Diodes Incorporated AP1501A-50K5L-13

Overview

AP1501A-50K5L-13 from Diodes Incorporated is a monolithic 150kHz, 5A non-synchronous PWM buck DC/DC converter with fixed 5V output, integrated power switch, thermal shutdown, and current-limit protection. It operates from 4.5V to 40V input, delivers ±4% output voltage accuracy at 5V under full load, and uses TO263-5 surface-mount packaging for high-power density step-down regulation in industrial power supplies.

For engineers reviewing the AP1501A-50K5L-13 datasheet, AP1501A-50K5L-13 pinout, AP1501A-50K5L-13 application, or AP1501A-50K5L-13 equivalent, key selection criteria include its 5A continuous output capability, internal switching transistor, 150kHz fixed-frequency operation enabling compact LC filtering, and logic-level ON/OFF shutdown control - all critical for board-space-constrained 5V rail generation.

Technical Context

The AP1501A-50K5L-13 implements voltage-mode PWM control with a built-in 1.23V reference and internal compensation network, eliminating external loop components. Its 150kHz ±15% oscillator sets the switching frequency, directly determining inductor and capacitor sizing for the buck stage.

Thermal shutdown activates at TJ ≥ 125°C, and cycle-by-cycle current limiting triggers at 5.5–6.5A peak switch current. The SD pin accepts logic-level signals (VIH ≥ 2.0V for OFF, VIL ≤ 0.6V for ON) to reduce quiescent current to 150–250µA in standby mode.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

AP1501A-50K5L-13 is housed in a thermally enhanced TO263-5 (D²PAK) surface-mount package with exposed metal tab electrically connected to GND for PCB heat sinking. Minimum recommended copper area is 0.8 in² (2 oz), ideally ≥2 in² for 5A operation.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar fixed-output buck regulator applications.

Compared with AP1501A-50K5G-13 (active replacement), the -50K5L-13 shares identical performance but lacks current RoHS/Green compliance; versus LM2596S-5.0/NOPB, it delivers 67% higher current capacity and superior thermal management in the same footprint - critical for sustained 5A operation.

Availability

AP1501A-50K5L-13 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for industrial PLC power supplies, automotive body control modules, and point-of-load DC/DC converters requiring stable component supply and proven thermal reliability in high-current buck applications.

Supply support for AP1501A-50K5L-13 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Diodes Incorporated is a global manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and analog ICs, specializing in high-reliability power management, signal integrity, and protection devices for industrial, computing, and automotive markets.

The AP1501A series belongs to Diodes' monolithic DC/DC converter product line, designed specifically for cost-sensitive, medium-power step-down applications where integration, thermal robustness, and ease of implementation are prioritized over programmability.

FAQ

Is AP1501A-50K5L-13 still in production?

No - Diodes Incorporated has declared AP1501A-50K5L-13 End of Life (EOL). The official replacement is AP1501A-50K5G-13, which maintains identical electrical and mechanical specifications while meeting current RoHS and halogen-free requirements. Customers must transition to the -G-13 variant for new designs and long-term supply assurance.

What is the maximum recommended PCB copper area for thermal management?

For reliable 5A operation at +85°C ambient, Diodes recommends ≥2 in² of 2 oz copper connected to the TO263-5 exposed tab. Testing shows diminishing returns beyond ~6 in²; double-sided boards with internal ground planes or forced airflow further improve thermal resistance. Thermal resistance junction-to-ambient is 37°C/W under standard 3 in² test conditions.

Can AP1501A-50K5L-13 be used with an adjustable output configuration?

No - the "50" in the part number denotes a fixed 5.0V output version. Only the AP1501A-K5G-13 (or legacy -K5L-13) variant supports adjustable output via external resistor divider on the FB pin. Attempting to modify the feedback network on the -50 version will not yield stable regulation due to internal voltage reference hardwiring.

Does the SD pin require a pull-up or pull-down resistor for default operation?

No external resistor is required. When unused, the SD pin can be left floating or tied directly to GND to maintain the regulator in ON state. Diodes specifies that either connection ensures normal operation; pulling SD above 2.0V is only necessary when active shutdown control is implemented in the system firmware or logic.