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Semiconductor devices

National Semiconductor Announces High-Efficiency Switched Capacitor Voltage Regulator

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

National Semiconductor Corporation has introduced the first in a new class of high-efficiency switched capacitor voltage regulators, designed for dynamic step-up (boost) and step-down (buck) conversions. The LM3352 regulates 200mA DC-DC voltage converter, offering a high-efficiency alternative to LDO regulators and enabling users to take advantage of the full capacity of Lithium-ion batteries.

Key Takeaways:

  • The LM3352 achieves more than 80% average efficiency, maintaining high efficiency at high load currents through an entire Lithium-ion battery pack discharge cycle.
  • The device produces up to 200mA of output current, the highest available in a regulated switched capacitor DC-DC converter.
  • The unique fractional gain switching architecture implemented in the LM3352 helps maintain high efficiency at high load currents.
  • The LM3352 is the first switched capacitor to use an adaptive digital signal processing control system to optimize conversion efficiency and voltage regulation.
  • The device uses multiple fractional gain modes to provide a regulated output voltage between 1.8V and 4V from an input voltage between 2.5V and 5.5V.
  • Output voltages of 2.5V, 3.0V, and 3.3V are offered to match industry standard voltage requirements.
  • Non-standard output options between 1.8V and 4.0V in 100mV increments are also available.
  • The LM3352 combines switch matrix, voltage reference, shutdown logic, and control circuitry in a single 16-pin TSSOP package.
  • Operation at 1MHz allows use of small, low-cost 0.33 microfarad surface-mount capacitors.

Statistics:

  • 80% average efficiency
  • Up to 200mA of output current
  • Single 16-pin TSSOP package
  • Operation at 1MHz
  • 0.33 microfarad surface-mount capacitors
  • $2.75 per unit in 1,000-piece lots

Sources:

  • Business Wire, "National Semiconductor Introduces High-Efficiency Switched Capacitor Voltage Regulator" March 15, 1999
  • National Semiconductor Corporation, "LM3352 Data Sheet"
  • National Semiconductor Corporation, "National Semiconductor Provides System-On-A-Chip Solutions for the Information Age"
  • National Semiconductor Corporation, "National Announces 1998 Annual Sales of Approximately $2.5 Billion"

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