Philips Unveils New CSP DC/DC IC

Philips Semiconductors (The Netherlands), an affiliate of Royal Philips Electronics announced a chip scale package (CSP) version, "Flip Chip," of the TEA1207 low-cost DC/DC converter integrated circuit (IC). The device addresses the growing demand for smaller case sizes within the 'smart mobile' consumer product market for applications such as mobile and cordless telephones, PDAs and palm-top computers, where low-voltage, low-power CMOS logic is used to minimize battery drain.

Philips Semiconductors' TEA1207 features a digital control circuit that uses output voltage level as its control input, ensuring optimum power efficiency over the complete operating range of the DC/DC converter. The device maintains a conversion efficiency greater than 90% and enables down-conversion to voltages as low as 1.25 V for output currents between a few milliamps and 0.5 A.

The package offers lower profile (i.e., overall thickness), improved thermal and electrical performance, and excellent surface mount yields compared to fine lead pitch leaded devices. The package is compatible with existing surface mounts, test and handling equipment and standard body sizes/pin counts. Manufacturers benefit from potential lower cost of ownership compared to leaded devices due to reduced scrap, re-work and avoidance of the need for fine pitch assembly equipment.

The TEA1207 operates at a switching frequency in the range of 220 kHz and 330 kHz (275 kHz typical), which enables the use of very small inductor and capacitors. As a result, the complete DC/DC converter circuit can be accommodated in less than 1 cm2 of PCB area. The switching frequency can also be synchronized to an external clock to minimize Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) effects in critical applications such as mobile and cordless telephones. In addition, the TEA1207 has a precisely defined current limit, making it a perfect fit for use with Li-ion batteries, and an under-voltage lock-out circuit that prevents lock-up situations occurring at low supply voltages over a wide temperature range.

The TEA1207 can be used in an up-conversion mode to generate output voltages in the range of 2.8 V to 5.5 V, from input voltages greater than 1.8 V. The device's high efficiency over a wide range of output currents, in addition to its excellent dynamic response, make it particularly suitable for systems that employ intelligent power management to switch off unused sections of circuitry.

Philips Semiconductors' TEA1207UK is priced at $0.97 in 100,000 unit quantities and is currently available in volume production.