New USB-C power solution with innovative three-level topology improves performance

Renesas Electronics Corporation has introduced the RAA489300/RAA489301 high-performance buck controller, designed with a three-level buck topology for battery charging and voltage regulation in USB-C systems. These include multiple-port USB-PD chargers, portable power stations, PC docking stations, robots, drones, and other applications needing a high-efficiency DC-DC controller.

The three-level buck converter topology facilitated by the new IC delivers outstanding efficiency and significantly lowers the required inductance for regulating the output voltage. Its innovative design minimises power loss and reduces system size, making it ideal for compact, high-performance applications.

The three-level topology comprises two additional switches and a flying capacitor compared to a conventional two-level buck converter. The flying capacitor lowers voltage stress on the switches, enabling designers to use lower voltage FETs with better FoM. The result is decreased conduction and switching losses. This topology also allows the use of a smaller inductor with peak-to-peak ripple of only about 25% of that of a two-level converter, enabling reduced inductor core and direct current resistance losses.

The company is a worldwide leader in USB-PD solutions, delivering a comprehensive range of products, including turnkey solutions for various applications. It helps customers shorten their time-to-market with an extensive development environment and pre-certified USB-IF reference designs. The company's USB-PD solutions offer superior quality and safety, along with high efficiency and power density.

"This three-level buck topology solution is a prime example of Renesas' worldwide leadership in battery charging," said Gaurang Shah, vice president of the Power Division at Renesas. "The innovative technology includes patent-pending breakthroughs that offer our customers clear advantages over competing USB-C power offerings."

The three-level DC-DC RAA489300/RAA489301 battery charger and voltage regulator provides superior thermal performance, which lowers cooling requirements and results in cost and space savings. This innovative approach addresses the growing demand for compact and efficient power management systems.

Key Features of the RAA489300/RAA489301 battery charger and voltage regulator:

• Wide range of input and output voltages for use in voltage battery packs and with various PD adapters
• Integrated safety features with built-in protection mechanisms against overcharging, overheating, and voltage anomalies
• Scalability for easily adapting to various power levels and application requirements
• Optimised switching architecture divides the voltage across the power switches, improving efficiency
• Minimises power consumption, contributing to greener, more sustainable designs
• Lower thermal stress improves system reliability and extends product lifespan

The company offers the RTK-251-SinkCharger-240W and the 240W Dual-Port Daughter Card Winning Combinations that minimise the effort needed for customers to design USB-C battery charging into their products. Winning Combinations are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimised, low-risk design for faster time to market. It offers more than 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the company portfolio to allow customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly.

The RAA489300/RAA489301 is available in a 4×4 mm 32-lead TQFN package. Comprehensive design support and tools, including the RTK-251-SinkCharger-240W Kit and the RTKA489300DE0000BU Evaluation Board, are also available.