Automotive buck regulator IC with ultra-low IQ for automotive infotainment applications

AEC-Q100 qualified device includes robust protection features

Allegro MicroSystems: The new A8591 from Allegro MicroSystems Europe is a buck regulator IC designed to meet the power-supply requirements of the latest automotive infotainment systems. It is available in fixed 5V or 3.3V regulated output voltage configurations.

The new AEC-Q100 qualified device provides all the control and protection circuitry of a 2 A regulator circuit with ±1% output voltage accuracy. An ultra-low-IQ mode employs pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) to draw less than 33 μA from a 12 V input while supplying a 5 V/40 μA output, making the A8591 ideal for automotive battery-powered “keep-alive” applications.

A “sleep” feature is included which reduces the standby current down to 5 μA. When operational, the A8591 operates down to at least 3.6 V input to accommodate idle-stop battery input requirements. The regulator PWM switching frequency can be set between 300 kHz and 2.4 MHz and “dithered” or synchronised to an external clock.

The A8591 has extensive protection features including pulse-by-pulse current limit, “hiccup” mode short-circuit protection, open/short-circuit asynchronous diode protection, boot open/short-circuit voltage protection, input-voltage undervoltage lockout, power-on reset (NPOR), and thermal shutdown.

This new regulator is targeted at the automotive and industrial markets, including applications such as infotainment, centre stack and instrument clusters, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), head-up displays, HVAC systems and industrial controls.

The A8591 is supplied in a 3 mm × 3 mm 10-pin wettable flank DFN package (suffix EJ) with exposed power pad for enhanced thermal dissipation. It is lead (Pb) free, with 100% matt-tin leadframe plating.

About Allegro

Allegro MicroSystems, LLC is a leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing high-performance semiconductors. Allegro's innovative solutions serve high-growth applications within the automotive market, with additional focus on office automation, industrial, and consumer/communications solutions. Allegro is headquartered in Worcester, Massachusetts (USA) with design, applications, and sales support centers located worldwide. Further information about Allegro can be found at www.allegromicro.com

Allegro MicroSystems Europe, headquartered in Chertsey, United Kingdom, is the European sales and marketing operation, and operates a network of representatives and distributors throughout Europe.  Allegro also has an engineering design centre in Edinburgh in Scotland and an application and marketing centre in Annecy in France.