ZXSC100

The ZXSC100 series is designed for DC-DC applications where step-up voltage conversion from very low input voltages is required. These applications mainly operate from single nickel cadmium or nickel metal hydride battery cells.

The ZXSC100 devices are non-synchronous PFM, DC-DC controller ICs which drive an external transistor. Zetex SuperSOT4™ switching transistors, with saturation resistance as low as 13m, are recommended as the external switching element. These bipolar transistors are the best switching devices available for this type of DC-DC conversion, enabling high efficiency conversion with input voltages down to below 1 volt.

The circuit can start up under full load with regulation maintained down to an input voltage of only 0.926 volts. The solution configuration ensures optimum efficiency over a wider range of load currents, several circuit configurations are possible with power dissipation up to 2W. The step up output voltage is easily programmed with external resistors, the non-synchronous architecture and SuperSOT4™ device enabling an output voltage down to the input voltage level. For best performance the ZXSC100 quiescent current is a small 150A ensuring minimum battery drain in no load conditions.

For the best in space saving the ZXSC100 is offered in the MSOP8 package, however the devices are also available in SO8 packaging for applications where space saving is not so critical.

The IC and discrete combination offers the ultimate cost vs performance solution for single cell DC-DC conversion.