Renesas Electronics, a leading supplier of innovative semiconductor solutions, has launched the RAA489300/RAA489301 high-performance buck regulators. These are developed using a three-level buck topology specifically designed for battery charging and voltage regulation in USB-C systems. This includes multi-port USB PD chargers, portable power stations, PC docking stations, robotics, drones, and other applications requiring efficient DC/DC controllers.
With the new IC adopting a three-level buck topology, it achieves excellent efficiency and significantly reduces the need for inductors to regulate output voltage. The innovative design minimizes power loss and reduces system size, making this IC particularly suitable for compact, high-performance applications. Compared to traditional two-level buck converters, the three-level topology features two additional switches and a so-called flying capacitor. This reduces the voltage stress on the switches, allowing the use of FETs with lower dielectric strength and better performance coefficients. This, in turn, reduces line and switching losses. Additionally, the peak-to-peak ripple is significantly reduced (approximately 25% compared to two-level converters), allowing for the use of smaller inductors, which decreases core losses and DC resistance.
Renesas Electronics is a global leader in USB PD solutions, offering a wide range of products, including ready-to-use complete solutions for various applications. With a comprehensive development environment and pre-certified USB-IF reference designs, Renesas can significantly accelerate time-to-market. These solutions are characterized by the highest quality, safety, efficiency, and power density.
“The three-level buck topology is a strong example of Renesas Electronics’ global leadership in battery charging,” said Gaurang Shah, Vice President of Renesas Electronics’ Power Division. “Our innovative technology includes patent-pending innovations that provide our customers with significant advantages over other USB-C power solutions.”
The RAA489300/RAA489301 DC/DC converters with three-level topology impress with their excellent thermal performance. This reduces the need for cooling, saving costs and space. This innovative approach meets the growing demand for compact and powerful power management systems.
Main Features of the RAA489300/RAA489301 Battery Charging IC and Regulator
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Wide input and output voltage range, compatible with battery packs and various USB-PD adapters
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Built-in safety features, including protection against overcharging, overheating, and voltage deviations
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High scalability, easily adapting to different performance levels and application requirements
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Optimized switching architecture for voltage distribution across multiple switches to enhance efficiency
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Minimized energy consumption for more environmentally friendly and sustainable designs
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Reduced thermal stress, improving system reliability and extending lifespan
Combined Advantages
Through the RTK-251-SinkCharger-240W and 240W dual-port daughter card, Renesas Electronics offers pre-configured so-called winning combinations. These greatly reduce the development work required to integrate USB-C charging solutions into customer products. The winning combinations are based on technically validated system architectures composed of coordinated components that work seamlessly together. They enable optimized low-risk designs and significantly shorten development time. Renesas offers over 400 winning combinations, along with various products in its portfolio. Users can leverage this to accelerate their development process and bring their products to market faster.
Availability
The RAA489300/RAA489301 is now available in a 4mm×4mm TQFN package with 32 pins. Comprehensive development support tools are also available, including the RTK-251 SinkCharger 240W kit and the RTKA489300DE0000BU evaluation board.