IC Power Supplies Information
Integrated circuit (IC) power supplies receive an unregulated input and provide a regulated output voltage. They take unregulated input, change and/or regulate it to another voltage level, and output the adjusted power. Using a regulated IC power supply ensures the safety and efficient use of circuitry that requires a narrow voltage range.
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Product Specifications
Important specifications when selecting IC power supplies include:
- Input voltage (VIN) ranges (e.g., 0.95 to 14 volts).
- Output voltage (Volt) can be fixed (e.g., 4 or 12 VDC) or adjustable, regulated or unregulated, same or opposite polarity. Output has a tolerance (a guarantee that it will remain within a certain range).
- Output current (Iout) ranges (e.g., 0.017 to 5 amps).
- Quiescent (operating or ground) current (IQ) powers the regulator itself and ranges (e.g., 0.00014 to 0.85 amps).
- The devices are designed to operate in a certain temperature range (e.g., -40 to 85 C).
For switch types, switching frequency (fsw) ranges (e.g., 112 kHz to 96 mHz), efficiency (through the duty cycle) can be at least a certain percentage (e.g., 74, 87).
Features
IC power supplies feature several main characteristics such as:
- Shutdown (inhibit) pins disable the output.
- Protective measures guard against reverse voltage, input overcurrent, or over heating (thermal shutdown)
- An error flag alerts when output has dropped (generally 5%) below its nominal value.
- One or multiple outputs exist.
- Synchronous rectification contrasts with diode rectification.
Applications
IC power supplies are found in computing, medical, military, telecommunications, and industrial equipment; indeed, anywhere a circuit board is used.
References
Choosing the Right Power-Supply IC for your Application
Linear & Switching Voltage Regulator Handbook
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