NanoBuck: 3.3, 5, 9, 12 V Adjustable Regulator

The PN Labs NanoBuck is a highly-integrated adjustable step down voltage regulator that is perfect for powering peripherals that need to operate over a 4.5-36 V input voltage range. Since you can easily change the output voltage by using the onboard jumpers, it is very easy to reuse this module in multiple projects, saving you tons of money by not having to purchase a pile of different conventional regulators.

Its features include:

• Selectable voltage output of 3.3, 5, 9 or 12 V using solder jumpers. Up to 36 V input voltage with 40 V absolute max.
• Current output of 2-2.5 A continuous, see maximum current vs input voltage plot.
• Over-current and thermal shutdown with auto retry. See datasheet for more details
• Enable and Power Good pins for remote operation and fault monitoring.
• 4 ms soft-start to help with smooth turn on and highly capacitive loads.
• SMT compatible with castellated edges make it suitable for soldering to a larger PCB as a module.
• Breadboard compatible with 2.54 mm flat or right angle header pins (included).
• High quality heatsink supplied with thermal tape to use for increasing the current output. Compare the levels of current attainable with and without it in the documentation.

Using inductor-less switching technology, the NanoBuck boasts high efficiencies of 80-95% at continuous currents of up 2.5 A with the supplied heatsink. The actual current achievable depends on the ambient temperature, input voltage, and whether you attach the supplied heatsink. See the supplied graph for more details.

Why Integrated Inductor Technology is better: Unlike conventional buck regulators that rely on bulky external inductors, integrated inductor technology embeds the inductor directly into the package alongside the controller and switching elements. This integration reduces PCB footprint, increases power density, and simplifies board layout by eliminating the critical high-current loop from the external design.

With the inductor shielded and internally packaged, parasitic resistance and inductance are minimized, enabling higher switching frequencies with lower losses and improved transient response. The result is better efficiency, reduced radiated EMI and an overall smaller footprint. This IC also incorporates Dual Random Spread Spectrum (DRSS) technology to reduce EMI peaks.