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F U T U R E T E C H N O L O G Y M A G A Z I N E

I S S U E 1 2 1 0

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Design Notes: pages 12-13Better appliance motor-drives with new and improved digital-signal controllers

Technical View: pages 22-23 How to choose a transformer for a switched-mode power supply

Application Spotlight: pages 14-20SX9511; Semtech’s single chip for energy-saving HMIs

Component Focus: pages 2-11 Freescale’s i.MX 6 application processors; the ultimate user-experience family

NXP’s Class-D IC for premium car-audio marketNXP Semiconductors has unveiled a newautomotive stereo Class-D amplifier that has asupply-voltage range up to 48V, giving designersthe extra flexibility to drive high-ohmic speakersthat are lighter, smaller and more cost efficient.

The TDF8599C delivers audiophile-qualitysound with high power output and efficiencyfor use in sound systems targeting premiumcars. The new amplifier delivers its outstandingaudio credentials with the high energyefficiency expected of a Class-D design,producing minimal waste heat and allowingdesigners to create slim and stylish designswith smaller heatsinks.

Murata reveals world’s smallestceramic capacitorMurata has developed the world’s smallestmonolithic ceramic capacitor. The 0201-sizeddevice has a footprint of 0.25mm x 0.125mmand occupies approximately 25% of thevolume of equivalent 0402 devices.

Monolithic ceramic capacitors areassembled into all kinds of electronic devices;around 400 to 500 of them are used in thelatest smartphones, claims Murata. As endusers demand more and more features insmall mobile devices, increasing volumetricefficiency continues to be an important targetfor equipment designers as well as componentvendors. ‘Murata has successfully developedthe 0201 ceramic monolithic capacitor bycombining element technologies it has built upover the years,’ the company said.

Exar extends space-efficient buckregulator family Exar has added to its PowerBlox™ family ofhigh-voltage and high-current step-downregulators by introducing the XRP7659,featuring an integrated 1.5A high-side MOSFETswitch and control-loop compensationallowing the device to offer the smallest totalsolution footprint of the whole PowerBloxfamily. The latest regulator provides built-insafety features like output over-voltage, over-temperature, cycle-by-cycle over-current andUnder-Voltage Lockout (UVLO) protection.

With a fixed-frequency operation of1.4MHz, enabling the use of small externalcomponents, and optimised for a 12V inputvoltage, the XRP7659 is suitable for a varietyof consumer-oriented applications such asinfotainment equipment and set-top boxes. Itis also ideal for distributed power architecturesand for generic point-of-load conversions.

S T A R P R O D U C T

2 E M A I L I N F O @ M Y - F T M . C O M F O R S A M P L E S A N D D A T A S H E E T S

Combining the advanced performance andpower efficiency of the Cortex-A9 architecturewith advanced 3D and 2D graphics, supportfor high-definition video, comprehensivesecurity and the option of an Electronic PaperDisplay (EPD) controller, the i.MX 6 seriesprovides a platform for next-generationmultimedia-centric applications such astablets and advanced Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI).

With options includingLVDS, HDMI v1.4, MIPI® DSIdisplay port and MIPI CSI-2camera port, as well as theability to support up to fourscreens simultaneously, thei.MX 6 series provides theflexibility to develop tailored,market-specific solutions withfaster time to market.

The platform includes thei.MX 6Solo single-corefamilies; the i.MX 6DualLiteand i.MX 6Dual two-corefamilies; and the i.MX 6Quadfamily featuring four Cortex-A9cores running at up to 1.2GHz.These families are pin and software compatible,allowing developers to create a large portfolioof differentiated products quickly and costeffectively.

The i.MX 6Quad family has 1Mbyte of L2cache, and support for 64-bit DDR3 or 2-channel, 32-bit Low-Power DDR2 (LPDDR2),and also integrates LVDS, MIPI display andcamera ports, and HDMI v1.4 to provide aplatform for consumer, automotive andindustrial multimedia applications.

The i.MX 6Dual family provides dual coresrunning up to 1.2GHz with 1Mbyte of L2 cacheand 64-bit DDR3 or 2-channel, 32-bit LPDDR2support. Leveraging the same integration asthe i.MX 6Quad family, the i.MX 6Dual providesa scalable solution for consumer, automotiveand industrial applications.

The i.MX 6DualLite family introduces dualcores running at up to 1.0GHz with 512kbyteof L2 cache, and 64-bit DDR3 or 2-channel, 32-bit LPDDR2 support. Integrated LVDS, MIPIdisplay and camera ports, and HDMI v1.4 allowuse in consumer and industrial applicationssuch as media or market-specific tablets.The i.MX 6Solo family has 512kbyte of L2 cache

and 32-bit DDR3/LPDDR2 support, andintegrates LVDS, MIPI display and camera ports,HDMI v1.4, FlexCAN and Media Local Bus(MLB) to deliver a flexible platform for a variety ofconsumer, automotive and industrial applications.

In addition, i.MX 6SoloLite devices combinea single core running at up to 1.0GHz with256kbyte of L2 cache and 32-bit DDR3/LPDDR2support, as well as EPD and LCD controllers,making this family ideal for next-generationeReaders and smart devices.

Together with a robust ecosystem, i.MX 6provides the ideal platform to develop aportfolio of end devices leveraging commonhardware design. The processors support arange of popular operating systems, includingAndroid™ Version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich),Linux®, QNX®, Ubuntu® and Windows®

Compact 7. Easy-to-use solutions based onthe processors come complete with reference

designs, software and turnkeydevelopment technologies that simplify

system design.

FREESCALE

my-ftm.com/121001FOR PARTS ANDLATEST PRICING

©Copyright 2012 Future Electronics Ltd. All trademarks contained herein arethe property of their respective owners. Applications for product samples,badge boards, demonstration boards, Future-Blox Boards and otheradvertised materials from Future Electronics are subject to qualification.

Newsin brief

Freescale’s i.MX 6 series of applicationprocessors provides designers with atruly scalable platform based on theARM® Cortex™-A9, comprising single-,dual- and quad-core families that allowdesigners to scale performance andleverage software investment acrossnumerous applications and markets.

Scalable application processor platform powersunprecedented multimedia performance

APPLICATIONS• 3D gaming devices• Medical equipment• Industrial instrumentation and control

panels• Automotive infotainment• Smart books• Home energy-management systems

FEATURES• Multi-stream-capable HD video engine• 200MT/s 3D graphics engine• Separate 2D acceleration• Stereoscopic image-sensor support• Market-specific I/Os such as USB2.0,

PCI Express® SATA II, FlexCAN

ENERGY MEDICAL LIGHTING INDUSTRY SECURITY AUTOMOTIVE


EVALUATIONBOARDS AT my-boardclub.com/ftm

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3V I S I T T H E O N L I N E F T M M A G A Z I N E A T: W W W . M Y - F T M . C O M

C O M P O N E N T F O C U S

Stackable 50Mbd transmitters and receivers savespace, utilise low-cost optical fibre

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES

Integrated buck voltage regulatorsprovide smallest jitter-free pulse widths

The latest SupIRBuck regulators can supply high-speed loads such as DDR memory

Combined with robust source/sync current-handling capability, the ability to generatenarrow pulses also makes this family ideal forgenerating DDR-memory termination voltagedirectly from a 12V supply. In addition, theintegration of a smart LDO helps to furtherincrease the SupIRBuck’s outstandingefficiency within the same compact footprint.

Enhanced features include switchingfrequency up to 1.5MHz, pre-biased start-up,input voltage-aware enable, voltage tracking,and a programmable power-good signal.Additionally, the devices deliver reference-voltage accuracy of 0.5%, enhanced line/loadregulation with input voltage feed-forward andthermal compensation for current limit tosatisfy evolving requirements in telecom,netcom, server and storage applications.

APPLICATIONS• Distributed point-of-load power

architectures• Networking, server and storage power

supplies• Embedded telecom systems

FEATURES• Analogue input for margining• Integrated PLL• Start/stop ramp• 1.0V minimum input voltage



APPLICATIONS• Industrial control and factory automation• Extension of RS-232 and RS-485• High-voltage isolation• Elimination of ground loops

FEATURES• Withstands repeated stacking/unstacking• 21mA/20mA transmitter/receiver supply

current• 30ns transmitter/receiver propagation

delay• ±3ns transmitter pulse-width distortion• ±4ns receiver pulse-width distortion



Freescale’s Vybrid MCUs: page 16PARTNERWORKING

ON Semi’s NCP1030/31A: page 7NXP’s PMZ series: page 9PARTNERWORKING

The third generationof InternationalRectifier’s SupIRBuck®

synchronous buckvoltage regulatorsfeature a newlypatented modulator

scheme that generates the industry’ssmallest, jitter- free pulse widths,enabling customers to achieve higherclosed-loop bandwidth resulting infaster transient response and loweroutput capacitance.

Part Number Package Input-voltage

RangeOutput-voltage

RangeOutputCurrent Switching Frequency Reference

Design

IR3895M PQFN 5x6 1.0V – 21V 0.5V – 86%VIN 16A 300kHz – 1,500kHz IRDC3895





The tilted and horizontal versions are stackedin similar ways, by engaging the L bracket withthe corresponding L slot on the adjacenthousing.

The interlocking property of the Versatile Linkhousings allows stacking of devices to savespace, and the housings are enclosed toprovide a dust-resistant seal. In addition, avariety of snap-action duplex connectors is

available, whichcombine with thisinterlockingcapability to enablecompact and

convenientconnections inapplications requiringtwo or more

channels. Snap-actionsimplex connectors are

also available, as arevarious POF cables.Both the transmitter and

receiver can be inserted automatically and arecompatible with wave soldering. Thetransmitters, receivers and simplex connectorsare colour coded to eliminate confusion whenmaking connections.

Avago Technologies’ latest VersatileLink optical transmitters and receiverscan exchange signals from DC up to50MBd at distances up to 50 metersthrough 1mm Polymer Optical Fibre(POF), and are available inhorizontal or tiltedversions of theinterlocking VersatileLink housing.

The AFBR-1624Z/1629Ztransmitters and AFBR-2624Z/2529Z receivers featurethe horizontal housing, whichallows the connector to beinserted in line with the axisof the carrier board.

For applications where an angled connectorentry is preferred, for example to save spaceor reduce stress on cables, the AFBR-1644Ztransmitters and AFBR-2644Z receiversfeature a receptacle that is tilted at 30°.

Receivers are black and transmitters are grey,and both types are made of a flame-retardantVALOX® UL 94 V-0 material.

The IR3894M and IR3895M, in the slim PQFN5mm x 6mm package, deliver 12A and 16Aoutput current respectively and achieve morethan 96% peak efficiency. The IR3897M,IR3898M and IR3899M in a 4mm x 5mmPQFN deliver 4A, 6A and 9A respectively, andfulfil low duty-cycle single-input applicationsfrom 5V or 6.8V to 21V. The common footprintof the devices provides design flexibility andspeeds up board layout. SupIRBuck referencedesigns are also available, featuring each ofthe third-generation devices.

INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER

Off-line LED drivers maximise integration, savingboard space, cost and design time


The Fairchild Semiconductor FLS0116,FLS3217 and FLS3247 are off-line LEDdrivers featuring an integrated powerMOSFET and PFC circuitry, whicheffectively reduce component count,shorten design time and simplifyproduction of low-power lighting.


The FLS0116 has self-biasing high-voltagestart-up and is able to detect the presence ofan AC or DC input voltage automatically toenable or disable the PFC circuitry asappropriate. The internal smart-PFC circuitryrequires no additional pins for detecting input-phase information, or an electrolytic capacitorfor voltage stabilisation, thereby saving cost andsimplifying circuit design. The FLS0116 also hasprogrammable oscillation frequency, supportfor analogue dimming, and a soft-start function.Its integrated MOSFET is able to supplycontinuous LED-driving current of up to 1A.

The FLS3217 and FLS3247 can supply acontinuous output current of 1A and 4A

respectively. The devices allow primary-sideregulation, enabling a simplified design with nofeedback circuitry or input bulk capacitor. Thedevices can be used for isolated flybackconverters and non-isolated DC/DCconverters. Additionally, the devices achievehighly accurate output-current regulation byusing a precise constant-current controlfunction. Linear frequency control, in which the

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR

Zero-drift op-amps deliver superiorprecision with low power consumption

The MCP6V11 and MCP6V31 provide various package andpin-out options

MCP6V11 and MCP6V31 zero-driftoperational amplifiers from Microchip arelow-power, single-supply devices withmaximum input-offset voltage of 8µVand featuring a self-correctingarchitecture to maintain high accuracyacross time and temperature.

The MCP6V11 has gain-bandwidth product of80kHz, typical quiescent current of only 7.5μA,and operates from a supply voltage as low as1.6V. The MCP6V31 provides 300kHz of gain-bandwidth product, coupled with typicalquiescent current of 23μA, and operates froma 1.8V to 5.5V supply. This enables thesedevices offer among the lowest quiescent

The MCP6V11 and MCP6V31 are bothavailable in small 5-pin SOT-23 and 5-pin SC-70packages, enabling minimal use of board space,ease of system design and reduced cost.

Both devices are unity-gain stable, havezero 1/f noise and provide superior Common-Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) of 119dB in theMCP6V11 and 120dB in the MCP6V31.

Power-Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR) is118dB in the MCP6V11 and 120dB in theMCP6V31.

MICROCHIPcurrents in the industry, for the bandwidthprovided, and are suitable for use in a varietyof portable and battery-powered applications.

In addition to saving power, the low operatingvoltage and low quiescent current also help tosimplify thermal design in the end application.

APPLICATIONS• Decorative LED lighting• Low-power LED lighting

FEATURES• Application input-voltage range: 80V AC

to 308V AC• Cycle-by-cycle current limiting• Low operating current• Over-temperature protection• Open/short-LED protection

(FLS3217/3247)



APPLICATIONS• Portable medical devices• Industrial sensor-conditioning circuitry• Instrumentation• Temperature measurement• DC-offset correction

FEATURES• ±50nV/°C maximum input offset-voltage drift• DC open-loop gain:

120dB (MCP6V11)135dB (MCP6V31)

• Rail-to-rail input and output• Extended temperature range:

-40°C to 125°C



operating frequency is proportionally changedaccording to the output voltage to guaranteeDiscontinuous Current Mode (DCM) operation,helps to simplify design and maximiseefficiency.

Part TypePin Assignments

Package OptionsPin 1 Pin 2 Pin 3 Pin 4 Pin 5

MCP6V11 VOUT VSS VIN+ VIN- VDD SOT-23

MCP6V11U VIN+ VSS VIN- VOUT VDD SOT-23, SC70

MCP6V31 VOUT VSS VIN+ VIN- VDD SOT-23

MCP6V31U VIN+ VSS VIN- VOUT VDD SOT-23, SC70



BISS transistors target ultra-small DFN packagefor board-space savings

NXP SEMICONDUCTORSAPPLICATIONS

• DC/DC converters• Battery chargers• Backlight drivers• LED-lighting drivers• Supply-line switching

FEATURES• Open-base collector-emitter voltage:

• ±15V (PBSS2515MB/PBSS3515MB)• ±40V (PBSS2540MB/PBSS3540MB)

• Saturation voltage:• ±25mV (PBSS2515MB/PBSS3515MB)• ±50mV (PBSS2540MB/PBSS3540MB)

• AEC-Q101 qualified



NXP Semiconductors has added 15Vand 40V Breakthrough In Small-Signal(BISS) transistors featuring lowsaturation voltage(VCEsat), with fourvariants providingcomplementary NPNand PNP devicespackaged in theultra-small andleadless DFN1006B-3(SOT883B) plasticpackage.

The four devices available arethe 15V NPN PBSS2515MB, -15V PNP PBSS3515MB, 40V NPN

PBSS2540MB and -40V PNP PBSS3540MB.By offering saturation voltage as low as±25mA, these devices enable designers toachieve high circuit efficiency and low power

losses, with the addedadvantage of lower heat

generation compared to usingsimilar standard transistors.

The devices have a lowmounted height of

0.37mm, enabling usein low-profileapplications. With theirhigh collector-currentcapability of ±500mA,these devices allowdesigners to miniaturiseload-switching,

Switched-Mode Power Supply(SMPS) and power-management circuitry

in high-volume consumer, communication,computing and automotive equipment.

Miniature load-switching MOSFETs enhance efficiency,reliability and space savings

The latest improvements in on-state performance enable portable devices to run for longerbefore charging

Designed specifically for load-switchingand battery-charging duties in portableconsumer products, the FairchildSemiconductorFDMA910PZ andFDME910PZT are singleP-channel PowerTrench®

MOSFETs in MicroFET®

packages that combinehigh thermal performanceand small physical size.

The devices have a voltagerating of -20V and low on-state resistance, and aresuitable for switching orlinear-mode applications. To prevent device failures dueto Electrostatic Discharge(ESD), the MOSFETs areequipped with optimisedzener-diode protection. This circuitry also ensures lowgate-to-source leakagecurrent (IGSS). The maximumIGSS is ±10μA in theFDME910PZT and ±1μA inthe FDMA910PZ.

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR The FDMA910PZ is packaged as a 2mm x 2mmMicroFET device, which has a low profile of0.8mm and is rated for Human-Body Model(HBM) ESD protection greater than 2.8kV. TheFDME910PZT utilises the smaller 1.6mm x1.6mm x 0.55mm MicroFET package, and hastypical HBM ESD protection of greater than 2kV.

APPLICATIONS• Tablet PCs• Universal remotes• Personal medical devices• Battery-powered appliances

FEATURES• Leadless package• Exposed thermal drain pad• Low gate-current leakage• Operating-temperature range:

-55°C to 150°C

Device CurrentRating

On-resistanceat rated

current andVGS = 4.5V

Package

FDMA910PZ -9.4A 20mΩ

2mm x2mm x0.8mm

MicroFET

FDME910PZT 24mΩ -8A

1.6mm x1.6mm x0.55mmMicroFET



50% smaller transient over-voltage protectiondiodes save extra board space



LITTELFUSE

56% smaller Xtrinsic accelerometers help minimisesystem power consumption

The MMA8652FC has multiple configurable motion-detection channels to wake the host from sleep mode

The Freescale MMA8652FC andMMA8653FC Xtrinsic 3-axisaccelerometers utilise a 2mm x 2mm x1mm DFN package to occupy 56%less volume than equivalent earlierdevices, and provide a variety of user-configurable features that help tominimise the power consumptionassociated with inertial sensing inmobile and portable devices.

power management that enables the systempower consumption to be reduced by over96% when using the i.MX processor.

The MMA8653FC is a competitively priceddevice that features a 10-bit digital output andprovides embedded freefall and portrait/landscape orientation detection.

FREESCALEThe options provided include a choice of sixselectable sample rates that can be set over awide range from 1.5 to 800 samples persecond. The accelerometer operating currentis proportional to the sample rate. The devicesfeature embedded motion-detection channelswhich are configurable to two interrupt outputsthat can be connected to the host controller.This allows the accelerometer to monitorinertial events while in a low-power mode, andgenerate wake-up interrupt signals from anycombination of events to save the hostcontinuously polling data. In addition, bothdevices provide access to either low-pass orhigh-pass filtered data, which minimises the

data analysis requiredfor jolt detection andfaster transitions.

The MMA8652FChas a 12-bit digitaloutput, and a highsensitivity of 1mg percount. It also has fourembedded motion-detection channels,enabling anycombination of freefall,transient, portrait/landscape orientationor tap detection towake the host. An embedded 32-bitFIFO allows for smart

APPLICATIONS• Hard-disk drives• Ultra-slim notebooks• Portable data terminals• Point-of-sale equipment• Business machines• Smartphones

FEATURES• Lowest profile in the industry

50% smaller than SMA• Multiple voltage options• Operating temperature range:

-55°C to 150°C



APPLICATIONS• eCompass• Human-machine interfaces • Gaming and virtual reality• Hard-disk protection• Real-time activity analysis

FEATURES• Supply-voltage range: 1.95V to 3.6V • ±2g, ±4g, and ±8g dynamically selectable

full-scale ranges• I2C digital-output interface• Self test• 10-pin DFN package




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Littelfuse SMF series 200W TVSdiodes deliver the latest inminiaturisation, with a footprint half thesize of the industry-standard SMApackage and heightprofile of only1.1mm allowinguse in portabledevices and otherspace-constrainedindustrial andconsumerapplications.

The SMF package is compatible withthe industry-standard SOD-123 plasticpackage, and is 2.0mm wide with maximumlength of 3.9mm including terminals.

This allows designers to maximise utilisation ofPCB space. By providing 200W peak pulse-power surge capability, with a 10x1000μswaveform, in ultra-small dimensions, the SMFseries is an excellent choice for protectingvulnerable circuits such as I/O interfaces andsupply-voltage buses.

The devices have low inductance resulting inoutstanding voltage-clamping capability, andhave a stand-off voltage range from 5V to 54V.The SMF series also offers a very fast

response time, typically less than 1nanosecond from 0V to the minimum

breakdown voltage. Thedevices comply with

important industrystandards, includingIEC 61000-4-2 level4 for ESD immunity

and IEC 61000-4-4 for EFTprotection of

data lines.



High-voltage DC/DC converters integrate power,logic and protection circuitry

The highly integrated NCP1030A and NCP1031Atarget applications up to 3W and 6W

ON SEMICONDUCTOR

Vishay VLMx1300 LEDs, featuringinnovative ChipLED processtechnology, deliver high brightnessfrom a small and super-thin 0603-sizedsurface-mount package, to satisfyspace-constrained applicationsrequiring intense illumination.

