AnalogicTech provides power and protection functions with integrated single-chip buck converters and load switches

Supports USB 3.0 peripherals with the new compact, high-precision AAT2138

Santa Clara, California – August 2, 2011 – Advanced Analogic Technologies, Inc. (AnalogicTech™) (Nasdaq: AATI), an analog semiconductor company focused on providing innovative solutions to consumer, industrial, and telecommunications markets, today released the AAT2138, a 2.5A output current synchronous DC/DC converter featuring an integrated +/-10% precision current limit load switch designed to safely and efficiently regulate power for USB peripherals. Ability to support power levels exceeding those required by the USB 3.0 standard, the AAT2138 provides an ideal solution for a wide range of USB-powered devices, such as wireless modem data cards, portable hard drives, RAID systems, and card readers.

USB 3.0, with its higher power capacity, enables various peripherals to operate solely on USB power, eliminating the need for AC/DC adapters. Therefore, peripheral system designers must exercise great care to safely maximize the power that can be received from the USB host. “By providing the safety of a precision current limiting switch and 95% efficiency of a DC/DC converter, the AAT2138 enables system designers to develop small, energy-efficient products that never exceed the limits of USB power supply, even during rapid transients,” said Hensen Wong, Marketing Manager at AnalogicTech.

The AAT2138 is one of the smallest single-chip solutions on the market, offering maximum flexibility. Its wide range of features includes selectable PFM/PWM modes, an external sync clock of up to 3 MHz, independent enable pins for DC/DC converters and load switches, and adjustable output voltage and current limits. Additionally, it requires no external compensation circuitry, is optimized for small 1 µH inductors, and features a lead-free, thin 3 mm x 3 mm 14-pin TDFN package, making it ideal for space-constrained applications.

The AAT2138 is currently being shipped at a price of US$1.19 per 10,000 units. Unit prices for other quantities can be confirmed by contacting AnalogicTech or a distributor.

Key Features:
• Input voltage range: 2.7V - 5.5V
• Output voltage range: 3.0V or higher
• Low standby current: IQ = 90µA (typ.)
• Current limiting system load switch
• Adjustable current limit range: 500mA - 3A
• 1.5ms (typ) soft start
• ±10% high-precision current limit
• High-current step-down regulator
• Up to 95% efficiency
• 85mΩ High Side/50mΩ Low Side FET
• 2.8MHz (typ.) operating frequency
• 100% low dropout operation.
• No external compensation circuit required
• PFM/PWM or Forced PWM operation mode
• Supports 1MHz - 3MHz external clock
• Optimized for small 1uH inductors
• 1ms (typ) soft start
• Independent operating pin
• Temperature range -40°C - +85°C
• Overheating and overload protection features
• Lead-free, thin, 3mm x 3mm 14-pin TDFN package