austriamicrosystems launches high current low voltage 1MHz boost converter AS1326 while delivering 96% efficiency

austriamicrosystems (SWX: AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of analog integrated circuits (ICs) for communications, industrial, medical and automotive applications, further expanded its DC-DC converter portfolio with the AS1326: a synchronous, high efficiency, step-up DC-DC converter in a small TDFN 10-pin package. The AS1326 follows the AS1322 in doubling output currents while providing a high efficiency of 96%.

The AS1326 delivers 620mA at 5.0V from two AA cells or 470mA at 3.3V from a single AA cell and can provide adjustable output voltages in the range of 2.5 to 5V or fixed at 3.3V. Furthermore the AS1326 operates from a voltage between 0.7 and 5V while offering adjustable soft-start and current limit.

¡°Many portable devices need small but high efficiency power converter solutions to extend the time between battery replacement or recharge cycles. Additionally high output currents are required for power-hungry parts of such devices,¡± said Walter Moshammer, marketing director for standard linear at austriamicrosystems. ¡°austriamicrosystems AS1326 addresses this requirement by offering a  high output current even when input voltage drops as low as 0.7V. ¡±

The 1MHz fixed switching frequency minimises the PCB footprint by allowing the use of tiny, low profile inductors and capacitors. This constant frequency switching results in low, predictable output noise that can be easily filtered. Additionally the AS1326 can synchronise the switching frequency to an external clock between 500kHz and 1.2MHz offering the greatest possible flexibility.

Another feature of this device is the automatic powersave function which improves  efficiency at light loads. This significantly reduces the power consumption of the AS1326 and drastically increases battery life. During forced PWM mode, the AS1326 maintains fixed frequency operation and is therefore ideal for applications with the need for predictable and easily filtered output noise like mobile communications.

The high switching frequency and high efficiency combined with the small package size of 3x3x0.8mm of a 10-pin TDFN makes the AS1326 ideally suited for a variety of compact portable applications such as GPS receivers, mobile phones, digital still cameras, blood pressure meters and all other handheld devices where extended battery operation combined with high currents are critical. The AS1326 covers the industrial temperature range of -40¡ãC to +85¡ãC.