LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB - Dual 1.5A Buck + Dual 300mA LDO PMU | TI
MPN: LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $4.2 | $4.20 |
| 10 | $3.78 | $37.80 |
| 100 | $3.4 | $340.00 |
| 500 | $3.05 | $1,525.00 |
| 1,000 | $2.71 | $2,710.00 |
LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB Overview
A Power Management Unit (PMU) is an integrated circuit that consolidates multiple voltage rails - typically switching converters for high-current loads and LDOs for noise-sensitive analog supplies - into a single package. PMUs belong to the broader category of power management ICs (PMICs) and are commonly used in space-constrained, multi-rail systems such as automotive infotainment, industrial controllers, and portable embedded platforms where board area, BOM count, and reliability are critical design constraints.
Key features of the LM26480 include external programmability for output voltages, soft-start, undervoltage lockout (UVLO), current limiting, and thermal shutdown protection. The two synchronous buck converters achieve typical efficiencies of 96%, while the two LDOs provide clean post-regulation rails for analog blocks. The QSQ-AA suffix denotes the automotive-qualified Q1 grade tape-and-reel packaging variant with 1.2mm maximum package height.
The device architecture combines a fixed-frequency peak current-mode control loop for the buck converters with low-dropout pass-FET topology for the LDOs. The 2 MHz switching frequency allows the use of small 1uH inductors and 10uF ceramic output capacitors, minimizing total solution footprint. The LDO controllers accept input from either the buck outputs or the system rail and produce low-noise outputs suitable for RF, audio codec, or sensor analog supplies.
Typical applications include automotive infotainment and instrument cluster power, FPGA and DSP core/IO rail generation, industrial HMI controllers, portable handheld devices, and SSD storage modules. The integration of four rails in a single 4x4 mm WQFN dramatically reduces PCB area versus discrete regulator implementations.
Designers should observe thermal derating at full load across both buck outputs, ensure proper PCB layout to minimize switching noise coupling into the LDOs, and place input/output capacitors close to the IC. Refer to the TI LM26480 datasheet for the recommended inductor selection, feedback resistor tables, and PCB layout guidelines.
This page synthesizes distributor pricing, AEC-Q100 cross-brand drop-in equivalents, and practical design notes not aggregated on individual manufacturer or distributor product pages.
Drop-in alternatives for LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Variants in this series
Same-series models that are drop-in compatible with LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB (same form factor and footprint) — differing in Package, RoHS Status, Topology.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
LM26480SQ-AA/NOPB
✅ Drop-In✓ In Stock
$2.18 / Unit
View Datasheet →LM26480QSQX-AA/NOPB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM26480QSQ-CF/NOPB
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ADP5037
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM26480SQ-AAEV
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | Step-Down (Buck) Synchronous x2 + Linear (LDO) x2 |
| Number of Outputs | 4 |
| Input Voltage Range (VIN) | 2.8 V to 5.5 V |
| Buck Output Current (each) | 1.5 A |
| LDO Output Current (each) | 300 mA |
| Buck Output Voltage Range | 0.8 V to 2 V (per datasheet Output 1 entry) |
| Switching Frequency | 2 MHz |
| Buck Efficiency (typical) | 96% |
| Package | WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Operating Temperature Range | -40 C to +125 C |
| Automotive Qualification | AEC-Q100 (LM26480-Q1 variant) |
| Packaging | Tape & Reel (TR) |
| MSL Level | 3 (per JEDEC J-STD-020, assumed) |
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free (NOPB suffix) | Yes |
| Protection Features | Soft Start, UVLO, Current Limit, Thermal Shutdown |
| Number of Pins | 24 |
LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | VIN1 — Input supply for buck 1 |
| Pin 2 | BST1 — Bootstrap for buck 1 high-side gate driver |
| Pin 3 | SW1 — Switch node for buck 1 |
| Pin 4 | PGND1 — Power ground for buck 1 |
| Pin 5 | FB1 — Feedback for buck 1 output voltage |
| Pin 6 | EN1 — Enable for buck 1 (active high) |
| Pin 7 | VIN2 — Input supply for buck 2 |
| Pin 8 | BST2 — Bootstrap for buck 2 high-side gate driver |
| Pin 9 | SW2 — Switch node for buck 2 |
| Pin 10 | PGND2 — Power ground for buck 2 |
| Pin 11 | FB2 — Feedback for buck 2 output voltage |
| Pin 12 | EN2 — Enable for buck 2 (active high) |
| Pin 13 | VINLDO1 — Input supply for LDO1 |
| Pin 14 | ENLDO1 — Enable for LDO1 (active high) |
| Pin 15 | FBLDO1 — Feedback for LDO1 output voltage |
| Pin 16 | VOUTLDO1 — Regulated output of LDO1 |
| Pin 17 | VINLDO2 — Input supply for LDO2 |
| Pin 18 | ENLDO2 — Enable for LDO2 (active high) |
| Pin 19 | FBLDO2 — Feedback for LDO2 output voltage |
| Pin 20 | VOUTLDO2 — Regulated output of LDO2 |
| Pin 21 | AGND — Analog ground |
| Pin 22 | SS — Soft-start control |
| Pin 23 | PGOOD — Power good indicator (open drain) |
| Pin 24 | VIN — Main IC supply input |
Typical Applications
LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB is suitable for 6 applications: Automotive Infotainment Head Unit, Automotive Instrument Cluster, FPGA / DSP Multi-Rail Power, Industrial HMI / PLC Controller, Portable Handheld / Wearable Device, SSD Storage Module.
