High-Performance Power Management Product for High-Capacity Mobile Applications

Fairchild has launched a state-of-the-art digitally programmable buck-boost regulator for power supply applications used in smartphones, tablets, and other battery-powered portable devices.

The FAN49103 regulator, which combines industry-leading power density, minimal solution size, strict transient regulation, and best-in-class ripple performance, meets critical requirements for these power supply applications and joins the popular FAN49100 product family.

"Our FAN49103 is virtually the perfect buck-boost for smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices, making efficient use of limited board space thanks to its extremely compact solution size—84% smaller than the most comparable competing product," explains Richard Lu, vice president of Mobile Solutions at Fairchild, adding: "The FAN49103 can resolve the excessive heat generation and voltage drop issues that mobile device designers are working hard to address."

The FAN49103 reduces heat generation by delivering system power rails at the lowest possible voltage. This superior thermal performance prevents excessive heat that could affect normal device operation. This represents a significant advantage for smartphones, since smaller sizes are particularly prone to overheating. With the FAN49103, the need for heat sinks is reduced or eliminated entirely, reducing BOM (Bill of Materials) costs, simplifying design, and freeing up additional board space.

The FAN49103's high-speed transient response supports enhanced pulse load transitions, preventing voltage droop and thus reducing battery drop effects. It supports large loads up to 2.5A DC and maintains consistent output across the entire battery voltage range, ensuring the system operates normally even as battery voltage decreases.

The FAN49103 complements other products in the FAN4100 product family, including the recently released FAN49101 buck-boost regulator, and is being used by several pioneering manufacturers including LeEco, a manufacturer of smartphones, TVs, and other connected consumer devices.

"The FAN49101's ultra-low standby current particularly extends battery runtime from the factory to the end user, which simplifies circuit design and improves logistics control flow. Additionally, the FAN49101's outstanding load and line transient response capabilities maintain system stability across a wide range of operating conditions," explains David Kong, hardware manager at LeEco.

The FAN49103 is now available in a package size of just 1.6mm x 2.0mm and is offered in a 20-bump WLCSP package. For more information about Fairchild's mobile power portfolio, visit fairchildsemi.com/mobile.