ROHM develops a new sensor for ADAS and radar applications with increasing performance

300mA output small automotive LDO regulator "BUxxJA3DG-C series"

ROHM, a world-renowned semiconductor manufacturer (headquartered in Kyoto, Japan), has developed the "BUxxJA3DG-C Series (BU12JA3DG-C, BU15JA3DG-C, BU18JA3DG-C, BU25JA3DG-C, BU30JA3DG-C, BU33JA3DG-C)" LDO regulator*1 IC for increasingly advanced small-scale automotive applications such as sensors and radars in automotive ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems).

In recent years, the demand for safety performance in the automotive field has been increasing with the innovation of accident prevention and autonomous driving technology. At the same time, the performance of sensors and radars installed in automotive ADAS has become higher and higher (increasing current to improve processing power and reducing voltage to save power), which requires the power supply ICs that supply them to be smaller and able to support higher currents.

ROHM uses its rich product lineup of DC-DC converter ICs and LDO regulators to provide energy-saving and miniaturization solutions for a wide range of automotive applications such as ECUs (electronic control units) and ADAS in the automotive field. In order to meet the power supply needs of ADAS sensors with increasingly improved performance, ROHM has developed a series of small LDO regulators with low output noise that excel in output current.

As an LDO regulator developed for secondary-side*2 power supply applications in the automotive field, the new product meets the basic requirements of application products for small size and standard output voltage expansion. In addition, despite the very small size of the product (2.9mm×2.8mm), it supports an output current of up to 300mA, and also covers an input voltage range as low as 1.7V, which is rare in the same LDO series, so the product is also suitable for 1.8V power supply systems. In addition, among LDO regulators with low output noise, its noise is only 55µVrms, which is about 40% lower than ordinary products (compared with products with an output voltage of 3.3V), which can be used in applications that require a purer power supply, contributing to the miniaturization and performance improvement of ADAS sensors and radars.

The new product has been put into mass production at a scale of 60,000 units per month (sample price 150 yen/unit, excluding tax) since August 2022. In addition, the new product has begun to be sold through e-commerce platforms such as Ameya360, Sekorm, Oneyac, RightIC, etc.

ROHM will continue to develop power supply ICs that contribute to further energy conservation and miniaturization of automotive applications, and continue to contribute to the development of the automotive industry.

＜New product lineup＞

The new product "BUxxJA3DG-C Series" meets the basic requirements for automotive products, such as 125°C operation, compliance with the automotive electronics reliability standard "AEC-Q100", the small package size required for automotive secondary-side LDO regulators, and output voltage expansion requirements.

In addition, despite its very small size, it supports an output current of up to 300mA, and at the same time, this series of products also covers a wider input voltage range of 1.7V to 6.0V. It can work stably even under the conditions of 1.7V input voltage and 300mA output current, so it can also be used in 1.8V power supply systems (applicable products: BU12JA3DG-C). In addition, the output noise is reduced to 55µVrms, which is about 40% lower than general products (compared with products with an output voltage of 3.3V), which makes it less likely to affect the output of tiny electrical signals such as sensors (helping to improve accuracy), so it is very suitable for power supplies for noise-sensitive, increasingly miniaturized and performance-enhancing automotive products.

＜Application Examples＞

◇Sensors, radars, cameras and other automotive ADAS systems

◇Instrument panels, head-up displays (HUDs), and other infotainment systems

Suitable for secondary-side power supplies in noise-sensitive automotive products and a wide range of other applications.

＜E-commerce sales information＞

Sales start time: September 2022

E-commerce platforms: Ameya360, Sekorm, Oneyac, RightIC

It will also be gradually sold on other e-commerce platforms.

Models on sale:

BU12JA3DG-CTR, BU18JA3DG-CTR, BU25JA3DG-CTR, BU33JA3DG-CTR

＜Terminology＞

*1) LDO Regulator (Low Drop Out Regulator / Low Saturation Regulator)

A type of power supply IC that converts direct current (DC) voltage into direct current voltage. The voltage difference between input and output is small, and it is a "linear regulator" (input and output voltages act linearly). Compared with DC-DC converter ICs (switching regulators), it has the characteristics of simple circuit structure and low noise.

*2) Secondary side

In automotive power supplies, from the perspective of power sources such as batteries, the first-stage conversion is called the "primary side", and the second-stage conversion is called the "secondary side". Power ICs for primary-side applications need to support high input voltages, while power ICs for secondary-side applications need to support low voltage input and low voltage output.