11 Switching Regulator Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for switching regulators as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 11 switching regulator manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked switching regulator companies as of April, 2024: 1.Vicor Corporation, 2.RECOM Power GmbH., 3.ROHM Co., Ltd..
Table of Contents
What Is a Switching Regulator?
A switching power supply (SMPS) is a power supply that incorporates a highly efficient power conversion circuit called a Switching Regulator.
Electronic devices with ICs and microcontrollers require stable direct current with minimal voltage fluctuation. There are two types of regulated power supplies: linear power supplies and switching regulators, but linear power supplies have been the most common.
In the case of linear power supplies, the circuit is simple. It converts a 100 V AC voltage into a constant AC voltage and rectifies the AC current by utilizing the diode's property of flowing forward current but not reverse current. It further uses a capacitor to smooth it out. However, this had the disadvantage that it did not allow power supplies to be made smaller or more efficient.
Switching regulators have solved this problem. While linear power supplies convert commercial alternating current to voltage and then rectify it, switching regulators do the exact opposite: they rectify commercial alternating current to DC and then convert it to voltage.
Then, by switching on and off, it is converted into pulse wave AC and fed into a high-frequency transformer, which is the mechanism of switching regulator.
The feature of switching power supplies is that they are smaller and lighter, but their circuits are more complex.
Uses of Switching Regulators
Compared to conventional linear power supplies, switching regulators have much more complex circuits, but they have the advantage of being extremely compact due to the use of ICs for the stabilization circuit.
The large and heavy power transformer (a device that uses electromagnetic induction to convert the height of AC power voltage) is not installed, as in the case of a simple power supply, and this has made it possible to reduce the size and weight.
Because of this compactness and light weight, applications for switching regulators include AC adapters for cell phones. They are also highly compatible with small electronic devices such as PCs and tablets, which are often carried around.
Recently, in order to further promote miniaturization, high-power and high-efficiency GaN devices have been incorporated into switching regulators for AC adapters to realize even smaller AC adapters compared to conventional Si devices.
Principle of Switching Regulators
The principle of switching regulators is the opposite of the conventional linear power supply. Linear power supplies use a transformer to convert commercial current to voltage and then rectify it, whereas switching regulators first rectify commercial alternating current to DC and then convert it to voltage. However, once rectified, voltage conversion cannot be performed using a transformer.
Therefore, in switching regulators, the rectified current is converted into pulse-oriented AC by high-speed switching of semiconductor elements such as transistors and MOS FETs, and then fed into a high-frequency transformer. This increases the number of components and circuits required and makes them more complex, but this complexity is the key to switching regulators.
There are several types of control methods for switching regulators, the most common of which is the PWM (pulse width modulation) method. PWM is a method of stabilizing voltage by adjusting the on-time of the switching on/off cycle, or the width of the pulse wave, so that the area of each pulse is the same. Switching regulators can also be said to increase efficiency because the output can be adjusted by switching on and off.
In addition, since the pulses of switching regulators are high-frequency, ranging from tens to hundreds of kHz, the transformer can be small and lightweight. However, high frequencies increase the loss of the iron core, so a ferrite core is used. This improves power supply efficiency and saves energy.
The ferrite core has a core rod made of a material called ferrite that is attached to the cable so that it wraps the cable. This absorbs the magnetic field generated by the high-frequency noise current flowing through the cable and converts it into heat, thereby reducing noise.
The weak point of switching regulators is the generation of noise due to high-speed switching, which is expected to be reduced by ferrite technology.
Other Information on Switching Regulators
1. Frequency of Switching Regulators
Switching regulators convert the output voltage to a specified voltage value by adjusting the ON/OFF time of the switching operation using semiconductor elements. The frequency of the signal that controls this switching is called switching frequency.
2. Reason Why 24V Voltage Is Often Used
In electrical products that use switching regulators, the output voltage required for the power supply is often 24 VDC. The reason for this is that control circuits require that voltage, although there are various theories.
One theory is that since DC was once often powered by batteries, it was determined by an integral multiple of the 1.5V of a dry cell battery cell. In small devices, 6V, 9V, 12V, etc. are also used, but these are also integer multiples of 1.5.