The LEDs have an extremely wide 130°viewing angle, and are available in super-red,soft-orange, yellow, yellow-green, true-green,blue, and white colour variants. The colourLEDs have luminous intensity as high as450mcd at a forward current of 20mA and a

maximum forward voltage of 3.8V. Blue isavailable with a protection diode that providesESD immunity up to 8kV. The white LED has amaximum luminous intensity of 180mcd at aforward current of 5mA and a maximumforward voltage of 3.15V.

VISHAY

ON Semiconductor has introduced theNCP1030A and NCP1031A, miniaturehigh-voltage monolithic DC/DCconverters with on-chip power switchand start-up circuits.

The new devices are improved, pin-compatibleversions of the NCP1030 and NCP1031respectively. They offer ahigher cycle-by-cyclecurrent limit, a featurewhich helps preventcurrent inrush on start-up,and have a new highshut-down threshold of165°C, compared to150°C in NCP1030/31.

The NCP103xAdevices incorporate in asingle IC all the activepower, control-logic andprotection circuitryrequired to implement,with few external

components, a number of switching regulatorapplications, such as a secondary-side biassupply or a low-power DC/DC converter. Boththe NCP1030A and the NCP1031A can beconfigured in any single-ended topology suchas forward or flyback.

The NCP1030A is intended for applicationsdriving up to a 3W load, whilst the NCP1031Ais for loads up to 6W. Both devices have ahigh breakdown voltage of 200V in theirpower-switch and start-up circuits.

The internal error amplifier allows theNCP103xA family to beeasily configured for use as asecondary- or primary-sideregulator in isolated andnon-isolated configurations.The fixed-frequencyoscillator is optimised foroperation up to 1MHz andsupports external frequencysynchronisation, providingadditional design flexibility.

In addition, the partsincorporate individual lineunder-voltage and over-voltage detectors to protectthe controller under fault

APPLICATIONS• Displays for industrial control systems• Traffic displays• Display backlights• Office equipment,• Indoor and outdoor message boards

FEATURES• 0.8mm overall height• Maximum luminous intensity

• 450mcd (colours)• 180mcd (white)

• ±65° angle of half intensity



APPLICATIONS• Stand-alone DC/DC converter• Low-power bias supply• Low-power boost converter

FEATURES• Internal start-up regulator with auxiliary

winding override • Trimmed 2% internal reference • Excel-based design tool



International Rectifier’s IR389x: page 3NXP’s PMZ Series: page 9PARTNERWORKING

Part Number ColourLuminous Intensity

at IF (mA) TechnologyMin. Typ. Max.

VLMS1300 Super red 18mcd 54mcd – 20mA AlInGaP

VLMO1300 Soft orange 45mcd 90mcd – 20mA AlInGaP

VLMY1300 Yellow 28mcd – 180mcd 20mA AlInGaP

VLMG1300 Yellow green 18mcd 35mcd – 20mA AlInGaP

VLMTG1300 True green 71mcd – 450mcd 20mA InGaN

VLMB1300 Blue 28mcd – 180mcd 20mA InGaN

VLMB1310 Blue 28mcd – 180mcd 20mA InGaN

VLMW1300 White 45mcd – 180mcd 5mA InGaN/yellow converter

conditions, as well as the cycle-by-cyclecurrent limit and thermal shutdown function.The preset current-limit thresholds eliminatethe need for external sensing components.

The NCP1030A is available in a Micro-8 orDFN-10 package, and the NCP1031A inSOIC-8 and DFN-8.

Vishay’s ChipLED technology, in which theemitter is mounted on a highly reliable PCBmeasuring 1.6mm x 0.8mm x 0.55mm, enablesdesigners to build high-performing illuminationsand backlights within compact dimensions,benefiting from greater flexibility to optimisespacing and orientation for the best coloureffects. ChipLED technology also producesdevices that are able to operate reliably inarduous environments.

The devices are available in 8mm tape on a7-inch diameter reel, grouped by luminousintensity and wavelength to ensure an evenappearance in end-products.

High-brightness chip LEDs offer versatilecolours in ultra-thin 0603 form factor

Vishay's ultra-compact chip LEDs allow close spacing for enhancedvisual performance

Reference design accelerates industrial-Ethernetapplication development


The PLC reference platform successfully combines the P1025 processor with third-party technologies

To speed-up implementation ofprogrammable industrial control systemsutilising standardised languages (IEC61499 and IEC 61131-3), Freescale’slatest Programmable Logic-Controller(PLC) reference platform implementsthe KPA EtherCAT Master protocolstack, ISaGRAF® PLC firmware andQNX® Neutrino® RTOS on the QorIQ P1Tower System Module featuring theP1025 processor.


The EtherCAT Master protocol and customercontrol application run simultaneously on asingle core in the dual-core QorIQ P1025processor, with plenty ofheadroom remaining forthe control application, asthe 1ms cycle time for theEtherCAT protocol usesless than 1% of one core onthe P1025. This referenceplatform also eliminatesany need for an additionalfieldbus processor on theEtherCAT Master andallows the master stack towrite the application outputdirectly to the slaves.

The EtherCAT Master and Slave modules candaisy-chain without requiring switches and routers,reducing overall system complexity and cost.

The KPA EtherCAT Master, by koenig-paGmbH, offers easy-to-use, hard real-timeperformance, enabling users to configure andmonitor network activity. It is implemented in Cfor high performance and offers scalableEtherCAT features such as cable redundancy,hot connect and multiple master. Developerscan use the supporting KPA EtherCAT Studiodevelopment tool to configure the network andtroubleshoot the implementation.

The ISaGRAF PLC firmware helps to createfeature-rich control systems requiring industry-standard control languages such as IEC61499 and IEC 61131-3. To supportdevelopment, the ISaGRAF 6 Workbenchfeatures a suite of plug-ins for features such as

FREESCALE

Next-generation silicon-carbide diodesdeliver further energy-efficiency gains

Rohm Semiconductor has revealed itssecond generation of silicon-carbideSchottky barrier diodes, achieving theindustry’s lowest forward voltage of1.35V to allow even greater energyefficiency in applications such as power-factor correction and power conditioningin solar electricity generators.

recovery time. These properties enable highoperating frequencies, which permit productminiaturisation in addition to contributingtowards high overall energy efficiency. Inaddition, the diodes have low rise voltagewhich maximises efficiency during low-loadconditions, regardless of the operatingtemperature or current value.

ROHM SEMICONDUCTOR The SCS2xx series initially includes two 600V10A devices; the single SCS210AG and dualSCS220AE2. Future product introductions willexpand the family to include 600V devicesoffering 6A, 8A, 12A and 20A continuouscurrent-handling capability, as well as 5A, 10A,15A and 20A 1200V devices.

Rohm has achieved the industry-leading lowforward voltage of these devices throughenhancements to the process as well as thedevice structure, while maintaining high-speedswitching characteristics as well as lowswitching losses due to ultra-low reverse-

APPLICATIONS• Factory automation systems• Process control systems• Industrial drives• Motion controls• Safety devices• Building and transport automation

FEATURES• PROFINET, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP

protocols also ported to QorIQ devices• Application development with

CodeWarrior® Development Studio• Deployment across P1012, P1021, P1016

and P1025 processors



APPLICATIONS• Solar-power DC/DC converters• Boost-PFC converters• High-efficiency industrial power supplies• Motor drives

FEATURES• Stable parameters over a wide

temperature range• 175°C maximum junction temperature• 2μA reverse current at 25°C• 15ns switching time• 2-lead TO-220AC or TO-220FM power

packages




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IEC 61131-3 compliant languages, anintegrated HMI, and integrated KPA Studioallowing EtherCAT slave management.

The QNX Neutrino RTOS is certified to IEC61508 Safety Integrity Level 3 (SIL3) andCommon Criteria ISO/IEC 15408 EvaluationAssurance Level (EAL) 4+, and offersscalability and modularity enabling customersto create highly optimised systems that delivera low total cost of ownership.

Rohm’s latest generation of silicon-carbide diodes delivers further enhancements in energy efficiency and switching performance



IR signal-conditioning ICs enhance flexibilityfor specialised remote controls

Separating signal-conditioning and photodiode circuitry enhances freedom to optimise theoptical-system design

VISHAY

NXP Semiconductors continues toexpand its Small-Signal trenchMOSFET (SSMOS) families, adding20V, 30V, 50V and 60V N-channel andP-channel devices in the world’ssmallest discrete-transistor package;the DFN1006B-3.

The 1.0mm x 0.6mm DFN1006B-3 packagedelivers advantages in space-constrainedapplications, combining superior thermalperformance with the ultimate in miniaturisation.

NXP SEMICONDUCTORS

Vishay has created two families ofsignal-conditioning ICs for processingIR remote-control signals from discretephotodiodes, which give designersextra flexibility compared to standardreceivers that integrate the photodiodeand signal conditioningIC in a single package.

These dedicated signal-conditioning ICs will be usedin systems where ultra-widespatial reception is requiredthrough multiple photodiodesaimed in different directions.They will also be used whereunique photodiode packagesare required or wherealternative wavelengths needto be received, such as bluelight in under-waterapplications or visible-lightcommunication.

The VSOP38336 and VSOP38338 are designedfor use with carrier frequencies of 36kHz and38kHz respectively, and draw maximum supplycurrent of 3mA. The VSOP58436 andVSOP58438 for 36kHz and 38kHz applicationsdraw a maximum supply current of 5mA.

The devices are manufactured in CMOStechnology and feature a narrow band-passfilter and intelligent Automatic Gain Control(AGC) to suppress interference from

APPLICATIONS• Relay drivers• High-speed line drivers• Load switches• General switching circuits

FEATURES• Leadless plastic package• Low on-state resistance• Thermal performance comparable to

10-times larger SOT23 package



APPLICATIONS• Specialised IR remote controls

FEATURES• Output active low• Integrated bias circuitry• Low power consumption• Direct photodiode input connection



International Rectifier’s IR389x: page 3ON Semi’s NCP1030/31A: page 7PARTNERWORKING

Part Number Voltage Rating Type Max. Drain Current Max. On-state Resistance

PMZB670UPE -20V Single P-channel -680mA 0.85Ω

PMZB290UNE 20V Single N-channel 1A 380mΩ

PMZB290UN 20V Single N-channel 1A 350mΩ

PMZB370UNE 30V Single N-channel 900mA 490mΩ

NX3008PBKMB -30V Single P-channel -300mA 4.1Ω

NX3008NBKMB 30V Single N-channel 530mA 1.4Ω

PMZB420UN 30V Single N-channel 900mA 490mΩ

BSS84AKMB -50V Single P-channel -230mA 7.5Ω

2N7002BKMB 60 V Single N-channel 450mA 1.6Ω

fluorescent lamps and other ambient lightsources. The devices are insensitive to supply-voltage ripple and noise.

Offered in small QFN packages measuring2mm x 2mm x 0.76mm, the devices arecapable of processing continuous datatransmissions and support a wide supply-voltage range from -0.3V to +6V.

Ultra-small MOSFETs maximise energyefficiency and thermal performance

The package also has a very low mountedheight of 0.37mm, allowing use in ultra-slimproducts.

The latest SSMOS devices are ideal forultra-small load switches, power convertersand charger switches in consumer andindustrial applications demanding high powerdensity and efficiency.

The NXP SSMOS portfolio now includesmore than 60 MOSFETs in 1.0mm x 0.6mmand 2mm x 2mm DFN packages. In additionto their ultra-small footprint, the low on-stateresistance of these devices minimises energylosses in applications such as high-side orlow-side load switching, helping to extendbattery life in mobile or portable equipment.

Infrared receivers deliver uncompromising performancein ultra-thin products


Low height and wide viewing angle enhance performance in ultra-slimapplications

Vishay’s latest infrared (IR) remote-control receivers feature an ultra-slimsingle package measuring only 0.8mmhigh, with high on-axis sensitivity anda 150° viewing angle to deliver highperformance in extremely thin end-products such as flat-panel televisions.


The TSOP57x/ 37x receivers integrate the PINdiode and preamplifier IC in a leadless packagefeaturing an epoxy window that also serves asan IR filter. Although the devices have no lens,

high sensitivity allows receiving distances of upto 40 metres. At an off-axis angle of 45°, thereceivers’ sensitivity is much better thandevices with a lens, retaining 85% of their on-axis sensitivity. Because remote-controlreceivers are often placed behind cosmeticwindows which typically absorb some infraredlight, this high sensitivity allows the TSOP57x/37x series to outperform other surface-mountreceivers on the market.

The devices also feature Vishay’s intelligentAutomatic Gain Control (AGC) providing theindustry’s best noise suppression in versionsthat give designers a choice of AGC2, AGC3,AGC4 and AGC5 algorithms. They have peaksensitivity of 940nm, and are available inmodulation frequencies of 36kHz, 38kHz,40kHz, and 56kHz.

VISHAY

Smart radio plus optimised stack accelerateslow-power wireless-metering projects

Freescale's MC12311 and AMiHo's protocol stack create a convenient platformfor wireless smart meters

Freescale has teamed up with AMiHo tocreate an easy-to-use platform fordeveloping Wireless Meter-Bus (WirelessM-Bus) applications. The platformcombines Freescale’s MC12311 smartradio with the AMiHo AS080 Wireless M-Bus protocol stack.

The MC12311 combines an RF transceivercapable of operating in license-free sub-1GHzISM bands, a low-power HCS08QE 8-bitmicrocontroller and rich peripherals in asystem-in-package to speed-upimplementation of wireless connectivity insmart-metering, building-automation,home-automation and medicalapplications. The 50MHz microcontrollerintegrates 32kbyte Flash memory and2kbyte of RAM, providing ampleresources for a Wireless M-Busapplication.

Wireless M-Bus is an optimised,lightweight protocol designed toovercome challenges to AutomatedMeter Reading (AMR) for flow meters forwater, gas and heat. These challenges

FREESCALEinclude the need for efficient battery- poweredoperation since a mains connection is typicallynot available, long point-to-pointcommunication distances, and easy implementationand commissioning with minimal maintenancerequirements after installation.

The AMiHo AS080 protocol stack is fullycompliant with the Wireless M-Bus standard,EN13757-4. It has a low memory footprint andis targeted and optimised for the MC12311. Adownloadable evaluation-only version isavailable free of charge from Freescale websiteat www.freescale.com/mc12311. Customisationof the stack for specific requirements andturnkey hardware module based on MC12311with an embedded AS080 stack are offered byAMiHo upon request at www.amiho.co.uk.

APPLICATIONS• Flat-panel televisions• Set-top boxes• Home audio equipment• Air-conditioning units

FEATURES• Direct output to microcontroller• Internal filter for PCM frequency• Supply-voltage range: 2.0V to 5.5V• 3.95mm x 3.95mm package outline



APPLICATIONS• Low-power wireless meters:

• Gas meters• Water meters• Heat meters

FEATURES• 127dB link budget at 4800 baud• Programmable output power• 16mA receive-mode current draw• Packet engine with CRC, AES-128

encryption and 66-byte FIFO• Built-in temperature sensor and low-

battery indicator




DETAILSON PAGE

21

CarrierFrequency

AGC Algorithm (Standard Applications)AGC Algorithm

(Very Noisy Environments)

AGC2 AGC3 AGC4 AGC5

36kHz TSOP57236/37236 TSOP57336/37336 TSOP57436/37436 TSOP57536/37536




The platform comes with a free-of-chargegraphical PCTOOL application that provides astandard terminal-mode interface with supportfor AT or human-readable commands.

Projects can begin quickly using the TWR-12311radio module for the Tower DevelopmentSystem. Together, these resources enable fast,cost-effective wireless-network development,supported by turnkey hardware, software andtools, as well as demo applications.



Entry-level 32-bit microcontrollers challenge8-/16-bit power and price benchmarks

FREESCALE

Reverse-bias protection ICs outperformconventional diodes

The FR011L5J operates in the low side of the power-supply connection. The FR014H5JZ is optimised for high-side use

Fairchild Semiconductor FR011L5Jand FR014H5JZ provide superiorreverse-bias protection compared toordinary diodes, and help designers toprevent system components becomingdamaged due to user errors such asinstalling batteries incorrectly orconnecting the wrong charger.

These reverse-bias protection devices are low-resistance series switches that can also beused to protect against hazards such asnegative hot-plug transients, inductive transients,noise in automotive wiring, or using a rogueUSB charger. The FR011L5J is designed for

insertion in the low side of the USB or DC powerconnection, while the FR014H5JZ is designedfor high-side use.

In the event of a reverse-bias condition, theprotection device shuts off power and blocksthe negative voltage to prevent damage todownstream circuits. The FR011L5J andFR014H5JZ offer best-in-class reverse-biasprotection and voltage capabilities, and easilyprovide protection for -0.3V-rated silicon, whileminimising size, series voltage drop, andnormal operating power consumption.

The devices have a minimal effect on overallsystem power consumption. In normal bias theFR011L5J, which has typical series resistanceof 11mΩ, generates a voltage drop of 17mV ina 1.5A application; equivalent to 25mW ofpower loss. In a 16V reverse-bias event,power dissipation is less than 20μW. Similarlythe FR014H5JZ, which has typical series


Freescale Kinetis L series micro-controllers based on the 48MHz ARM®

Cortex™-M0+ core enable designersto migrate applications from 8-bit or16-bit microcontrollers to a 32-bitplatform for improved performanceand connectivity, without makingtrade-offs in terms of powerconsumption or price.

The Kinetis L series includes many of thesame low-power features as the higherperformance Kinetis K series ARM Cortex-M4microcontrollers, but provides additionalcapabilities for battery-operated applications.

The Kinetis L series devices supplement theexceptional energy efficiency of the ARMCortex-M0+ core with the latest in low-powerprocess technology, platform design, operatingmodes and energy-saving peripherals.Combined, these increase the time spent indeep-sleep modes, minimising CPU activityand extending battery life.

To reduce the average current of theapplication, thereby extending the working lifeof battery-powered designs, the Kinetis L corecan wake and execute code faster than typical8-bit or 16-bit cores and draws very lowcurrent in run modes due to 90nm low-powerFlash technology. There are also features tosupport lower-power boot-up sequences. Theflexible operating modes allow developers tobalance functionality and power consumption,and often permit the microcontroller tocontinue collecting and storing data withoutwaking up the CPU core.

APPLICATIONS• USB1.0, USB2.0 and USB3.0 devices• Portable medical devices• Point-of-sale systems• DC barrel-jack powered devices• DC devices subject to negative hot-plug

or inductive transients• Automotive peripherals

FEATURES• Up to -30V reverse-bias protection• Nanoseconds response time for reverse-

bias blocking• 24-hour withstand rating• MicroFET™ 2mm x 2mm package• USB tested and compatible



APPLICATIONS• Sensor nodes• Fire and security systems• Building and factory automation and control• Smoke detectors• Portable medical devices• Appliances

FEATURES• Bit-manipulation engine• Less than 50μA/MHz

35.4 CoreMark/mWmA• 16-bit ADC, 12-bit DAC• SCIs, SPI, I2C• DMA controller• Crossbar switch




DETAILSON PAGE

21

Fairchild’s FAN104W: page 14Diodes’ ZXGD3103N8: page 15PARTNERWORKING

resistance of 14mΩ, generates a voltage dropof 21mV or power loss of 32mW in normalbias, and dissipates less than 20μW in a 16Vreverse-bias event. This type of performance isnot possible with a diode solution.

Designers can also use these devices tolimit the peak start-up inrush current of USB-powered products, and thereby restrict peakdemand on the power supply while maintaininglow effective USB-device capacitance.


This Design Note, from Vicor, examines loss mechanisms inbuck converters, to show how zero-voltage switching withadvanced controller technology can enable designers toincrease efficiency and reduce overall size; particularly insystems with wider-ranging input conditions and generallyhigher voltages than typical non-isolated Point-Of-Load(POL) applications.

With the continuing drive to improve power system efficiency and powerdensity, the ability to provide efficient power conversion over a widedynamic range is of critical importance. Achieving high efficiency over awide dynamic range can eliminate multiple stages of power conversion andreduce power distribution losses by operating with a higher bus voltage.

Over the years, conventional buck regulators have made significantprogress in efficiency, size and cost with the development of highlyintegrated, compact solutions with improved device packaging, siliconintegration and MOSFET technology. However, these improvementswere most effective for non-isolated Point-Of-Load (POL) applicationswith a narrow input-voltage range. For wide input at higher voltages,there are still many challenges.

Under such operating conditions, most hard-switching buck regulatorscontinue to incur high switching losses due to the simultaneousoccurrence of high current and high voltage stress imposed on theMOSFETs at the turn-on and turn-off transitions, with the dominant lossoccurring at turn on. These losses increase with switching frequencyand input voltage, and limit the maximum frequency of operation,efficiency and power density. Hard-switching regulators also exhibithigher gate-drive loss due to the Miller charge dissipated within thegate-drive circuitry. Finally, body-diode conduction contributes to higherpower losses in the high-side MOSFET due to reverse recovery andhigher losses in the body diode due to forward conduction and reverse-recovery effects.

Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS)New devices using Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) power-train topology, incombination with advanced controller technology, overcome thesechallenges and enable system size reduction with considerableimprovement in the power density and throughput in a wide dynamicoperating range. Key benefits of ZVS buck regulator topology combinedwith an advanced controller include:

• Virtually zero turn-on loss• Negligible body-diode conduction time due to ideal rectifier switching• High-frequency operation maintained at high input voltage• Simple internal compensation• Very high-bandwidth feedback loop with high gain and phase margins• Fast transient response with a small amount of output capacitance• Supports high conversion ratios of 36:1 due to 20ns minimum on time• Excellent light-load efficiency due to advanced internal power

management• Simple, single-wire current sharing

ZVS with added valueThe use of the soft-switching ZVS topology has enabled high-frequencyoperation that maximises efficiency by significantly reducing theswitching losses associated with conventional hard-switched buckregulators. Besides boosting power-conversion efficiency, the highswitching frequency reduces the size of the external filtering componentsand improves power density while enabling fast dynamic response toline and load transients.

