Ultra-thin regulator for high-density data storage systems

Farnell element14 has announced the availability of the 3A Ultrathin Step-Down µModule Regulator, from Linear Technology, which comes in an ultra-thin 1.8mm profile LGA package with a 6.25mm x 6.25mm footprint. With solder paste, the package height is less than 2mm, meeting the height restrictions of many PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), Advanced Mezzanine Cards (AMC) for AdvancedTCA carrier cards in embedded computing systems. The small size and low height allow the LTM4623 to be mounted on the back of the PCB, freeing space on the topside for components such as memory and FPGAs. The LTM4623 operates from 4V to 20V input supplies and precisely regulates an output voltage from 0.6V to 5.5V with 1.5% maximum total DC output voltage error, Application examples include ultra-dense data storage, gateway controllers and 40Gbps to 100Gbps network equipment. The LTM4623 solution fits in a 0.5cm² dual sided PCB or <1cm² on a single-sided PCB. The circuit only requires one input capacitor and one output capacitor, a resistor to set V, and a small capacitor for V tracking and soft-start. With an auxiliary 5V bias, the LTM4623 operates from input supplies as low as 2.375V. The operating efficiency for converting 12V to 1.5V and 3.3V at 3A is 80% and 88%, respectively. Power loss for 12V to 1.5V is 1.1W, resulting in only a 24C rise in junction temperature. The LTM4623 is rated for operation from 40C to 125C, says the company.