In the days before PLCs (programmable controllers) replaced control circuits used in factory automation, circuits consisted of electromagnetic relays, and the voltage was used to turn on the relays.
As a remnant of this, 24V is still often used today. There are also other reasons such as the fact that 24 VDC is more resistant to noise environments.
3. Noise in Switching Regulators
Switching regulators use switching elements to turn current on and off at high speed, so it is inevitable that they generate high-frequency noise.
The history of the development of switching regulators has been one of increasing efficiency and at the same time, noise suppression has been a must. Modern switching regulators are equipped with various noise suppression measures.
Switching regulators are themselves a source of noise. Noise is not only added to the output power line, but also becomes electromagnetic waves that affect electronic equipment.
The following methods are available for noise suppression:
- Reflection
Using inductors and capacitors as filters to prevent noise components from being transmitted - Absorption
Absorbing noise with ferrite cores, etc. and converting it into heat or other energy - Bypass
Dropping noise to ground with capacitors, etc. - Shield
Radiated noise components are dropped to the ground with a metal case or absorbed with a ferrite material or other radio wave absorbing material.
4. Detailed Examples of Noise Suppression for Switching Regulators
The most common types of noise are common mode noise and differential noise.
Common mode noise
This is noise that leaks through parasitic capacitance generated between the switching regulator circuit board and the equipment chassis and returns to the power supply side through the GND as a loop path.
Differential Noise
In this case, the noise is current noise from a noise source entering the switching regulator circuit in series with and returning to the power supply side via the power supply line. As the name implies, the direction of each noise current at the positive and negative poles of the power supply is opposite and is also called normal mode noise.
It is called differential noise because the direction of the noise current at the positive and negative poles of the power supply is the same for each.
Generally speaking, common mode noise is the more radiated of the two types of noise, but countermeasures must be taken for both if the allowable noise level is exceeded. The first method is to shorten the cable length of the path or to use stranded cables.
For more serious countermeasures, a noise filter must be added. Choke coils are effective against common-mode noise. A bypass capacitor to ground, called a pass capacitor, is also used. Differential noise suppression is achieved by connecting capacitors between power lines flowing in opposite directions.
List of 11 Switching Regulator Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Austria
- China
- Japan
-
-
-
Vicor Corporation
ZVS Buck Switching Regulators
Manufacturer Overview
Vicor Corporation, incorporated in 1981, is a global company headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, that designs, manufactures, and markets modular power components and complete power systems. The company supports customers to efficiently convert and manage power from the wall plug to the point-of-load. Their customized power systems can provide specific solutions to the customer from modular, plug-and-play components to semiconductor centric solutions. They have a number of patented technologies based on modular power components. Their continual advances in power delivery architectures, conversion topologies and packaging technology will keep their customers ahead in system efficiency and density.
-
-
-
-
-
Analog Devices, Inc.
Switching Regulators
Manufacturer Overview
Incorporated in 1965, Analog Devices, Inc. designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems that leverage analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing technologies. The company provides data converter products, power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and high-end consumer markets. In addition, the company provides digital signal processing and system products for high-speed numeric calculations. It serves clients in the industrial, automotive, consumer, instrumentation, aerospace, and communications markets.
-
-
-
-
-
Microchip Technology Inc.
Switching Regulators—Buck and Boost Voltage Conversion
Manufacturer Overview
Microchip Technology Incorporated was incorporated in 1989 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. The company is a developer and manufacturer of control solutions for global markets including the automotive, industrial, communications, human-machine interface, and connectivity industries. The company’s products include microcontrollers, field-programmable gate array products, MOSFET and radio frequency products, and both wired and wireless communications products. The company’s services include wafer foundry and assembly services, test subcontracting manufacturing services, development tools for enabling system designers to program microcontrollers and processors, and timing system products.
-
-
-
-
-
MORNSUN Guangzhou Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
Non-isolated switching regulator
Manufacturer Overview
Morson America LLC, founded in 1998 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer of industrial power supply solutions. The company's product line includes AC-DC converters, DC-DC converters, transceiver modules, isolation amplifiers, and power supply controllers. Morson America LLC's products are used in the industrial, medical, telecommunications, and engineering fields. Morson America’s products can be found in EV batteries, photovoltaic systems, and smart home appliances. The company holds ISO 9001:2000, ISO 4001, and OHSMS 18001 certifications.
