Integrated Power-Management Chip for Multimedia Networking in Cars

STMicroelectronics announced a integrated power-management solution for MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) networks. The L5961 power management IC, which has been designed in cooperation with fabless semiconductor manufacturer SMSC to work with that company’s MOST network processors, includes both the power supply and MOST-compliant power-management control logic, together with diagnostic and system monitoring (power supply, network status, wake-up events, temperature).

 In particular, the device features multiple power modes, including an Ultra-Zero Power Mode that offers a typical quiescent current of 5 microamps. Other features of the L5961include: an integrated 5 or 3.3V, 650mA DC-DC converter, which supplies the network processor and can also supply power to an external low-voltage application; two voltage regulators to supply power to the fiber-optic transmitter and fiber-optic receiver; a diagnostic transceiver for the network physical layer; and the integration of three battery detectors for voltage monitoring.

 Available in PowerSSO36 packages, or in the PowerSO36 option for applications requiring a higher thermal dissipation, engineering samples of the L5961 are now available to lead customers. Full qualification of the L5961, ready for volume production, is planned for Q3 2008. The L5961 is priced at $3 in quantities of 1000.