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Features

  • Single inductor 4-switch buck-boost controller
  • On-the-fly bidirectional operation with independent control of voltage and current on both ends
  • Proprietary algorithm for smoothest mode transition
  • MOSFET drivers with adaptive shoot-through protection
  • Wide input voltage range: 4.5V to 40V
  • Wide output voltage range: 0.8V to 40V
  • Supports pre-biased output with SR soft-start
  • Programmable frequency: 100kHz to 600kHz
  • Supports parallel operation current sharing with cascade phase interleaving
  • External sync with clock out or frequency dithering
  • External bias for higher efficiency supports 5V to 36V input
  • Output and input current monitor
  • Selectable PWM mode operation between PWM/DE/Burst modes
  • Accurate EN/UVLO and PGOOD indicator
  • Low shutdown current: 2.7µA
  • Complete protection: OCP, SCP, OVP, OTP, and UVP
    • Dual-level OCP protection with average current and pulse-by-pulse peak current limit
    • Selectable OCP response with either hiccup or constant current mode
    • Negative pulse-by-pulse peak current limit

Description

The ISL81401 and ISL81401A are 4-switch synchronous buck-boost controllers with peak and average current sensing and monitoring at both ends. The ISL81401 is a bidirectional device that can conduct current in both directions, while the ISL81401A is an unidirectional device. The ISL81401 and ISL81401A use the proprietary buck-boost control algorithm with valley current modulation for Boost mode and peak current modulation for Buck mode control. The ISL81401 and ISL81401A have four independent control loops for input and output voltages and currents. Inherent peak current sensing at both ends and cycle-by-cycle current limit of this family of products ensures high operational reliability by providing instant current limit in fast transient conditions at either end and in both directions. It also has two current monitoring pins at both input and output to facilitate Constant Current (CC) limit and other system management functions. CC operation down to low voltages avoids any runaway condition at overload or short-circuit conditions. In addition to multi-layer overcurrent protection, it also provides full protection features such as OVP, UVP, OTP, and average and peak current limit on both input and output to ensure high reliability in both unidirectional and bidirectional operation. The IC is packaged in a space-conscious 32 Ld 5mmx5mm QFN package to improve thermal dissipation and noise immunity. The unique DE/Burst mode at light-load dramatically lowers standby power consumption with consistent output ripple over different load levels.

Parameters

AttributesValue
Topology [Rail 1]Buck-Boost
Outputs (#)1
Input Voltage (Min) (V)4.5
Input Voltage (Max) (V)40
Output Voltage (Min) (V)0.8
Output Voltage (Max) (V)40
Quiescent Current50 µA
Switching Frequency Range (Typical) (kHz)600 - 600
Output Per Driver UGATE Source|Sink2|3
Output Per Driver LGATE Source|Sink2|3
SYNCH CapabilityYes
ParallelableYes
Bi-directionYes
Control TypeCurrent Mode
Temp. Range (°C)-40 to +125°C

Package Options

Pkg. TypePkg. Dimensions (mm)Lead Count (#)Pitch (mm)
QFN5.0 x 5.0 x 0.90320.5

Application Block Diagrams

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Complete Your Design

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Part NumberStatusSamplesStockRoHSPackageBudgetary Price (USD)Lead Count (#)Carrier TypeMoisture Sensitivity Level (MSL)Pb (Lead) FreePb Free CategoryTemp. Range (°C)Country of AssemblyCountry of Wafer Fabrication
ISL81401FRZActiveAvailableIn StockRoHS:EN
QFN1ku | $2.5432#Tube3YesPb-Free 100% Matte Tin Plate w/Anneal-e3-40 to +125°CMALAYSIATAIWAN
ISL81401FRZ-TActiveAvailableIn StockRoHS:EN
QFN1ku | $2.5432#Reel3YesPb-Free 100% Matte Tin Plate w/Anneal-e3-40 to +125°CMALAYSIATAIWAN
ISL81401FRZ-T7AObsoleteN/AIn StockRoHS:EN
QFN32#Reel3YesPb-Free 100% Matte Tin Plate w/Anneal-e3-40 to +125°C

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Support Communities

  1. ISL81401 evaluation board

    I am working on a dynamo manager for a vintage or veteran car.  https://blog.andrew-lohmann.me.uk/2025/09/vintage-and-veteran-car-dynamo-power.html Can the IC and EVB operate with 0.5V input and 0V output if I provide Vin ...

    Nov 30, 2025
  2. ISL81601 / ISL81401

    Hello! Help me please!I want to use ISL81601 or ISL81401 as a bi-directional battery charger-discharger! The most difficult thing for me is to determine the maximum discharge current! I want to select a choke and mosfet transistors to operate on a 50A (12V) load. My battery is ...

    Dec 12, 2023
  3. ISL81401. ExtBias

    VIN can be 4.5V to start then run at 3.5V. But MOSFETS need at least 4.5V.  I have a 5V auxillary supply that worst case could be 4.75V but ExtBias needs at least 4.8V to switch over So if I read the datasheet correctly my ...

    Mar 16, 2026
View All Results from Support Communities (6)

Knowledge Base

  1. What does a true bidirectional buck-boost controller do?

    ... manage and control the energy flow.          Now on the right-hand side we tackle the same design using a bidirectional buck-boost controller such as ISL81401, ISL81601 or ISL81801. And as you can see only one set of electronics serves the purpose of both charging and discharging which significantly lowers ...

    Oct 21, 2020
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