Covering a wide input voltage range of 3.2 volts (V) to 40 V, the controller uses peak current mode control with internal slope compensation. It has a built-in regulator that supplies charge to the gate driver, plus a 1.2 V ±2% reference voltage. Protection features include internally-set soft-start, under-voltage lockout, cycle-by-cycle current limiting and thermal shutdown. The AEC-qualified NCV898031 can cope with a 45 V load dump and has an operational temperature range of −40 °C to 150 °C. In addition, its low sleep-mode current of typically 10 microamperes (µA) helps to keep the total ignition off quiescent current budget to a minimum.
The higher frequency operation of this device allows it to be used with smaller and lower cost inductors and output capacitors, thereby lowering the overall cost and taking up less PCB real estate. Thanks to its protection mechanisms and wide voltage range, it is highly optimized for use in automotive applications, such as instrumentation clusters and infotainment systems.
“The enhanced frequency performance exhibited by the NCV898031 will be of great benefit to design engineers as they look to curb costs and better utilize available space, allowing smaller, less expensive passive components to be specified,” said Jim Alvernaz, ON Semiconductor director of automotive products. “In addition, its low quiescent current level will help to meet the demanding ignition-off requirements now being expected within the automotive industry.”