What is PS-1A?

PS-1A is an adjustable switch mode DC-DC regulator that is extremely compact and easy to use. PS-1A combines all the components required for a switch mode DC-DC regulator into a 4-layer PCB. It is breadboard friendly and no external components are required to use it. Even the filter capacitors at the input and output are built into it.

The output voltage is adjustable by turning a potentiometer. The output voltage is adjustable between 0.9V - 6V and the maximum output current is 1A. It accepts input voltages in the range 3V - 17V. PS-1A is 0.83inx0.39in (21mmx10mm) in size including its pins. The overall package is similar in size and pin layout to the TO-220 package used by 78xx linear regulator ICs and many power MOSFETS. PS-1A is in fact pin compatible with the 78xx series DC-DC regulators.

PS-1A uses a highly integrated switch mode DC-DC controller developed by Texas Instruments. PS-1A is extremely efficient and can reach 95% power efficiency.

Why PS-1A?

DC-DC regulators or DC-DC converters are used in almost any electronics project. Linear regulators such as the fixed output 7805 and adjustable LM317 were widely used DC-DC regulator ICs due to their ease use and compactness. Linear regulators however have a severe drawback – inefficiency. Switch mode regulators have much better efficiency. Only a handful switch mode regulators come in compact packages comparable to TO-220 package but none of them are adjustable. PS-1A is an efficient switch mode regulator that has adjustable output and is as compact and easy to use as linear regulator ICs.

Since the output voltage is adjustable PS-1A can be used to provide power to many electronic devices including but not limited to.

• Arduino (5V)

• Teensy (3.3V)

• LEDs (1.8V - 3V)

The very high efficiency makes PS-1A highly suitable for battery powered applications. Due to the wide input voltage range of 3V – 17V it can be used with a large variety of batteries and power sources such as USB. It is breadboard friendly and requires no external components. All these features make PS-1A a highly useful device for electronics makers, hobbyists and professionals.

Technical Specifications

• 3V - 17V input range
• 0.9V - 6V output range
• 1A maximum output current
• 6W maximum output power
• Buck or step down converter
• 4 layer PCB
• 3 pin 100mil (2.54 mm) pitch Single Inline Pin Layout
• Built in filter capacitors

You can download the datasheet by clicking on this link

Detailed Mechanical Dimensions

Safety Features

PS-1A inherits several safety features from the DC-DC regulator IC it uses.

Input Under Voltage Lockout : The controller of PS-1A monitors the input voltage level and stops switching its MOSFETS if the input voltage is lower than a threshold value.

Output Current Limit and Short Circuit Protection: When a threshold output current limit is reached switching of MOSFETS is halted and the high side MOSFET is turned off.

Thermal Protection: The controller of PS-1A monitors the device temperature and turns of the MOSFESTs when a threshold temperature is reached.

Heat Dissipation

Being an efficient switch mode regulator PS-1A does not generate large amount of heat. However, the PCB of PS-1A has been carefully designed to dissipate the heat it generates. The rear side of PS-1A contains an exposed copper pad connected to the ground of PS-1A. This copper pad is also connected to the thermal pad of the controller IC of PS-1A by thermal vias. This design provides a low thermal resistance path to dissipate the heat generated by PS-1A.

Product highlights

Easy to Use : PS-1A does not require any external components. Please connect it to the power source and the device as shown in the figure. It can be plugged into a breadboard for prototyping.

Compact Size: At 10mmx15mm it is about the same size as 78xx series linear regulator ICs. Detailed dimensions are given in the figure above.

Efficiency: Being a switch mode regulator PS-1A is extremely efficient and can reach efficiencies over 95%.

Adjustable Output: The output voltage of PS-1A can be adjusted by turning a potentiometer. Please see the figure.

PS-1A is pin compatible with 78xx series linear regulator ICs and can be used as a drop in replacement for them.

Using PS-1A as a Fixed Output DC-DC Regulator

The output voltage of PS-1A is adjusted by turning a potentiometer. Replacing the potentiometer by a fixed resistor would set the output voltage of PS-1A to a fixed value. The PCB of PS-1A contains a footprint to solder a surface mount fixed resistor instead of the potentiometer. This can be done by the user using commonly used soldering equipment. The equation for computing the resistor value required to obtain the desired output voltage is provided in the datasheet. Please contact Invinyx Electronics if you require PS-1A in a fixed output configuration and would like us to do it for you.