Vicor’s Picor Cool-Power® PI33XX series of ZVS buck regulatorsleverage the benefits of a soft-switching ZVS topology to delivermaximum power density, flexibility and simplicity for high-efficiency POLDC/DC regulation. The user need only add a pre-optimised inductor anda small number of ceramic capacitors to form a complete, wide-ranging,high-efficiency power solution.

Features of Picor Cool-Power PI33XX Buck Regulators:

• 8A and 10A buck regulators• 98% peak efficiency• 8V to 36V input-voltage range• 1V to 16V output-voltage range• 10 mm x 14 mm x 2.56 mm LGA System-In-Package (SIP)• -40°C to 125°C operating temperature range• Wide trim range• Optional one-time programmable I2C margining, Enable-pin logic

polarity, and phase delay• Optional I2C extended fault-telemetry capability

For designers challenged by complex distribution power schemes, theseCool-Power ZVS buck regulators offer an optional I2C extended fault-telemetry capability allowing for six distinct types of fault reporting.Additional device-programmable I2C features include margining, Enable-pin logic polarity, and phase delay. The devices can be easilyprogrammed using the Cool-Power Development Tool.

VICOR


D E S I G N N O T E


DETAILSON PAGE

21

Maximising energy efficiency inwide-input POL applications

Fig. 1: Picor Cool-Power® typical efficiency curve

D E S I G N N O T E



Cost-effective vector control for next-generationappliance designs

This Design Note from Freescale shows how vector controlfor PMSMs can now be achieved at a cost comparable tothat of a traditional BLDC drive, to enable new generationsof appliances offering even better energy efficiency as wellas greater reliability and quieter operation.

In today’s markets for appliances such as refrigerators and airconditioners, the electronically-controlled BLDC motor has consignedthe on/off AC induction motor to history. To further improve energyefficiency, quietness and longevity, designers must now contemplateusing the Permanent-Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) withsinusoidal control, which traditionally has presented a more complex andexpensive computing challenge.

The main differences between BLDC and PMSM implementations liein the trapezoidal shape of the BLDC motor’s induced back EMF, versusa sinusoidal shape in the case of PMSM, and in the shape of the controlvoltage: BLDC control uses a rectangular six-step commutating waveform,while the PMSM is controlled using 3-phase sinusoidal waveforms.

Although the sinusoidal control delivers advantages such as smoothertorque and lower acoustic noise, it is easier to create a six-stepcommutation for the BLDC motor and estimate the rotor position withsimpler algorithms, since one phase is non-conducting. As a result,designers have historically taken the BLDC approach with trapezoidalwaveforms to achieve an electronically-controlled solution at acompetitive price versus the AC induction motor.

Raising the barNow that the AC induction motor can no longer be considered as theincumbent, the new objective for appliance design is to achieve a PMSMsinusoidal control at a price competitive with that of the BLDC drive.

The latest advances in microcontrollers and Digital Signal Controllers(DSCs) now bring this goal within reach. The Freescale MC56F84xx DSCis based on a newly designed 32-bit DSP core. It is the market's fastestdigital signal-processing MCU offering exceptional precision, sensingand control for the most efficient digital power-conversion and advancedmotor-control applications. This device is capable of providing field-oriented control, or vector control, for the compressor and fan motors ofa refrigerator, in addition to providing active PFC control to profile theconsumed current to be sinusoidal in phase with the power-line voltage.

Consolidating these features in a single device enhances integration,thereby helping with the overall economy of the design. The scheme isillustrated in Figure 1.

Vector control in embedded softwareThe MC56F84xx provides all the necessary functionality for 3-phasevector control of a PMSM. Vector control is an elegant method to controla PMSM, which uses field-oriented theory to control the space vectorsof magnetic flux, current, and voltage. The vector control algorithmdecomposes the stator currents into a flux-producing component and atorque-producing component referenced to the rotor. Thesecomponents are then transformed back into the stator domain and thestator phase voltages needed to regulate the motor speed are thencalculated using space-vector modulation. Using this approach thestructure of the motor controller can be almost the same as for aseparately excited DC motor, which simplifies the control of a PMSM.

To be able to decompose the currents into torque- and flux-producingcomponents enabling sinusoidal PMSM control, it is necessary to knowthe position of the rotor magnetising flux, which requires accurate rotorspeed and position information. In this sensorless application, speed andposition are calculated from the outputs of back-EMF observers inserted

in the stator phases of the compressor and fan motors.Most of the operators that constitute the vector-

control algorithm, such as transformations, PIcontrollers and space-vector modulation, areimplemented using Freescale Embedded SoftwareLibraries (FSLESL) and hosted on the MC56F84xxDSC. This example demonstrates that it is now possibleto fulfil the complex computing requirements ofsinusoidal PMSM vector control using cost-effectiveDSCs such as the MC56F84xx series.

As shown in Figure 1, the application can becontrolled using a remote master device communicatingvia the MC56F84xx serial interface. A Freescale KinetisK70 microcontroller is a suitable and cost-effectiveoption. This family provides the added advantage ofintegrated touch-sensor and graphics-LCD controllers,enabling the designer to implement a smart humaninterface to control and monitor the application.

FREESCALE

Fig. 1: Dual vector control and PFC hosted on the MC56F84xx DSC

Dual sensorless PMSM FOC with PFC

White Goods and Consumer Electronics This year marks 20 years since the EU introduced energy labellingfor home appliances. The scheme has successfully driven energyefficiency to the forefront of designers’ minds so that, by 2010,90% of all units sold were in the best, class Acategory. At this point the EU raised the bar,extending categories up to A+++ andexpressing faith in further new technologiesto help increase efficiency by an extra 50%in the leading products. For the first time,televisions, which consume around 10% ofthe average domestic electricity budget, arealso now included in the scheme. So the quest to use energy more sparingly insubsystems such as motors, fans, powersupplies and display backlights willcontinue. This month’s Application Spotlighthighlights new and improved powersemiconductors from leading manufacturerssuch as Diodes and NXP Semiconductors,on page 15, and Fairchild, on pages 14 and 19, providing help toimprove efficiency and control. Freescale’s refrigerator DesignNote, on page 13, discusses the latest knowledge on high-

efficiency appliance motor drives. Vicor’s Design Note, on page 12,shows how to boost efficiency at board level using zero-voltageswitching point-of-load regulators.

While product-labelling schemes are neededto help visualise the energy efficiency ofappliances and home electronics,improvements at the user-interface level canbe seen much more easily. It is no secretthat designers draw inspiration from themobile markets when updating the look andfeel of technology used in the home.Displays have become larger, gained graphicsand colour, and controls are moving frommechanical buttons to capacitive touch andtouchscreen. ON Semiconductor andSemtech have interesting new touch-controlICs, featured on pages 17 and 19 respectively,which can be used in a variety of appliancesand consumer products. Our latest Board-

of-the-Month, on page 21, completes our update of the latest inthis sector, speeding up wireless remote-control and advanceduser-interface design using technologies from Microchip.

A P P L I C A T I O N S P O T L I G H T – C O N S U M E R & W H I T E G O O D S

14 F R E E D E V E L O P M E N T K I T S A T W W W . M Y - B O A R D C L U B . C O M

PWM controller combines features to maximisebattery-charger efficiency

The FAN104W provides a stable, efficient low-power supply for a variety of white-goods and consumer-electronic applications

Fairchild Semiconductor’s FAN104WPWM controller is a highly integrateddevice incorporating proprietarytopology and features that help tooptimise efficiency throughout the loadrange while also reducing componentcount, solution size and costcompared to a conventionaldesign or a linear transformer.

The FAN104W enhances theperformance of low-power flybackconverters, and features a proprietary500V JFET start-up circuit thatminimises start-up resistor losses. Inaddition, constant-voltage constant-current control without secondaryfeedback simplifies circuit design.The controller supports operation inBoundary Conduction Mode (BCM),which allows improved efficiencyand standby-power design margin.

In heavy-load conditions the PWMfrequency is fixed at 85kHz, withfrequency hopping to minimiseemission of EMI. As the loaddecreases, a proprietary green-mode

build energy-efficient battery chargers usingonly a small number of external components.Built-in voltage-drop compensation helps inapplications where the charger connects tothe charging battery via a cable. Thecompensation circuitry maintains a stablevoltage at the end of the cable over the entireload range, when the controller is operating inconstant-voltage mode.

FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTORfunction provides off-time modulation todecrease the PWM frequency and therebycontribute to maximising energy efficiencyacross the load range. The FAN104W has adeep-green mode that reduces the operatingfrequency to a minimum of 1.2kHz at very lowload levels, allowing the system to meetinternational power-conservation regulations.

The FAN104W is ideal for use in low-currentsupplies for control boards and HMI circuitry indomestic appliances, and can also be used to

APPLICATIONS• Battery chargers for portable devices• Switched-mode power supplies• Appliance display power supplies• Appliance-controller boards

FEATURES• Cycle-by-cycle current limiting• Gate-output voltage clamped at 14V• Over-temperature, over-voltage and

over-current protections• Under-voltage lockout



Fairchild’s FR014H5JZ: page 11Diodes’ ZXGD3103N8: page 15PARTNERWORKING



MOSFET controller helps boost appliances tobest energy ratings

The ZXGD3103 helps to maximise energy efficiency in cost-sensitive applications

DIODES INCORPORATED

Planar triacs enhance ruggedness and noiseimmunity of appliance and lighting controls

The BTA410 series comprises rugged devices able to withstand highoperating temperatures

The BTA410 series has high commutationcapability, and will commutate the full ratedRMS current up to the maximum junctiontemperature of 150°C. With three-quadranttriggering and optimised gate sensitivity, thetriacs have high immunity to noise andspurious dV/dt-induced turn-on.

Designers can choose from three levels ofgate sensitivity. The most sensitive devices,the BTA410-600/800ET have maximum gate-trigger current of 10mA, allowing direct logic-level control using a CMOS device such as amicrocontroller. The BTA410-600/800CT andBTA410-600/800BT have gate-trigger currentof 35mA and 50mA respectively, for use insystems requiring increased noise immunity.

Housed in the SOT78 (TO-220AB) powerpackage, the BTA410 series benefits from alarge chip size allowing the devices towithstand high surge currents and displayminimal temperature rise. The BTA410Yseries, in 600V and 800V variants andpackaged in SOT78D, feature internalinsulation and an isolated mounting baseproviding 2500VRMS isolation.

NXP SEMICONDUCTORS

The ZXGD3103N8 synchronous MOSFETcontroller from Diodes Incorporated isdesigned to increase efficiency in AC/DCpower conversion by enabling inefficientSchottky diodes in the secondary sideof flyback converters to bereplaced with more efficientMOSFET devices.

