TI unveils industry’s smallest 12-V, 10-A DC/DC step-down power solution

Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today introduced a pair of 12-V, 10-A, 4-MHz step-down power modules that provide a power management solution that is 20 percent smaller than any other 10-A power module-based solution available today. The easy-to-use SWIFT TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 DC/DC modules integrate power MOSFETs, shielded inductors, input and output capacitors, and passives into a tiny, low profile footprint. In addition, it provides industry-leading performance, with as little as 1 percent overshoot in transient conditions without special magnetics or additional capacitors. For more information, samples and an evaluation module, see www.ti.com/tpsm84a21-pr.

By using the step-down power module together with TI’s WEBENCH^® Power Designer, engineers can get their space-constrained point-of-load (POL) telecom, networking, and test and measurement power-supply designs to market faster. TI will demonstrate the TPSM84A22 module in its booth (No. 701) at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC), March 27-29 in Tampa, Florida.

Unlike other 10-A step-down modules available today, the highly integrated TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 require just one external voltage-setting resistor for a complete 12-V step-down power solution. For an application such as powering tightly regulated field-programmable gate array (FPGA) rails, a typical 10-A module would require up to 16 external capacitors. In comparison, the TPSM84A21 provides ultra-low output ripple due to the very high 4-MHz switching frequency and integrated 185 microfarads of output capacitance, which maintains regulation accuracy without any external capacitors.

Download the application note, “How to Dynamically Adjust Power Module Output Voltage,” to find out how to change voltage-regulator output on the fly for supply-voltage margining, output tracking, adaptive voltage scaling (AVS), optimizing load power consumption and supporting different system operating modes.

TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 key features and benefits

• Tiny solution:A9-mm by 15-mm module and a single external voltage-setting resistor make up a complete solution footprint of 11 mm by 15 mm.
• Low profile: Measuring 2.3 mm in height, the small size, weight and bill of materials enable placement of the complete solution on the back side of a printed circuit board.
• Best transient performance: 4-MHz switching enables ±1 percent overshoot without any external capacitors.
• Easy to design: Integrated input and output capacitors eliminate the loop compensation and magnetics part selection from the design process. Use WEBENCH Power Designer to quickly create a complete 12-V, 10-A DC/DC step-down solution with just one voltage-setting resistor.

Read the two-part Power House blog series, “Deciphering module datasheets,” to learn what to look for in module datasheets to determine solution size and efficiency.

Availability, packaging and pricing
The TPSM84A21 with a voltage output of 0.55 V to 1.35 V and the TPSM84A22 with a voltage output of 1.2 V to 2.0 V are available in volume now through the TI store and authorized distributors. Offered in a 20-pin quad flat micro (QFM) package, the modules are priced at US$8.63 in 1,000-unit quantities. Order the TPS84A21EVM and TPS84A22EVM evaluation modules and download the PSpice transient models.

The TPSM84A21 and TPSM84A22 are the newest additions to TI’s broad portfolio of DC/DC power modules that integrate inductors, FETs, compensation, and other passive components into a single package to save board space and simplify prototyping, design, and manufacturing.

Find out more about TI’s power-management portfolio

• Get more information on TI’s high-performance DC/DC power module portfolio.
• Search for solutions, get help and share knowledge in the TI E2E™ Community Power Modules forum.
• Download power reference designs from the TI Designs reference design library.