It is supplied in a 6.25 x 6.25 x 2.42mm BGA package and only requires a few capacitors and one resistor to complete the design, says the company. The solution occupies less than 1cm² single-sided or 0.5cm² on double-sided PCBs.

A switching DC/DC controller, MOSFETs, inductors and supporting components are integrated in the device. It operates from a 1.8 to 5.5V input supply, and continues to operate down to 0.7V after start-up. The output voltage can be set by a single resistor ranging from 2.5 to 15V.

Target applications, suitable for the small, thin package and wide voltage range are optical modules, battery-powered equipment, battery-based back-up systems, bias voltage for power amps or laser diodes and small DC motors.

The µModule regulator can deliver 4A continuously under 3.3V in to 5V out, and 0.7A continuously under 3.3Vin to 12Vout. Synchronous rectification delivers up to 92% conversion efficiency (3.3Vin to 5Vout). The switching frequency is 1MHz, and this can also be synchronised to an external clock ranging from 500kHz to 1.5MHz. The switching frequency and dual phase single output architecture enable fast transient response to line and load changes and a significant reduction of output ripple voltage, claims the company.

There are three operation modes: Burst Mode operation, forced continuous mode and external sync mode. The quiescent current in Burst Mode operation is only 25µA, which provides extended battery runtime. For applications that require low noise operation, the forced continuous mode or external sync mode minimises possible interference of switching noise.

For protection there is an output disconnect during shutdown and inrush current limit at start-up, together with short-circuit, over-voltage and over-temperature protection.

 Operating temperature is -40 to 125°C. Evaluation boards are also available now.