Load switches deliver smart power to digital ICs

Diodes Inc. has expanded its DML30xx family of smart load switches with four new devices: the DML3008LFDS, DML3010ALFDS, DML3011ALFDS and DML3012LDC. These switches deliver high-current (10.5 A to 15 A) power domain switching control for voltage rails from 0.5 V to 20 V. Applications include portable electronics and systems; notebook and tablet computers; set-top boxes, servers, and gateways; hot-swap devices and peripheral ports; and telecom, networking, medical and industrial equipment.

(Source: Diodes Inc.)

To achieve an ultra-compact footprint and increased power density, the devices use a chip-on-chip arrangement that stacks the controller chip on top of a low RDS(ON) N-channel power MOSFET. Large, underside heat pads maximize thermal efficiency and power consumption is minimized due to the <150 mA (typ.) on-state current and 0.1 mA (typ.) standby mode.

The switches handle all aspects of power delivery to microcontrollers, graphic cards, ASICs, FPGAs and memory chips. High feature integration of the switches eliminates the need for additional circuitry while minimizing PCB area and speeding time to market, Diodes said.

Safeguards and monitoring features allow designers to select the combination addressing their applications, including short-circuit and overcurrent protection; undervoltage lockout, power good signal and soft start to limit inrush current to an acceptable level. All switches feature quick discharge, ensuring controlled rail power-down and thermal shutdown protection.

The devices are available now. The DML3008LFDS, DML3010ALFDS and DML3011ALFDS are supplied in the V-DFN2020-8 (2 × 2 mm) package and are priced at $0.75 each in quantities of 3,000. The DML3012LDC is housed in the V-DFN3030-12 (3 × 3 mm) package and priced at $1.07 each in quantities of 3,000.