How DC/DC Power Module Customers Can Navigate the Global Semiconductor Shortage

In times of scarcity when demand exceeds supply, DC/DC customers might be tempted to source hard-to-find parts from unauthorized brokers online. Buyer beware! In such cases, the risk of purchasing components with substandard quality or counterfeit devices rises significantly. Sometimes, counterfeit products are simply empty packages, packages with the wrong die, or packages without bond wires. These are non-functional and easy to spot, but a more deceptive approach is to take functioning parts and alter them in ways that are hard to detect. Examples include new product codes, RoHS markings on noncompliant products, high-performance markings on low-performance products, or industrial- or automotive-grade designations on commercial-grade parts. These components may pass initial testing only to fail later in the field.

Using counterfeit components can lead to severe consequences, including device malfunction, safety hazards, and reputational damage. Low-volume buyers are particularly vulnerable to these risks, as they may lack the resources to perform thorough quality checks and vetting processes.

Another alternative is to revise the design to eliminate the power module and switch to an in-house discrete solution. However, this approach introduces different risks. First, the design and validation time is likely to be longer and may be constrained. The bill of materials (BOM) is significantly more complex for a discrete design than for a single power module. A discrete solution will include a dozen or more components from different suppliers, any of which could be subject to allocation in the current environment.

A buffer stock must be established for each of these components. Limited engineering resources must be diverted to identify and qualify multiple alternative sources and manage supply chain challenges.

Given this market dynamic, how can RECOM help? With 100,000 customers worldwide, our aggregate volume ranks RECOM as a high-volume customer with our suppliers. Our purchasing power allows us to buy active and passive components directly from suppliers and secure the associated benefits. We can also maintain a buffer stock of the parts used in our power modules. We have leveraged our purchasing power to significantly increase our stock of hard-to-obtain power modules in the most popular configurations. The result is improved module availability and shorter lead times compared to equivalent modules from other suppliers.

RECOM has DC/DC power modules in the RPL, RPX, and RPY families available for immediate delivery. These are buck converters with integrated inductors in compact surface-mount packages. The devices are fully protected against continuous short circuits, output overcurrent, and over-temperature faults. Their high current handling and small size make them ideal for a wide range of applications, including imaging systems, distributed power architectures, portable telecom equipment, and industrial applications.

The RPX family features power ranges from 5W to 20W with output currents from 0.5A to 4A. The RPX-1.0, for example, features an input range from 4VDC to 36VDC, allowing 5V, 12V, or 24V supply voltages. The output voltage can be set from 0.8VDC to 30VDC using two resistors. The output current reaches up to 1A and is fully protected against continuous short circuits, output overcurrent, and over-temperature faults.

The RPL family of 15W buck converters uses a compact 3mm x 3mm x 1.45mm thermally enhanced LGA package. The RPL-3.0, for example, features an input range from 4VDC to 18VDC, allowing 5V and 12V supply rails. The output voltage can be set from 0.8VDC to 5.2VDC. The output current is up to 3A.

For automotive customers, the RPY-1.5Q is a 7.5W AEC-Q100 qualified constant current source buck regulator with an integrated inductor designed for driving high-power LEDs. A complete LED driver can be realized in a compact 3mm x 5mm x 1.6mm thermally enhanced QFN package, with a maximum current output of up to 1500mA set with an external sense resistor. The input voltage range is from 4VDC to 36VDC, supporting 5V, 12V, or 24V supply voltages. The output is fully protected against continuous short circuits, input undervoltage, output overcurrent, and over-temperature conditions. A fault indicator signals thermal shutdown or LED open/short circuit conditions.

Automotive or industrial applications include dimmable LED lighting, visible or IR LED illumination for drones and robotic camera systems, and precision high-current constant current sources for test and measurement use.

While high-volume customers enjoy advantages such as better pricing, preferential treatment, and customized solutions, low-volume customers may face challenges like longer lead times, limited module availability, and less favorable contract terms. Rather than resorting to less desirable workarounds, RECOM offers a convenient solution with immediate delivery of high-demand low-wattage DC/DC power modules suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications.