to make design-specific decisions to optimise their component size versus efficiency. With the ability to operate at 1MHz, designers can use a smaller output filter to minimise their total PCB solution size.

Other features include programmable current limit and soft start time; remote output voltage sensing; pre-biased start-up and a suite of power supply protection features including UVLO/OCP/OVP/UVP and OTP. Providing additional design versatility, the devices may operate from a single supply using their internal LDOs, or designers may bypass them and instead use an external 3.3V or 5V bias supply to increase conversion efficiency further.