Enpirion DC-DC Buck Converter Features Integrated Inductor, Shatters 1A/3W Power-Density Barrier

Integration drives footprint reduction, simplifies design, reduces noise

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the Embedded Systems Conference (Booth 1037-B), Enpirion, Inc. announced the release of a breakthrough 1A DC-DC converter that delivers a staggering power density of 50 Watts-per-square-inch. The EN5312QI features an integrated inductor, which simplifies design and reduces footprint, part count and noise. Housed in a tiny 5mm x 4mm x 1.1mm QFN package, the part needs just two low-cost ceramic capacitors for a complete solution. With an input voltage range of 2.4V to 5.5V, and programmable output voltages as low as 0.6V, the EN5312QI is ideally suited for powering FPGAs, ASICs, DSPs, and microprocessors.

With a market-wide emphasis on reducing power consumption and improving thermal performance for embedded solutions, the new Enpirion part provides a simple, seamless approach to the transition from low efficiency linear regulators to high-efficiency switch-mode regulators. While traditional switch-mode implementations are highly sensitive to layout and inductor placement, Enpirion's integrated inductor eliminates this sensitivity, yielding a robust, low noise solution requiring only a tiny footprint.

"Ease of design and high performance are the hallmark of all Enpirion products, and the EN5312QI is no exception," stated Michael Laflin, Enpirion's Director of Marketing. "Combining this level of performance with high power-density provides our customers with the tools to truly differentiate their products, in an often crowded marketplace."

The EN5312QI incorporates voltage mode control with a very high switching frequency to provide a wide bandwidth control loop, which enables excellent transient performance, with high noise immunity. Its unique architecture allows for stability over a wide range of input and output conditions, and its output capacitance ranges between 10uF to 60uF without the need for external compensation adjustment. The result is an extremely robust part with fast transient response. Output voltage is programmed via a 3-pin VID, allowing designers to choose one of seven pre-programmed output voltages, or an external resistor divider can be used. With a typical output voltage ripple of only 5mV peak-to-peak, the EN5312QI is ideal for noise sensitive loads and applications.

Switching frequency is the key to integration for the EN5312QI. Since the inductance requirement has an inverse proportionality relationship with switching frequency, high switching frequency means that a very small inductance can be used. Small inductance combined with Enpirion's patented semiconductor, magnetics and packaging techniques are what make this level of integration possible.

"The trick is to develop a low loss CMOS process," states Jian Tan, Enpirion's Director of Process Development. "The EN5312QI is built on deep sub-micron CMOS so that it can operate at up to 5MHz and yet exhibit the same loss characteristic as the much older and slower process technology in use today."

Pricing & Availability

The EN5312QI synchronous buck DC-DC converter is available immediately. Pricing in quantities of 1,000 units is $1.41.

About Enpirion

Enpirion is the leading developer of Power Systems on Silicon solutions. Enpirion utilizes a fabless manufacturing model and partners with the industry's leading manufacturing houses to provide the highest degree of quality and reliability possible. Enpirion's products are designed into a broad range of applications including computing, set-top boxes, consumer electronics, telecommunications equipment, handheld devices, cellular handsets and more. For additional information about Enpirion and its award-winning products, please visit www.enpirion.com.