New technology enables a breakthrough in DC/DC converter design

Until a few years ago the DC to DC converter function had been implemented with discrete transistors and either separate voltage comparators and references or monolithic PWM controller integrated circuits. Being a leader in the power integrated circuit field, SGS-Thomson Microelectronics saw the possibility to integrate the various desirable functions into one monolithic structure including the power stage. The solution was provided by a new technology that SGS-Thomson was developing, called Multipower-BCD (BCD stands for bipolar, CMOS, DMOS). This technology combines low level logic and linear circuitry and power DMOS transistors onto the same piece of silicon. Multipower-BCD is a relatively straightforward 10-14 mask process utilising noncritical manufacturing techniques. The author discusses this new technology