Combining this controller with aMOSFET of low on-state resistancecan enable an increase in power-supply efficiency of up to 3.5% in12V-output flyback converters from40W to 100W. This power range issuitable for refrigerators, washingmachines and similar appliances.

With its wide operating-voltagerange, this MOSFET controller can bepowered directly from supply railsbetween 5V and 15V, or higher via anexternal regulator. Moreover, byoffering a direct 180V MOSFET-drainsense capability, which eliminates theneed for an external clamp circuit, the

ZXGD3103N8 helps designers to reducecomponent count and save space. Comprising a differential amplifier, which actsas a detector, and a high-current driver, theZXGD3103N8 monitors MOSFET reversevoltage and applies a positive turn-on voltageto the gate if conduction is detected throughthe body diode. When the positive voltage isapplied to the gate, the MOSFET channel isenhanced to minimise conduction losses.

APPLICATIONS• 40W to 100W flyback converters

FEATURES• Proportional gate drive• -10mV detector threshold voltage• 15ns turn-off propagation delay• Driver source/sink current: 2.5A/6A



APPLICATIONS• Washing machine and refrigerator motor

controls• DC inductive loads (motors and solenoids)• Lighting controllers• High-voltage ignition circuits• Equipment subject to high temperatures

FEATURES• Good immunity to false turn-on• High blocking voltage• High commutation capability• High junction operating temperature



Fairchild’s FR014H5JZ: page 11Fairchild’s FAN104W: page 14PARTNERWORKING

The gate-drive voltage is proportional to theMOSFET drain-source reverse voltage. Thisenhances circuit efficiency by preventingpremature turn-off of the MOSFET and alsoreduces the MOSFET turn-off propagation delaydown to 15ns thereby minimising reverse-currentflow. In addition, the MOSFET controller’s lowdetector-threshold voltage, typically 10mV,minimises body-diode conduction.

Overall, designers using this device canreduce rectifier losses in the secondary side offlyback converters by up to 70%, helpingdomestic appliances to achieve a betterenergy-efficiency rating.

NXP Semiconductors’ BTA410 seriescomprises 600V and 800V 10A three-quadrant triacs, which are fabricatedusing planar process technology tocombine high junction-temperaturecapability, stability and reliability, as wellas high noise immunity enabling use indomestic and industrial appliances.

0201 TVS diodes exceedESD-protection standards

The tiny SP1005 series provides a high level of protection and fastresponse times

The SP1005 comprises back-to-back Zenerdiodes that can safely absorb repetitive ESDstrikes up to ±30kV, which is above themaximum level specified in the IEC 61000-4-2international standard (Level 4, ±8kV contactdischarge), without performance degradation.

LITTELFUSE

APPLICATIONS• Portable GPS receivers• Personal medical devices• Point-of-sale terminals• Digital cameras and camcorders• Personal media players• Smartphones• Tablets

FEATURES• 30pF capacitance @ 0V Bias• 0.1μA leakage current @ 5V• 6V reverse-standoff voltage• Compliant with international protection

standards:• ESD, IEC 61000-4-2

±30kV (contact), ±30kV (air) • Lightning, IEC 61000-4-5,

10A, 8/20μs waveform • EFT, IEC 61000-4-4

40A, 5/50ns waveform





Littelfuse SP1005 Transient-VoltageSuppression (TVS) diodes in a 0201Surface-Mount Device (SMD) packagehave one of the industry’s smallestfootprints and the lowest dynamicresistance to deliver best-in-class ESDprotection for space-constrainedappliances such as coffee machines orblenders.

The back-to-back configuration providessymmetrical ESD protection for data lineswhen AC signals are present.

With a dynamic resistance of only 0.7Ω, andsub-nanosecond response time, the SP1005provides very low clamping voltages for smallelectronic devices that are vulnerable topotentially destructive transient events.

Multi-core embedded processors supportnext-generation appliance user interfaces

FREESCALE

Freescale’s latest embeddedprocessors, the Vybrid VF6xx andVF7xx families, enable designers tocreate high-performance appliancedesigns with advanced graphicaldisplays to deliver extra features andenhanced user experiences.

The low-power Vybriddevices are capable ofsupporting rich graphicalcontent for advanced userinterfaces, while alsoproviding the real-timedeterminism required for theapplication controller.Designers can create systemsthat run a high-level operatingsystem, such as Linux®, and areal-time operating system, suchas MQX™, concurrently on thesame device. This, along with acommunication API that lets designerspartition their code between the rich and thereal-time domains and a toolchain that easesdebug of such systems, dramatically shortenstime to revenue.

The key to this unique combination ofcapabilities is the dual-core Vybrid architecturethat combines the ARM® Cortex™-A5application processor and the ARM Cortex-M4processor for real-time control. The devicesare compatible with Kinetis MCUs featuring theARM Cortex-M4 core and the i.MX 6 seriesfeaturing the ARM Cortex-A9 core. Thefamilies in the Vybrid portfolio span entry-levelproducts for designers who want to upgradefrom the Kinetis family to devices with large

on-chip SRAM or up to highlyintegrated, heterogeneous dual-core solutions that can addressthe needs of markets thatdemand critical safety andsecurity, connectivity and richHMI in the same piece ofsilicon.

Vybrid devices take atotal system approach.Complementing the low-power silicon is areference Linux BSP, afull-featured MQX RTOS

and reference MQX BSP. Inaddition, designers have access to

industry-leading development tools such asCodeWarrior® with Processor Expert, ARM DS-5and IAR EWARM, as well as a selection ofconnectivity, motor-control, LCD-interface andsecurity stacks.

APPLICATIONS• Mid- to high-end white goods• Advanced HVAC controllers• Medical-monitoring devices• Building-control systems• Gaming

FEATURES• Hardware graphics controller supporting

advanced 2D graphics• Touchscreen controller• Up to 1.5Mbyte SRAM• Multiple memory interfaces for Flash and

DDR DRAM• Two 12-bit ADCs, two 12-bit DACs, timers• Independently clocked COP, supporting

IEC 60730


Avago’s AFBR-1624Z/1629Z: page 3PARTNERWORKING




Appliance-focussed microcontrollers combattransients for maximum reliability

FREESCALE

Highly featured capacitive-sensing IC detects touch throughgloves or thick front panel

Appliances such as ovens and cookers can safely implement touch controls using theLC717A00AR

High input-capacitance resolution allows theLC717A00AR to detect capacitance changesin the order of femto Farads. With the highsensitivity of the detection system, the devicecan be used in applications such as domesticor commercial appliances where users may bewearing gloves, or where an air gap or thickfront-panel material could impair operation ofordinary capacitive touch-detection circuitry.Noise-compensation circuitry is also built in.

The LC717A00AR has an 8-channel inputas well as built-in logic capable of detectingthe on/off state of each input and outputting

the result. This makes it idealfor various switch applications.The built-in logic circuitperforms calibrationautomatically during poweractivation or if environmentalchanges have occurred. Inaddition, since the initialsettings of parameters such asgain and measurement intervalare configured, LC717A00ARcan operate as stand-alonewhen the recommendedswitch pattern is applied.

The LC717A00AR also hasa serial interface compatible

with I2C and SPI, which allows parameters tobe adjusted using external devices whennecessary. Moreover, outputs of the 8-inputcapacitance data can be detected andmeasured as 8-bit data.

ON SEMICONDUCTOR

APPLICATIONS• Large or small appliances• Low-end HMI applications• Air-conditioning units• Gas burners or boilers• Low-end motor control

FEATURES• Slew-rate and drive-strength control• Default state for all GPIO• Internal regulators and clock generators• Hardware fault-input detection and

timer-shutdown capability• 16-bit CRC Engine• Illegal-code detection and trap capabilities



APPLICATIONS• Ovens• Dishwashers• Coffee makers• Flat-panel televisions

FEATURES• 3ms minimum measurement-interval

setting• No external measurement components

required• Supply-voltage range: 2.6V to 5.5V• 320μA typical current at 2.8V supply• Operating-temperature range:

-40°C to 105°C



limiters, current limiters and improved PCBlayout, while using software techniques toreduce the impact of the signals on systemoperation and ensure controlled recovery.

Freescale’s 8-bit S08PT/A family, thelatest 8-bit S08-based microcontrollersfor appliance-control applications,integrate features that improvetransient immunity and help to achievesystem-wide ElectromagneticCompatibility (EMC), alloweffective use of software-controlled hardware-EMC features, andpromote robustprogrammingtechniques tominimise interference.

Features that improve transient immunity,and hence help to optimise device reliability,include integrated bypass capacitance in themicrocontroller I/O circuitry and core, as wellas decoupling of the core power supply. Inaddition, low-pass filtering on GPIOs as well asInterrupt and Reset pins removes potentially

damaging spikes on signal lines. Built-in high-voltage detection and over-voltage protectionalso help to protect the device againstexcessive voltage-related stresses.

Software-controlled hardware features thatfurther enhance transient immunity and aid inrecovery include reset-source determination,interrupt-source determination, ComputerOperating Properly (COP) or watchdogfunctionality, low-voltage detection and write-once registers. The COP is independently

clocked for IEC 60730 compliance.In addition to changing the shapeof the EFT waveform reaching themicrocontroller, using hardware,

optimising the IC and packagedesign, PCB design, system design

and software running on themicrocontroller, can all help to improve

device performance in the presence ofan EFT event. Freescale provides guidance

in the areas of PCB design and system designin application note AN4438 and additionalinformation in application note AN4434, bothavailable at www.freescale.com/s08p.

Freescale’s recommended methodology forgood EMC design includes maximising the useof hardware techniques such as voltage

The ON Semiconductor LC717A00ARintegrated digital converter is ideal forbuilding touch-sensitive appliance userinterfaces, featuring differentialcapacitance detection and high input-capacitance resolution for high sensitivityand also integrating functionalityallowing standalone operation withminimal microcontroller intervention.

Super-slim transient-voltage suppressorsoutperform traditional alternatives

Vishay’s SMA6F TransZorb™ surface-mount Transient-Voltage Suppression(TVS) devices are packaged in a 0.95mm-high SlimSMA (DO-221AC), and combinethe benefits of footprint compatibilitywith the traditional SMA devices, with50% lower package height and 50%higher surge capability at 10/1000µs.

The surge capability of SMA6F devices is600W at 10/1000μs, and 4kW at 8/20μs. Inaddition, clamping voltages are up to 9%better than those of current TVS devices in theSMB package. The range of clamping voltagesavailable is from 9.2V to 31.4V at 10/1000μs,and 13.4V to 36.8V at 8/20μs. Stand-offvoltages range from 5V to 20V.

