ROHM Develops Automotive Primary LDOs: Leveraging Original QuiCur Technology to Achieve Industry-Leading Load Response Characteristics
ROHM Semiconductor today announced the new BD9xxM5-C series of 45V rated, 500mA output primary LDO regulators (BD933M5EFJ-C, BD950M5EFJ-C, BD900M5EFJ-C, BD933M5WEFJ-C, BD950M5WEFJ-C, BD900M5WEFJ-C). These devices are suitable for supplying power to automotive electronic components such as Electronic Control Units (ECUs) that operate from vehicle batteries.
In recent years, the number of onboard power supply systems and functions has continued to grow as electrification in the automotive industry progresses. This increases the demand for primary LDOs that can directly step down the battery voltage to MCUs and other components used in ECUs. However, the energy supplied by the vehicle’s lead-acid battery is often subject to sudden voltage fluctuations, which primary LDOs are required to provide with excellent line-transient response in these conditions.
At the same time, ECUs and other downstream devices often experience load current variations during operation that also demand excellent load-transient response characteristics. A high-frequency response is essential for fast output voltage recovery, but it has been difficult to provide sufficient phase margin at the same time to ensure stable operation. In response, ROHM developed a novel solution that addresses these challenges.
The BD9xxM5-C incorporates original QuiCur™ high-speed load response technology that delivers industry-leading[1] load response characteristics to current fluctuations. For example, the LDO can maintain output to within 100mV of set voltage even as the load changes between 0 and 500mA in 1μs (rise time/fall time). Furthermore, low 9.5µA (typical) current consumption contributes to lower power consumption in automotive applications. These new products will be available in four packages, ranging from the compact HTSOP-J8 to the high heat dissipation TO252 (TO252-3/TO252-5) and HRP5 types. This allows users to select the most suitable package for each use case.
Going forward, ROHM will continue to improve reliability while reducing power consumption in automotive applications by developing products utilizing its strengths in analog and other technologies.
Product Lineup
The new BD9xxM5-C meets the basic requirements for automotive products, including 150°C operation and qualification under the AEC-Q100 automotive reliability standard. A wide range of packages will be available to select from depending on the application environment, all featuring excellent response performance and low current consumption using proprietary QuiCur technology.
The lineup will be expanded to comprise a total of 18 models by FY2024, including the TO252-3, TO252-5, and HRP5 packages.
Application Examples
Suitable for a wide range of automotive applications such as ECUs that operate on vehicle primary power supply systems, including:
- Powertrain: Fuel injection, tire pressure monitoring system
- Body systems: Body control modules
- Infotainment: Instrument clusters, head-up displays
QuiCur High-Speed Load Response Technology
QuiCur is the name of ROHM’s proprietary ‘Quick Current’ high-speed load response circuit capable of maximizing load response characteristics (response performance) without causing instability in the feedback circuits of power supply ICs. Stable operation of the power supply IC is also possible with minimal output capacitance. And in the case of switching regulators, which are a type of power supply IC, it is possible to linearly adjust the capacitance and output voltage fluctuation to easily achieve stable operation even when the capacitance is changed due to specification changes, significantly reducing the number of person-hours required for power circuit design – both in terms of decreasing component count and ensuring stable operation.
