Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Slide 11 Slide 12 Slide 13 Slide 14 Slide 15 Slide 16 Slide 17 Slide 18 Slide 19 Slide 20 Slide 21 Slide 22 Slide 23 Slide 24 Slide 25 Slide 26 Slide 27 Slide 28 Slide 29 Slide 30 Slide 31 Slide 32 Slide 33 Slide 34 Slide 35 Slide 36 Slide 37 Slide 38 Slide 39 Slide 40 Slide 41 Slide 42 Slide 43 Product List
DC-DC Conversion Cookbook Slide 17

A classification of power controllers is also possible based on the output current range and efficiency. The pictures on this slide show the regulator IC (solid block) with output filter and FET switches. By definition a converter is a switching regulator with an integrated switch (HS only, or both HS and LS). Since these are integrated, the output current is limited by the device itself, typically up to 5-6 A in the ST portfolio. In a switching controller the power elements, the FETs, are external. The output current is limited by the size of the external FETs and it is scalable (just change the FETS). For currents above 30 A a multiphase approach must be used with two or more switching outputs that contribute to share the load current on a single output. This is different than a multi-output regulator where the switching outputs feed different loads.

PTM Published on: 2013-04-11