The compact dimensions of the SMA6F TVSseries enable designers to protect sensitiveelectronics in space-constrained consumer,computer, industrial, and telecommunication

VISHAY

APPLICATIONS• Tumble dryers and washing machines• Refrigerators• Hot-swap computer and telecom cards• Flat-panel televisions

FEATURES• 0.95mm package profile• Low clamping voltage• 600W surge capability (10/1000μs)• Operating-temperature range:

-55ºC to 175ºC





Littelfuse has extended its range of 5mmx 20mm single pigtail fuses with the216SP series of fast-acting fuses. Thedevices cover a wide operating range,with current ratings from 1A to 10A, andare capable of interrupting 1500A at250V AC to provide supplementaryprotection for appliances used in thehome, office or industry.

LITTELFUSE

APPLICATIONS• Kitchen appliances• Air conditioners• Home audio equipment• Televisions and monitors• Printers• Personal computers

FEATURES• Ceramic body• Opening time:

0.02-0.03 seconds @ 1000% current rating• Specified temperature re-rating• MIL-STD-202G terminal strength• MIL-STD-202G environmental ratings



Part Number Stand-off voltage(V)

Clamping Voltage per Test Current Waveform10/1000µs 8/20µs

SMA6F5.0A 5.0V 9.2V 68.0V 13.4V 298VSMA6F6.0A 6.0V 9.5V 63.2V 13.7V 290VSMA6F6.5A 6.5V 10.2V 58.8V 14.5V 276VSMA6F7.5A 7.5V 11.8V 50.8V 17V 235VSMA6F8.0A 8.0V 12.8V 46.9V 18.2V 220VSMA6F8.5A 8.5V 13.3V 45.1V 18.7V 205VSMA6F10A 10V 15.7V 38.2V 19.6V 184VSMA6F11A 11V 17.2V 34.8V 21.5V 172VSMA6F12A 12V 18.8V 31.9V 23.5V 157VSMA6F12AHD 12V 18.5V 32.4V 22.9V 157VSMA6F13A 13V 20.4V 29.4V 23.9V 147VSMA6F15A 15V 23.6V 25.4V 27.7V 123VSMA6F16A 16V 25.2V 23.8V 29.5V 119VSMA6F17A 17V 26.7V 22.5V 31.4V 111VSMA6F18A 18V 28.3V 21.2V 33.2V 102VSMA6F20A 20V 31.4V 19.1V 36.8V 93V

applications against voltage transients inducedby switching of inductive loads or events suchas lightning and Electro-Static Discharge (ESD).

Fast-acting fuses maximise choice,carry worldwide agency approvals

The latest devices provide extra choicesfor designers by joining the existingLittelfuse 216 series traditional fast-acting pigtail fuses and the 215SPseries of slow-blow fuses. The216SP series has the samecircuit-interrupting capacityand electricalcharacteristicsincluding breakingcapability as the216 series.

Littelfuse pigtail

fuses carry agency approvals for major marketterritories, including European VDE and CEapproval, North American CSA and ULcertificates, as well as the Japanese PSE

mark, Korea Certification (KC mark) andChina Quality Certificate (CQC). The

216 series and 216SP series meetthe IEC 60127-2 sheet 1specification for fast-acting fuses.The 215SP series meets IEC

60127-2 sheet for time-lag fuses.

Amp Rating

VoltageRating

InterruptingRating

NominalResistance Cold Ohms

NominalMelting

I2t

Maximum Voltage Drop @

Rated Current (In)

Maximum Power

Dissipation @1.5In

1A

250V 1500A @ 250V AC

0.2370Ω 0.18000A2s 1000mV 2.5W

1.6A 0.1112Ω 1.00500A2s 600mV 4W

2A 0.0764Ω 1.87000A2s 500mV 4W

2.5A 0.0584Ω 2.69500A2s 400mV 4W

3.15A 0.0368Ω 6.70000A2s 350mV 4W

4A 0.0247Ω 14.99500A2s 300mV 4W

5A 0.0183Ω 27.46000A2s 250mV 4W

6.3A 0.0137Ω 56.43000A2s 200mV 4W

8A 0.0123Ω 64.31500A2s 200mV 4W

10A 0.0079Ω 154.34000A2s 200mV 4W

Vishay's TransZorb™ TVS prevent damage when switching inductiveloads such as motors



Miniature inverter module streamlines low-powermotor-drive design


Touch-button controllers add wake-from-standby and LED-driving capabilities

Increased integration can help to enhance appliance energy ratings

The integrated IR decoder in the SX9511simplifies implementation of power-savingmodes allowing designers to create eco-friendly products. In addition, both the SX9510and SX9511 provide eight LED-driver outputswith support for user-programmable intensityas well as blinking and breathing modes. TheSX9510/11 also include proximity sensing witha range of over 10cm. In addition, bothdevices have two analogue outputs, one ofwhich can drive a buzzer to provide audiblefeedback on button touches.

Semtech’s patented circuitry allows all of thesefeatures to be integrated in a single device,saving board space and component count,simplifying design, and streamlining assembly.

The devices are able to operate autonomously,using pre-programmed button sensitivities andthresholds, LED intensities and blinking/breathing settings, with no external I2Ccommunication required. Whenever thecapacitive value changes from either aproximity detection or finger touch/release, thecontroller informs the host processor throughthe analogue outputs or an open-draininterrupt and an I2C register read. No externaldynamic programming is required, and thedevices are able to adapt automatically tohumidity and temperature changes to maintaincorrect touch/no touch responses.

SEMTECH

APPLICATIONS• Washing machines• Air conditioners• Refrigerators• Water coolers

FEATURES• 3.8Ω FRFET on-state resistance• Logic-compatible, active-high signal inputs • Optimised for low electromagnetic

interference • Isolation-voltage rating:

1500VRMS for 1min.• HVIC temperature sensing



APPLICATIONS• LCD TVs and monitors• Domestic appliances• Consumer electronic products• Industrial or automotive instrumentation• Mechanical button replacement

FEATURES• Core supply-voltage range: 2.7V - 5.5V • I/O supply-voltage range: 1.65V - 5.5V • Capacitance offset compensation to 40pF• 15mA LED outputs• SX9511 IR-detector compatibility includes:

NEC, RC5, RC6, Toshiba, RCA



Fairchild Semiconductor’s FSB50250ASmart Power Module (SPM®) is aminiaturised inverter solution for low-power motor drives, which utilisesFast-Recovery MOSFETs (FRFETs) forgreater ruggedness and a larger SafeOperating Area (SOA) than an IGBT-based power module or aone-chip solution.

Fairchild’s SPM invertersprovide a viablealternative to conventionalinverters in low-powermotor-driving applications,such as fan motors and watersuppliers, by allowing designers tomeet system-performance targets at alow overall cost.

The FSB50250A module comprises six500V FRFETs, with three half-bridge High-Voltage ICs (HVICs) to drive the FRFET gates.The device generates low electromagneticinterference at optimised switching speed.

The package is optimised for thermalperformance and compactness, making it idealfor use in built-in motor applications or otherapplications where space is limited.

In addition to driving the FRFET gates, theHVICs also implement under-voltage

protection. An integral bootstrap diode witheach HVIC reduces design of the

bootstrap circuit to a capacitor-selection task dependent on the

PWM control algorithm andswitching frequency.

By providing separatenegative DC-link terminalsto each FRFET, the

FSB50250A allows designersto implement a low-cost sensorless

control solution using three shunt resistors tomonitor the inverter output current.

The Semtech SX9510 and SX9511 8-channel capacitive-touch controllershelp to enhance the energy efficiencyof home electronics by also integratingan IR decoder allowing the system tobe woken from standby using a remotecontroller.

Double-locking connectors providereliable, compact power connectivity

The DF61 power connectors have a swing action enabling fast and secure assembly as well as excellent electrical performance

Offering a low profile of 2.38mm, 2.2mmcontact pitch, 4A maximum currentrating and double-locking mechanism,the Hirose DF61 series wire-to-boardconnectors provide space-saving androbust power connectivity for homeappliances and gaming products as wellas industrial and medical equipment.

The connector range consists of headers,sockets and crimp contacts designed to savespace and deliver optimum electricalperformance.

The two-position header is soldered to theboard and occupies approximately 38mm² ofboard space. A long effective contact-matinglength of 0.4mm ensures good electricalcontinuity.

Hirose’s Swing-Lock double-lockingmechanism ensures high reliability andprevents accidental separation of the socketand header. During the mating operation thereceptacle is inserted into the header from thecable side, at a shallow angle, to engage witha metal-reinforced locking catch in the header.The other end of the receptacle is thenpressed to engage with the friction lock, whichprovides a tactile click sensation to confirmcorrect mating. The friction lock also preventsthe receptacle from floating. The locking catchin the header can withstand a minimum of 10N

HIROSE

APPLICATIONS• Game terminals• LED lighting• Industrial robots• Portable medical devices

FEATURES• Compatible cable range:

AWG30 to AWG22• 30 mating-cycles durability• 7.35mm x 5.1mm header outline• 2.2mm pitch• Two contact positions



A P P L I C A T I O N S P O T L I G H T


Robust connector system aids rapid, error-free wiring

TE's high-quality connector system enhances assembly-line productivity

The 2.5mm Signal Double-Lock (2.5 SDL)connector system from TE Connectivity™

(TE) helps to provide fast, error-free wiringof appliances by featuring polarising ribsto allow proper mating, multiple housing-colour options to help identify connectorsduring assembly and maintenance, andconfirm correct insertion with an audibleclick.

These compact, single-rowconnectors are available inup to 10-position wire-to-wire and 12-position wire-to-board configurations.The complete connectorsystem consists of plugand cap housings for wiretermination, optionaldouble-lock plates, crimpcontacts, and PC-boardpin headers in 13.7mmand high-profile 19.2mmversions.

A latch on the plughousing and interlocking

secure the connector on the PC board untilthe soldering process is complete. A radialtape-mounted version of the post header isalso available which is applicable to radialmounting machines.

TE CONNECTIVITYcavity on the cap housing helps to provide asnag-free connection and prevent unintentionaldisengagement. The double-lock plates areavailable for both plug and cap housings, andfulfil three roles by ensuring positive loading ofcontacts in the housing, helping to preventcontacts from being mated halfway andhelping to prevent contact back-out.

The high-profile PC-board pin headers aredesigned specifically for use with resin-coatedboards, which are often used in homeappliances where waterproof protection isrequired. Both the standard and high-profileheaders mate with the standard plughousings, and feature kinked solder tails to

APPLICATIONS• Household appliances • Fans and air conditioners• Gaming and vending machines• Garage-door openers • Security systems • Industrial controls • Business equipment

FEATURES• Current rating: 3A per line • Voltage rating: 50V AC/DC• Approved for use with 26AWG - 20AWG

wire• 22.6mm overall mated length

(wire-to-wire version)• UL, CSA and VDE approved



P.I.E.S E C T I O N

cable-pull force. A small lever enables fast andeasy unmating.

