Texas Instruments (TI) today introduced the first analog DC/DC step-down controller with remote bipolar junction transistor (BJT) temperature-compensated inductor current sensing that minimizes total solution footprint in high-power POL conversion.
The 20-V LM27403 DC/DC synchronous buck controller provides greater than 95-percent efficiency from a 12-V input at 25 A of output current to optimize solution size and deliver fast transient response in communications infrastructure, industrial, medical and power module applications. Used in conjunction with TI's award-winning WEBENCH® online design tool, the LM27403 simplifies DC/DC conversion and speeds the design process. For more information, samples and evaluation modules, visit www.ti.com/lm27403-pr. Watch a video on how to design a high performance converter here.
The temperature-compensated inductor DC resistance sensing improves the current limit accuracy to 10 percent over temperature by using a low-cost BJT to measure real-time temperature shifts, allowing the LM27403 to maintain a consistent current limit threshold across the operating temperature range. The current limit accuracy over temperature results in a smaller DC/DC converter footprint that reduces inductor over-design and allows for the use of smaller and lower-cost inductors. Watch a video demonstration of temperature-compensated inductor current sensing here.
The LM27403 provides a complete dynamic voltage solution when designed together with TI's LM10011 voltage identification (VID) interface controller and 30-V CSD87350Q5D synchronous buck NexFET™ Power Block MOSFET to adjust the core voltage (VCORE) of a VID-enabled processor, such as TI's TMS320C6000™ power-optimized DSPs and KeyStone™ based multicore DSPs.
Additional features and benefits
- Wide 3-V to 20-V input voltage range converts 3.3-V, 5-V and 12-V input voltage rails to point-of-load (POL) as low as 0.6 V with one-percent accuracy.
- 30-ns minimum on-time allows higher switching frequencies at lower duty cycles, providing greater scalability and smaller solution size.
- 15-ns adaptive dead-time control provides higher efficiency in high frequency operation, reducing power consumption. Download the regulator design tool here.
- Output voltage remote sensing gives improved load regulation in high current applications.
About WEBENCH tools from Texas Instruments
The WEBENCH Designer and Architect component libraries include more than 30,000 components from 120 manufacturers. Price and availability is updated hourly by TI's distribution partners for design optimization and production planning. Offered in eight languages, the user can compare complete system designs and make supply chain decisions in minutes. To start a cost-free design, visit TI's WEBENCH design environment at www.ti.com/webench-pr.
Availability, packaging and pricing
The LM27403 synchronous buck controller is available in volume now from TI and its authorized distributors. Offered in a 4-mm by 4-mm by 0.8-mm, 24-pin PowerPad™ WQFN package, the controller is priced at US$1.20 in 1,000-unit quantities.