New step-down DC-DC converters with lowest quiescent current enhance design flexibility

Nexperia has introduced a new series of step-down DC-DC converters that provide devices with outstanding stand-by and operating efficiency that offer engineers even greater flexibility for designing various fixed and portable battery-powered applications across consumer, industrial, and automotive end markets.

The NEX30606 is a high-efficiency, high-accuracy step-down converter that offers a choice of 16 resistor-settable output voltages from input voltages ranging from 1.8V to 5V. It can deliver up to 600mA of output current and offers the industry’s lowest operating quiescent current (Iq) of 220μA. This feature makes it ideal for wearable consumer applications like hearing aids, medical sensors, patches and monitors, in addition to battery-powered industrial applications like smart meters, asset-tracking and, IIoT and narrow-band internet-of-things (NBIOT) devices. This device delivers >90% switching efficiency for load currents ranging from 1mA to 400mA and has only 10mV of output voltage ripple when stepping down from 3.6V Vin to 1.8Vout.

The NEX40400 step-down converter combines high efficiency (up to 8% higher efficiency than close competition at low - mid load condition) with low operating quiescent current (60μA typ.) and can provide up to 600mA output from a wide 4.5V to 40V input range for applications. Featuring PFM for high efficiency at low to mid loads and Spread Spectrum Technology for minimising EMI, the converter is ideal for industrial distributed power systems and grid infrastructure (e.g. smart e-meters) as well as consumer white goods. Low shutdown supply current (0.3μA) also makes this converter suitable for use in battery-powered home appliances. The company also plans to release an AEC-Q100-qualified version of the converter later in 2025 for use in automotive applications such as body electronics and lighting, IVI systems, ADAS, instrument clusters, cameras and displays.

The NEX30606 and NEX40400 offer traditional IC protection features such as Overcurrent Protection, short circuit protection, and thermal shutdown, ensuring reliability in demanding environments.

“Nexperia recognised the demand for high-efficiency, wide input-voltage range step-down DC-DC converters with low quiescent current that can serve multiple end-markets,” according to Irene Deng, general manager of the IC Solutions business group at Nexperia. ”Devices in this new series offer industry-leading Iq and now provide engineers with even greater design flexibility across various industrial, consumer, and automotive applications.”

The NEX30606 is available in a space-saving WLCSP package measuring only 1.09mm x 0.74mm with a 0.35mm pitch, which is almost 50% smaller than similar competing converters. The NEX40400 comes in a cost-effective six-lead SOT8061-1 (TSOT23-6) plastic, surface-mounted package measuring 2.9mm x 2.8mm.