OREANDA-NEWS. Toshiba Corporation announced the launch of "TB9042FTG", a multi-output system power supply IC that enhances monitoring functions in general automotive applications. Sample shipments will start on November 1, 2013, with mass production scheduled to start in May 2014.

The increasing importance of ISO 26262, the international standard for "Road Vehicles - Functional Safety", requires monitoring of the functions of power supply ICs. The new IC incorporates multiple monitoring functions that detect any malfunctions of the IC and external microcontrollers. It also integrates a transmitting function that transfers data on monitoring status to an external microcontroller, which further supports improved safety.

Increasingly higher current is required for automotive applications. The IC's built-in highly electrically efficient DC-DC converters reduce power consumption, and its series regulators realize low noise power supply.