NCV898031 - The New High Frequency SEPIC/Booster Controller from ON Semiconductor

Energy management in electronic products ensures only the correct amount of energy needed for the system to function correctly is used, converted or transferred. This becomes more critical with computing devices that are sensitive to power fluctuations.

The new high frequency single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC)/booster controller from ON (News - Alert) Semiconductor has been targeted for automotive applications. With increasing computing components being used in cars even the smallest device becomes essential.

A SEPIC is a type of a converter that allows the voltage at its output which is controlled by the duty cycle of the control transistor to be equal, more or less to that at its input. It is used in applications where the voltage can be higher or lower than the regulator’s intended output. The protection mechanism and voltage range makes it ideal for automotive instrumentation clusters, entertainment, navigation, and information systems.

The NCV898031 has a higher frequency which allows it to be used with cost inductors and output capacitors that are smaller and lower taking up less space. The addition of more and more components in automobiles means there is less space requiring reduction or miniaturization of many parts.

The controller has a wide input voltage range of 3.2V to 40 V with protection features with internally-set soft-start, cycle by cycle current limiting and thermal shutdown. The operational temperature range is from −40 °C to 150 °C or −40 °F to 302 °F allowing it to keep working even in the most extreme temperatures. With a price of only $1.02 for a 2500 unit quantity it is an inexpensive passive component with a RoHS-compliant SOIC-8 package.

The benefit of using this converter is it has a good transient response over a wide input voltage and load range with an accurate voltage regulation. With a low off-sate current consumption it is able to protect components from over current conditions and short circuit faults. Another way it offers protection is it disables start up if there is undervoltage and decreases current surge during a startup.

Jim Alvernaz, ON Semiconductor director of automotive products said, “The enhanced frequency performance exhibited by the NCV898031 will be of great benefit to design engineers as they look to curb costs and better utilize available space, allowing smaller, less expensive passive components to be specified, in addition, its low quiescent current level will help to meet the demanding ignition-off requirements now being expected within the automotive industry”

ON Semiconductor supplies high performance solutions for energy efficient electronics to solve the problems for the military, aerospace, medical, consumer, industrial and computing industries.

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