NEW LOW-COST, LOW-POWER PULSE-WIDTH MODULATOR FROM DALLAS SEMICONDUCTOR FIRST TO COMBINE DIGITAL ADDRESSABILITY IN MICRO PACKAGING
DALLAS, TX-March 7, 2000-Dallas Semiconductor today announced the DS1050 5-Bit Programmable Pulse Width Modulator (PWM), the first processor-controlled PWM to combine low cost, low power, and 2-wire addressability in an 8-pin mSOP package. Digital control of a PWM over a 2-wire interface entails several design advantages: single-bus control over multiple devices; compatibility with other 2-wire devices; and—most important in battery-powered applications—power, space and weight savings.
 PWMs are gated-current control blocks typically used in switched-mode power supplies, heat controls, and in illumination and brightness controls where energy efficiency is critical, as in portable electronic equipment. Where excess energy was once burned or wasted in traditional control blocks, PWMs preserve energy by gating or modulating the energy pulse width to suit demand. The DS1050 generates a square wave output in standard output frequencies of 1, 5, and 10 kHz, with a microprocessor-controlled duty cycle variable from 0% to 100% in 3% steps.
"Traditionally, PWMs have been used in hard-wired analog control loops," said John Adams, product manager for EconOscillators and EconoPWMs. "The DS1050 allows a designer to develop digitally based control systems. Because the DS1050 is under microprocesssor control, changes in PWM functionality that once meant hardware redesign now can be made in software or on the fly."
The DS1050 capitalizes on low-power design and fabrication techniques pioneered by Dallas Semiconductor for its battery-backed real time clocks and NV SRAMs. The device's power savings are a particular design advantage. From cell phones to laptop computers, designers strive to reduce current to a minimum level in order to increase battery lifetime, reduce weight, and increase product acceptance.
"With most PWMs on the marketplace, you talk about power consumption in terms of milliamps," Adams commented. "The DS1050 operates from 2.5 volts to 5.5 volts at a typical operating current of 50 microamps that reduces to 1 microamp in power-down mode. This kind of energy efficiency is critical in battery-powered applications like laptop computers."
In addition to saving power, the DS1050 is the first PWM available in 8-pin DIP, 8-pin SOIC and 8-pin µSOP packaging, among the smallest on the market. Die-scale or flip-chip packages are also available on request from Dallas Semiconductor.
The DS1050 is controlled via a 2-wire interface through which eight devices on a single bus can be addressed. The 2-wire addressable interface is also compatible with other Dallas Semiconductor 2-wire devices, including real time clocks, digital thermometers, and digital potentiometers.
"The 2-wire bus master is built into many popular processors, " noted Adams. "The 2-wire interface and its compatibility with 2-wire devices, whether from Dallas Semiconductor or other manufacturers, make integrating a DS1050 into 2-wire buses easy for the design engineer."
Applications for the DS1050 are in LCD contrast and/or brightness controls, switch-mode power supplies, battery chargers, heating or motor controls, or any application where a small, low-cost, low-power processor-controlled pulse-width modulator is necessary. The DS1050 can also be used as a standalone oscillator.
The DS1050 will be available mid-March 2000 at a cost of 99 cents in quantities of 1,000. Samples are available now.
Dallas Semiconductor manufactures a broad line of mixed-signal, specialty semiconductors. The Company combines proprietary fab and circuit technologies to create innovative products that are sold to over 15,000 customers worldwide. Markets served include broadband telecommunications, wireless handsets, cellular base stations, secure Internet communications, networking, servers, data storage and a wide variety of industrial equipment.
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