Automotive Infotainment Head Unit
The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB is purpose-built for automotive infotainment systems that require multiple voltage rails from a single 5V or battery-derived input. The two 1.5A synchronous buck converters at 96% typical efficiency generate the SoC core rail (e.g., 1.2V) and a DDR memory rail (e.g., 1.35V/1.5V), while the two 300mA LDOs supply clean, low-noise power to audio codec and tuner analog sections. AEC-Q100 qualification and -40C to +125C operation directly address automotive reliability and temperature requirements. The 2 MHz switching frequency enables use of small 1uH inductors, keeping the total power stage footprint within roughly 25 mm squared - critical for space-constrained head-unit PCBs where the LM26480 replaces three or four discrete regulators and shrinks BOM cost.
Recommended
Automotive Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument clusters require stable, low-noise rails for the display driver, microcontroller, and CAN transceivers - all within tight automotive EMI and thermal constraints. The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB delivers this by integrating two buck converters (1.5A each) for MCU core and display backlight driver, plus two 300mA LDOs for CAN PHY and sensor analog supplies. AEC-Q100 Grade 1 qualification and integrated UVLO/current-limit/thermal-shutdown protection satisfy ISO 26262 system-level reliability targets. The 4x4 mm WQFN package with exposed thermal pad allows direct soldering to a ground copper pour, supporting sustained operation at high ambient temperatures inside the dashboard without requiring an external heatsink.
Recommended
FPGA / DSP Multi-Rail Power
Embedded FPGA and DSP systems typically require 3-4 separate voltage rails (core VCCINT, auxiliary VCCAUX, IO VCCIO, and DDR termination VTT), each with different current and noise requirements. The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB consolidates this multi-rail generation into a single IC: the two 1.5A bucks provide high-current core and IO rails at high efficiency (96% typical), while the two 300mA LDOs deliver low-noise auxiliary and reference voltages. The 2 MHz switching frequency falls outside the AM radio band, simplifying EMI filtering. External feedback resistors allow each rail to be set independently, matching the specific voltage requirements of popular FPGA families such as Lattice ECP5 or TI DSP series.
Recommended
Industrial HMI / PLC Controller
Industrial Human-Machine Interface (HMI) panels and small PLC controllers operate from 24V industrial buses stepped down to 5V/3.3V logic rails. The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB accepts the post-regulation 5V input and produces four clean rails for the HMI processor, touch controller, display driver, and isolated communication PHY. The -40C to +125C operating range and integrated protection features (UVLO, current limit, thermal shutdown) handle industrial factory-floor conditions including voltage transients and temperature extremes. The compact WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm package simplifies PCB layout in space-constrained HMI enclosures and panel-mount designs.
Recommended
Portable Handheld / Wearable Device
Battery-powered portable and wearable devices prioritize low quiescent current, small PCB area, and high efficiency to maximize runtime. The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB delivers high efficiency (96% typical on bucks) from a single Li-ion cell (2.8V-4.2V), extending battery life by 10-15% compared to discrete LDO-only solutions. The 2 MHz switching frequency and small 1uH inductor support total solution height under 1.5 mm, fitting inside wearable enclosures. The two LDOs can be software-disabled when their loads are in sleep mode, minimizing quiescent current draw. External programmability allows optimizing each rail voltage to match the specific SoC, BLE radio, and sensor requirements.
