Thursday, June 12, 2014
STMicroelectronics has announced a line of field-effect rectifier diodes (FERD) that the company said provides a unique trade-off between low forward voltage drop (VF) and low leakage current (IR) that allows designers of equipment such as battery chargers and notebook adaptors to meet the most stringent energy-efficiency standard requirements without the expense of using synchronous rectification techniques.
Standards such as Energy Star 6.0 test the limit of what can be achieved with conventional Schottky diodes in battery chargers and notebook adaptors. Synchronous rectification provides superior performance but at significantly greater cost. The ST FERD family provides an attractive alternative as it meets the efficiency levels required by the energy-savings standards applicable to off-line switch mode power supplies while costing about 30 per cent less than a synchronous rectification kit, said ST.
Available in the ranges from 15A to 2x30A and from 45-60V, the FERD devices are based on a patented ST technology that achieves the best-in-class VF/IR for a given silicon surface area, the company noted. For example, a 30A device using FERD technology features a forward voltage drop reduced by about 140mV compared to a conventional 30A Schottky diode, without increasing the leakage current.
With its lower forward voltage drop and better managed leakage current, the ST technology increases the current that can flow for a given package power-dissipation capability. Benefits include faster charging of smart phones and tablets, reduced notebook-charger size and weight, and increased lifetime of the equipment as the FERD devices operate at lower temperature.
The FERD technology is also geared for applications and systems in other segments, such as freewheeling or reverse battery protection in automotive applications; OR-ing in telecom power supplies; or rectification in industrial systems, and could be offered in FERD devices with various voltage and current ratings to support the needs of the different markets.
Twelve FERD devices are available, housed in TO-220AB, D2PAK, and PowerFLAT 5 x 6, with prices ranging from $0.51 for the FERD15S50DJF-TR (15A, 50V) in quantities of 1,000 units.
By: DocMemory
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