The DF61 system features strong bladecontacts, which prevent damage against anycable-wrenching forces. On the crimp socketthese are positioned within a strengthenedhousing lance to further increase retention. Onthe header the contacts are perfectly isolatedto allow a long creepage distance, permitting avoltage rating of 350V. The terminationcontacts on the header are fully moulded intothe insulator to eliminate gaps and henceprevent solder wicking during board assembly.

Board of the Month

Microchip has integrated a PIC® microcontroller,3.5” graphical TFT-LCD with resistive touchscreen, capacitive touch keys, a 2.4GHztransceiver and a wireless adapter to create itsRemote Control Demo Board, assistingimplementation of RF-based remotes for avariety of home-electronics applications.

The DM240315-2 board follows the formfactor of a wireless remote control but can alsobe used as a reference design to build anytype of application requiring a graphicaldisplay, touch sensing, USB and/or wirelesscapability. It is supported by free source codethat designers can customise for variousgraphical screens or touch-button scenarios.

Key Microchip devices featured on-boardinclude the PIC24FJ256DA210 microcontroller,MRF24J40 2.4GHz transceiver and ZENA™

USB wireless adapter. The transceiver can be

used with a choice of protocols includingRF4CE, ZigBee® or MiWi™, depending on thewireless needs of the end application. Thedemo showcases how a vivid colour-displayapplication can use a low-cost PIC24 MCUwith integrated graphics driver, utilising onlythe on-chip RAM and so eliminating the costof external memory.

FreescaleMultimedia and HMIDevelopment platform and boardsupporting Freescale i.MX 6 familyapplication processors.

Board References:Sabre platform – MCIMX6Q-SDPSabre board – MCIMX6Q-SDBResponse Number: 02

Motion-sensing applicationdevelopmentFreescale Xtrinsic Sensor Toolbox forevaluation of 3-axis accelerometers inultra-small form-factor 2mm x 2mm x1mm DFN package, containingaccelerometer daughter cards andsensor-interface board.

Board Reference: LFSTBEB865x Response Number: 10

Freescale (continued)Energy-efficient systemsThe new Freescale Freedom developmentboard is a small, ultra low-power, ultralow-cost platform for quick applicationprototyping and demonstration. It has arich set of third-party expansion boardoptions, and has an integrated USBdebug interface supporting capabilitiesincluding a virtual serial port and classicprogramming and run controls.

Board Reference:FRDM-KL25Z Response Number: 19

Freescale (continued)Industrial control-systemsintegration

Freescale Tower System modulesupporting development ofcommunication applications including anEtherCAT reference design.

Board Reference:TWR-P1025 QorIQ Tower System Module Response Number: 13

FreescaleSmart meteringFreescale Tower System featuringMC12311 smart radio module forwireless-connectivity applications.

Board Reference:TWR-12311 Response Number: 18

my-boardclub.com classifiedsVicorZVS buck regulator design

The PI33XX-EVAL1 evaluation boarddemonstrates the features and benefits ofthe Picor Cool-Power® ZVS buckregulator PI33XX family. The boardfeatures the ZVS buck regulator alongwith an inductor and ceramic output andinput capacitors. All I/O pins are routed tothe board edge for easy access, and havea through-hole for adding a test point orto facilitate wiring to external circuitry.

The board provides severalconnections for monitoring and control,including a scope-tip jack for measuringoutput voltage and optional connectionsfor measuring the input voltage and theregulator switching node.

Board Reference: PI33XX-EVAL1 Response Number: 21

Future Electronics’ Board Club: supporting innovative electronics designEurope’s electronics industry thrives on the application of innovation and creativity, and anessential innovator’s tool in design projects is the development board. The Board Club website is aFuture Electronics resource for users of development boards. Here, and only here, Board Clubmembers can gain access to exclusive free development boards and development board offers.If you would like to register for membership, please visit: www.my-boardclub.com/register.php

To apply for these free boards go to: www.my-boardclub.com/ftmTerms and conditions apply. Visit www.my-boardclub.com/about_us for details

D E V E L O P M E N T B O A R D S I N T H I S I S S U E

21

APPLICATIONS• Home-automation systems• Lighting controls• Television/Blu-ray/hi-fi controllers

FEATURES• Microchip mTouch™ touch technology• Remote-control utility to run on target

computer• Reference code included• Simple hardware layout• Board schematics and bill of materials

Microchip DM240315-2 Remote Control Demo Board

Remote-controller demo boardenables faster application design

READ THIS TO FIND OUT ABOUT

• Properties of transformer cores and windings• Specifying a transformer for a switched-mode power supply• Custom transformer design services

T E C H N I C A L V I E W


Matthew Hoare, FAE, Future Electronics (UK) discussessome of the issues that arise in the design of atransformer for a switched-mode power supply.

Considerations for designers of magneticsWhile the basic operation of a transformer might be easily understood,the actual specification of the core and windings has a profound effecton the device’s efficiency and safety. Optimisation of a transformerdesign requires that particular attention be paid to the followingelements:

Core saturationIn a good design, the material will be driven around a minormagnetisation loop, inside the major loop, and the circuit design willensure that no conditions can arise which would drive the field tosaturation. If the point of saturation is reached, the inductance value willfall dramatically. Then di/dt will also increase dramatically, creating thepotential for damage to the power switches.

This is most likely to occur in universal designs in which the B-fieldsafety margin is large at European input voltages, nominally 230V AC,but might approach saturation at a US input voltage of 110V AC. Thedesigner must account for the worst case, of lowest input voltage,highest primary current, when selecting the core material.

Core considerationsThe power rating gives a guide to the minimum magnetic area requiredfor the core, but it is only a starting point for the specification. Theinsulation levels and creepage distances must also be considered. Thusthe frame size, or core size, off the transformer is influenced by thenumber of primary turns, the inductance, creepage distances and theinsulation ratings.

Real-world transformer operationIn a perfect transformer, as current is transferred from the input windingto the output winding no energy is wasted or lost. In the real world,however, the transformer has parasitic reactive and resistive elements asshown in Figure 2.

Fig. 1: BH loop for a typical magnetic material

Understanding transformer power supplies

Switched-mode power supplies can trace their roots back to the 1960s.Naturally, today’s designs are significantly more complex than theirancestors, although increasing silicon integration has simplified the tasksfacing power-supply designers. One challenge that cannot be solved insilicon is the design of the magnetic elements. This article highlights someof the many factors to consider when specifying a suitable transformer.

Behaviour of magnetic materialsTo begin, it is worth revisiting some basic characteristics of magneticmaterials. Figure 1 shows a magnetisation curve for a material which hasbeen driven around the major loop, saturated at both ends. Note that Bdenotes the magnetic flux density and H denotes the magnetic fieldstrength.

When a magnetising field of a magnitude which is sufficient to saturatethe material is applied and then removed, the material will remainmagnetised at a level known as the remanence or remanentmagnetisation (Br and –Br in Figure 1).

In order to return the magnetisation value of the material back to zero,a magnetic field of a given strength in the opposite direction has to beapplied; this is known as the coercivity (Hc in Figure 1). Thischaracteristic of magnetic material produces hysteresis, which entailsenergy losses.

T E C H N I C A L V I E W


Leakage inductance (LLp and LLs), caused by imperfect flux couplingwithin the transformer, is a particularly important phenomenon. LL is aseries element and thus the energy stored can be expressed as:

ELL = (L(I^^2))/2

Even though the leakage inductance is effectively a product of thewindings, the stored energy is not transferred by transformer action. Thismeans that the stored energy will cause spikes at switching. Since theenergy stored in the leakage inductance obeys a square law, the effect isgreatly reduced at light loads.

It is worth remembering that any inductive element carrying a currentwill react as described:

V=L(di/dt)+i(dL/dt)

Assuming L is constant, the effect of rapidly turning off the current is toproduce a high negative voltage, which may damage semiconductordevices if unsnubbed.

Leakage inductance can play a varying role in performance. In theflyback topology, leakage inductance can cause losses and mightdamage the semiconductor switch. In other topologies such as LLC,however, a high leakage inductance can be harnessed to createresonance with the capacitor, enabling zero-voltage transition. TheFairchild FAN7621 and FAN7631 LLC controllers utilise leakageinductance in this way.

Power lossesThere are three main sources of power loss in the transformer:

Copper lossesThese are incurred as the primary and secondary currents pass throughthe finite resistances of the primary and secondary windings. Thecombined loss can be expressed as follows:

LossCopper = ( Ip^^2)Rp + (Is^^2)Rs

The primary and secondary resistances are determined by the physicaldimensions of the wire used for the windings. Thus, for a fixed materialand a fixed transformer ratio, the balance between copper loss andphysical size is a consideration for the designer.

Magnetisation lossEnergy is used to drive the magnetic material around the minor magnetisationloop, as discussed previously. The amount of magnetisation loss, or coreloss, depends on factors such as the characteristics of the materialused, frequency of operation, operating temperature and flux density.

Eddy currentsEddy currents proportional to the rate of change of a magnetic field areinduced in conducting materials. Manufacturers of materials for high-frequency use minimise this effect by forming the material from particulatesin an insulating carrier to break conduction boundaries.


Manufacturers’ data typically specify the characteristics of the materialbased on a sine wave. However, driving the material with a square wavegenerates larger eddy currents because of the harmonic content of theinput. This might yield different characteristics from those predicted fromthe datasheet values.

The ratio of magnetisation loss to eddy-current loss changes withfrequency. At lower frequencies, magnetisation losses will dominate; athigher frequencies, eddy-current losses will dominate.

In addition, capacitive losses should be taken into account, and othersources of losses arising from proximity and skin effects should beconsidered.

Thermal managementLosses are dissipated as heat. Eddy currents heat the core material fromwithin, and copper losses heat the core by conduction. The wholeassembly has an average thermal resistance from the windings toambient. It is important to remember, however, that the thermalresistance from the centre of the windings to ambient is higher than fromthe edge of the windings to ambient.

Care must therefore be taken to ensure that calculations for maximumtemperature are performed at the hottest point, not as an averageacross the whole transformer, to avoid exceeding the maximum workingtemperature of the material at any single point.

IsolationFor offline transformers and other types, isolation requirements are animportant parameter. Creepage distance and insulation specificationscan be a significant factor in the selection of bobbin type. The choice willalso affect the winding-window utilisation and ultimately the core size.Many styles of bobbin exist, each bringing benefits and restrictions.

ConclusionDesign choices made when specifying the core and the windings have amarked effect on the operation of the transformer; in particular on itsefficiency and its ability to operate at a safe temperature.

It is true that switching-regulator ICs have integrated more and morefunctionality on-chip, reducing the implementation of complex topologiesessentially to a board-layout task rather than a circuit-design task.However, the requirement for magnetics design remains. Here theengineer has to decide whether to mount a steep learning curve or touse external resources.

For design teams choosing to outsource this part of the project, high-quality transformers are available to custom specifications from reputablecompanies such as Myrra. Their years of experience designing high-quality custom transformers and inductors, on a quick turn-around, canbe accessed through branches of Future Electronics.

Fig. 2: Parasitic elements in the transformer

design for switched-mode

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