-
-
-
-
Manufacturer Overview
Omron Corporation, started in 1933 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of automation components, equipment, and systems, and it developed the first contactless proximity switch in 1960. It has four domains, including industrial automation, electronic components, healthcare, and social systems, and it provides products and services in around 120 countries and regions. Some of its products include microsensing devices, access control systems, industrial robots, surveillance cameras, and blood pressure monitors. In 1971, it developed the first online cash machine, and in 1972, it established Japan’s first welfare factory.
-
-
-
-
STMicroelectronics
DC-DC Switching Converters
Manufacturer Overview
ST Micro Electronics is a global semiconductor company serving customers with innovations to have a positive impact on people's lives. Their product line is micro electronic systems, such as switches, controllers, sensors and drivers. The main selling point of ST Micro Electronics is its provision of sustainable products, and introducing their electronics to create a more sustainable world. The company, as well as providing the electronic devices, also provides software and support, ensuring that all fields are covered to provide a fully provide a supported and strong relationship with their customer base. ST Micro Electronics believe that technology plays a key role in helping to solve environmental and social challenges, which is why their semiconductor technologies start with their employees, their customers and partners.
-
-
-
-
-
Texas Instruments
DC/DC switching regulators
Manufacturer Overview
Texas Instruments Incorporated was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Texas Instruments is a producer of high tech equipment for industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment industries. Texas Instruments designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers in the United States and internationally. Texas Instruments operates in two segments: analog and embedded processing. The Analog segment offers power products, including battery-management solutions, DC/DC switching regulators, power switches, linear regulators, voltage references, and lighting products. The Embedded Processing segment offers microcontrollers that are used in fields such as electronic equipment and digital signal processors for mathematical computations.
-
-
-
-
-
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
DC-DC Power Converters
Manufacturer Overview
Monolithic Power Systems (MPS), founded in 1997 and headquartered in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer of integrated circuits (ICs). Their product range includes switch-mode power supplies (SMPS) for converting AC or DC power to lower voltage DC power, LED drivers for driving LED lights, battery management ICs to manage power in portable devices, power factor correction (PFC) ICs for improving power supply efficiency, and sensorless motor control ICs to control motors without position sensors. MPS's solutions find applications in consumer electronics, industrial, and automotive industries, offering efficient power management solutions to enhance various electronic devices.
-
-
-
-
-
Arrow Electronics, Inc,
Switching Regulator Module
Company Overview
Arrow Electronics, Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of electronic components and enterprise software that was established in 1935 in New York City, New York, USA. The company primarily produces electronic components including interconnect cable assemblies, semiconductors, and fiber optics. It also offers enterprise computing software such as security suites, servers, and cloud hosts. The company is ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001-certified, and provides custom design as well as engineering services for its clients with unique projects.
-
-
-
-
-
ROHM Co., Ltd.
DC-DC Converter ICs
Company Overview
ROHM Semiconductor was incorporated in 1940 and is headquartered in Kyoto, Japan. ROHM manufactures and sells electronic components worldwide. ROHM operates through the segments ICs, discrete semiconductor devices, and modules. ROHM provides ICs comprising memory, amplifiers and linear, power management, clocks and timers, switches and multiplexers, logic, data converters, sensors and MEMS, display drivers, motor/actuator drivers, interfaces, communication and speech synthesis LSI, audio and video, and microcontrollers. ROHM also offers discrete semiconductor products include MOSFETs, bipolar transistors, and diodes; power devices, including power transistors and diodes, SiC power devices, IGBT, and IPM; passive devices, such as resistors, and conductive polymer and tantalum capacitors; and various modules among others.
-
-
-
-
-
RECOM Power GmbH.
