Murata begins mass production of Micro DC-DC converter device series which saves space and reduces noise

Hoofddorp, Netherlands: Murata has begun mass production of its new Micro DC-DC converter device series, which will reduce the board space used by buck converters in battery powered devices. All items in this series measure 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.1mm (maximum) making them significantly smaller than discrete solutions. Murata's entire DC-DC solution for portable devices, including the Micro DC-DC converter device, occupies less than 10mm2 of board space, less than half the footprint of the same solution implemented with discrete components.

The LXDC2HL series of tiny buck converter devices are designed to be used with 2.3 to 5.5V from a source such as a Li-ion battery. The devices use a newly developed ferrite multilayer substrate which incorporates the power inductor, enabling very low levels of noise since noise from the power inductor is confined within the ferrite substrate. Length of the connection between the controller IC and the inductor is close to zero, also helping reduce noise emissions. Ferrite multilayer substrate technology is a process whereby up to 50 layers of different ferrite materials are pressed together to create embedded components and make a three-dimensional circuit within the substrate of the device, despite the tiny thickness of the substrate.

Seven models have been launched with output voltages of 1.2V, 1.35V, 1.5V, 1.8V (maximum load current: 600mA), 2.5V (500mA), 3.0V (400mA) and 3.3V (300mA). Typical efficiency for these parts is 88% (Vout: 2.5V). All models have an input voltage range of 2.3 to 5.5V and an operating temperature range of -40 to 85ºC. This series has a synchronous rectifier topology and its PFM/PWM auto-select function contributes to its overall efficiency. Switching frequency is 3MHz.

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