Recommended
SSD Storage Module
NVMe and SATA SSD modules require multiple precisely-regulated rails: 3.3V for NAND I/O, 1.2V for the controller core, 1.8V for the NAND interface, and a low-noise analog rail for the PHY. The LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB supplies this exact rail set from the 3.3V host supply, eliminating the need for multiple discrete regulators and shrinking the SSD power section. The high-efficiency synchronous bucks reduce in-module heat dissipation, which is critical in compact M.2 form factors where thermal headroom is limited. AEC-Q100 qualification makes this PMU also suitable for industrial-temperature SSD modules operating in harsh environments.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for LM26480QSQ-AA/NOPB — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | LM26480SQ-AA/NOPB | LM26480QSQX-AA/NOPB | LM26480QSQ-CF/NOPB | ADP5037 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Texas Instruments | Analog Devices |
| Package | WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm | WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm - same | WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm - same | WQFN-24 (RTW) 4x4 mm - same | LFCSP-24 (4x4 mm) - same body |
| Input Voltage Range | 2.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.8 V to 5.5 V | 2.3 V to 5.5 V |
| Buck Output Current | 1.5 A (each) | 1.5 A (each) | 1.5 A (each) | 1.5 A (each) | 0.8 A (each) |
| LDO Output Current | 300 mA (each) | 300 mA (each) | 300 mA (each) | 300 mA (each) | 300 mA (each) |
| Switching Frequency | 2 MHz | 2 MHz | 2 MHz | 2 MHz | 3 MHz |
| Automotive Grade | AEC-Q100 (Q1) | No (commercial) | AEC-Q100 (Q1) | AEC-Q100 (Q1) | AEC-Q100 (varies by part) |
| Operating Temperature | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C | -40 C to +125 C |
| Topology | 2x Buck + 2x LDO | 2x Buck + 2x LDO | 2x Buck + 2x LDO | 2x Buck + 2x LDO | 2x Buck + 2x LDO |
| Quantity-1 Price (USD) | 4.20 | ~3.50 | ~4.20 | ~4.20 | ~3.80 |
Key Differentiators
- Higher buck current capability per rail (1.5A vs 0.8A) (vs ADP5037)
- AEC-Q100 qualification with full -40C to +125C automotive temperature range (vs LM26480SQ-AA/NOPB)
- External resistor programmability for all four rails (vs LM26480QSQ-CF/NOPB)
Design Notes
Estimated: at VIN=5V, VOUT1=1.2V, IOUT1=1.5A, VOUT2=1.8V, IOUT2=1.0A, total buck dissipation is approximately (5-1.2)*1.5*0.04 + (5-1.8)*1.0*0.04 = 0.232 W (assuming 96% efficiency). Adding LDO dissipation (e.g., 300mA * 0.5V dropout = 0.15W per LDO), total IC power is about 0.53W. With the WQFN-24 RTW theta_JA around 35-40 C/W on a standard 4-layer JEDEC board, junction rise is approximately 19-21 C - manageable without a heatsink but verify in your specific PCB layout.
Per TI layout guidelines: place input ceramic capacitors (10uF X5R minimum, 22uF recommended) within 2 mm of each VIN pin and PGND pins using wide copper pours to minimize parasitic inductance. Route the SW (switch) node traces as short and narrow as possible to limit radiated EMI. Keep the FB (feedback) traces away from the SW nodes and use a ground guard ring around the feedback resistors. The exposed thermal pad (EP) must be soldered to a continuous ground copper pour with at least 8 thermal vias to the inner/bottom ground plane for proper heat dissipation.
Do not exceed the 5.5V absolute maximum input voltage - the LM26480 is NOT designed for 12V or 24V automotive battery inputs and will be damaged. For 12V automotive systems, add an upstream pre-regulator (e.g., TPS54302 buck or TPS7A2010 LDO) to step down to 5V before the LM26480. Also verify that the LDO input voltage does not exceed the LDO dropout specification at your required output - per TI E2E forum guidance, an LDO requires VIN >= VOUT + Vdropout for proper regulation. Finally, the soft-start capacitor value directly controls inrush current; size it appropriately to limit startup current below the upstream supply's current limit.
Per the TI LM26480 datasheet: separate analog ground (AGND) and power ground (PGND) should be tied together at a single point under the exposed thermal pad to avoid ground loops. Use a star-ground topology with the LM26480 EP pin as the central tie point. Place all feedback resistors close to their respective FB pins with the resistor divider ground connected to the AGND pin (not PGND) to avoid injecting switching noise into the feedback loop. Keep the SW node copper area minimal and surround it with a ground copper pour to contain EMI.
The 2 MHz switching frequency is above the AM broadcast band, which simplifies automotive EMI compliance. To further reduce conducted EMI, add a pi-filter (LC network) at each buck input and consider shielded inductors for the SW nodes. Snubber circuits (RC) across each buck's SW node can reduce ringing on the switch node. Per the TI evaluation module layout, routing all SW traces on an internal layer and surrounding them with ground vias creates a Faraday cage that minimizes radiated emissions.
Compliance Information
AEC-Q100 qualified per the LM26480-Q1 product line. RoHS compliant per TI product page (NOPB suffix indicates lead-free terminal finish). Halogen-free status not explicitly stated in verified web data.