Switching Regulators
Distributor Overview
RECOM Power GmbH, established in 1974, is a global supplier of electronic power converters, regulators, drivers, among other electronics, based in Gmunden, Oberösterreich, Austria. With a history spanning over four decades, they develop advanced modular isolated DC/DC and AC/DC power supplies, offering over 20,000 modules designed for diverse electronic applications. The company possesses ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018, DoC REACH, DoC RoHS2 samt 2015/863/EU, and numerous other certifications. Through rigorous testing and HALT procedures they are able to provide warranties ranging from 3 to 7 years.
-
-
Switching Regulator Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vicor Corporation |
19.4%
|
| 2 | RECOM Power GmbH. |
13.9%
|
| 3 | Microchip Technology Inc. |
13.9%
|
| 4 | ROHM Co., Ltd. |
11.1%
|
| 5 | Omron |
11.1%
|
| 6 | Arrow Electronics, Inc, |
8.3%
|
| 7 | Texas Instruments |
8.3%
|
| 8 | Analog Devices, Inc. |
8.3%
|
| 9 | Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. |
5.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the switching regulator page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- ROHM Co., Ltd.: 23,754
- Vicor Corporation: 1,106
Newly Established Company
- Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.: 1997 (27 years ago)
- MORNSUN Guangzhou Science & Technology Co., Ltd.: 1988 (36 years ago)
- RECOM Power GmbH.: 1974 (50 years ago)
Company with a History
- Texas Instruments: 1930 (94 years ago)
- ROHM Co., Ltd.: 1958 (66 years ago)
- RECOM Power GmbH.: 1974 (50 years ago)
Switching Regulator Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Switching Regulator Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
United States of America
|
3 | 50.0% |
China
|
1 | 16.7% |
Japan
|
1 | 16.7% |
Austria
|
1 | 16.7% |
List of Switching Regulator Products
90 products are listed.
Tokitrading
210W switching power supply 2 Output ATM210T
10+ people viewing
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
250W switching power supply IT medical care HBU250
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Luci
Power supply for electric tablets
With the difficulty of procurement of competitors, we designed the same product, such as matching the position of the screw hole. Furthermore, sinc...
Tokitrading
150W switching power supply ATM150T
10+ people viewing
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
12W 24w switching power supply
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
120W switching power supply ATM120T
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Asian Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
AC-DC switching power supply unit type (15-100W)
Long life is possible by mounting on chassis and heat dissipation plate. It is a unit type insulating type AC-DC switching power supply with a buil...
Tokitrading
65W switching power supply ATM065T
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
450W switching power supply 2 Output ATM450S
30+ people viewing
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
200W small switching power supply ATM200TS
Last viewed: 4 hours ago
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Luci
High power power supply for dental technical suctions brushless DC motors
A compact size has been realized for carrying. Not only domestic standards, but also necessary standards overseas. LUCI provides a sample of this ...
Wave Crest
Achieving high -efficiency power supply wide range programable switching DC power supply SPS5051X
■ Features ・ Rated output voltage: 40V, 50V, 80V, 160V ・ Rated output power: 180W, 360W, 720W, 1080W ・ Achieving high -efficiency power supply b...
Tokitrading
65W small switching power supply ATS065A1
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Asian Electronic Industry Co., Ltd.
AC-DC Switching Power Onboard Type (12-15W, 24-30W)
This is an on-board insulating AC-DC switching power supply with a built-in input filter.
Tokitrading
200W switching power supply ATM200T
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
250W switching power supply IT medical care HEU250A (ORB) -F
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
305W switching power supply 2 Output ATM305T
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
250W switching power supply IT medical care HEU250
10+ people viewing
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Tokitrading
612W switching power supply ATM600
We handle many open frame power supply. Output 12V, 15V, 19V, 24V, 36V, and 48V embedded switching power supply is popular for the simultaneously c...
Wave Crest
Achieving high -efficiency power supply wide range programable switching DC power supply SPS5000X series
■ Features ・ Rated output voltage: 40V, 50V, 80V, 160V ・ Rated output power: 180W, 360W, 720W, 1080W ・ Achieving high -efficiency power supply b...
Wave Crest
Achieving high -efficiency power supply wide range programable switching DC power supply SPS5061X
■ Main features ・ Rated output voltage: 40V, 50V, 80V, 160V ・ Rated output power: 180W, 360W, 720W, 1080W ・ Achieving high -efficiency power sup...
