RK860-0 Rockchip DC-DC Buck Converter IC 6A High Current Adjustable Output 2.7-5.5V CSP-20

RK860-0 Product Overview

The RK860-0 is a high-performance single-channel synchronous rectification step-down DC-DC converter from Rockchip, packaged in ultra-small CSP-20 (1.6×2.0mm). Designed for portable devices, IoT terminals, and smart wearables with stringent size and power requirements, the device integrates built-in power switches. Input voltage ranges from 2.7V to 5.5V with output voltage adjustable from 0.7125V to 1.5V, delivering up to 6A output current to meet high-performance processor core power demands.

The RK860-0 features synchronous rectification technology, replacing freewheeling diodes with built-in synchronous rectifier MOSFETs to significantly reduce conduction loss — achieving over 10% efficiency improvement in high-current applications while simplifying peripheral circuitry. Operating at up to 2.4MHz switching frequency, it supports compact inductors and capacitors for further PCB space savings. With a wide -40°C to +125°C junction temperature range and 70μA quiescent current, the device is industrial-grade ready.

The RK860 series (including RK860-0, -1, -2, -3) is widely adopted in Rockchip RK3588 and other high-end processor platforms, providing high-current power supply for big CPU clusters and NPU.

RK860-0 Core Features

High Current Output： Up to 6A output current for high-performance processor cores and NPU

Adjustable Output Voltage： 0.7125V to 1.5V continuously adjustable to match load requirements

Wide Input Voltage Range： 2.7V to 5.5V compatible with Li-ion batteries, USB power, and 5V adapters

High Efficiency Synchronous Rectification： Built-in synchronous rectifier eliminates external MOSFETs, improves efficiency by over 10% at high currents

Ultra-Compact CSP Package： CSP-20 package measuring just 1.6×2.0mm saves approximately 40% PCB area compared to QFN

High Switching Frequency： 2.4MHz supports small inductors and capacitors for reduced peripheral footprint

Ultra-Low Quiescent Current： Only 70μA extends battery life in portable devices

Built-in Soft Start： Internal soft start with typical 260μs ramp time (at 1.0V output) reduces inrush current

Configurable Enable Ramp Delay： regulator-enable-ramp-delay ensures stable power before load driving

Industrial Wide Temperature： -40°C to +125°C junction temperature for industrial and outdoor applications

RK860-0 Applications

Smart Wearables： Stable power supply for low-power processors and heart rate sensors in smartwatches and TWS earbuds

Ultra-Thin Tablets/2-in-1 Devices： 6A current capability with 2.4MHz switching for compact power module design

IoT Terminals： Wide temperature operation with 70μA quiescent current extends battery life for sensor nodes

Rockchip Processor Companion： Deeply compatible with RK3566, RK3528, RK3588, powering big CPU clusters and NPU

Portable Devices： Core power conversion for handheld terminals and mobile devices

Embedded Systems： Industrial-grade power supply for SBCs and industrial control CPU cores

RK860-0 Key Advantages

Highest Power Density in Compact Package： RK860-0 delivers 6A output in 1.6×2.0mm CSP package, saving 40-50% PCB area compared to similar products

Synchronous Rectification for High Efficiency： Over 90% efficiency at 6A load with significantly lower heat generation vs asynchronous solutions

2.4MHz High Frequency for Miniaturization： 5x higher frequency vs traditional 500kHz DC-DCs, reducing power module footprint to under 10×10mm

70μA Ultra-Low Quiescent Current： Ideal for smart wearables and IoT where extended battery life is critical

Deeply Optimized for Rockchip Processors： Voltage and timing perfectly matched with RK3566, RK3528, RK3588 processor core power requirements

Industrial Wide Temperature Reliability： -40°C to +125°C for outdoor base stations and automotive applications with stable output across temperature range

CSP Package Assembly Friendly： 0.4mm pitch supports standard SMT reflow with higher yield than QFN packages

Soft Start for Inrush Protection： 260μs soft start protects front-end power supplies in hot-swap and power-sensitive applications

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FAQ:

1. What is the RK860-0 and its key specifications?
   The RK860-0 is a high‑performance DC‑DC synchronous buck converter from Rockchip, designed to deliver up to 6 A of continuous output current. It operates at a fixed 2.4 MHz switching frequency, enabling the use of tiny inductors and capacitors. Key features include an input voltage range of 2.7 V – 5.5 V, an adjustable output voltage (typically 0.6 V – 1.4 V via I2C), integrated power MOSFETs, and a very small CSP‑20 (WLCSP) package (approximately 1.63 mm × 2.03 mm). It achieves up to 95 % peak efficiency and is optimized for powering high‑performance SoCs, FPGAs, and other digital loads in space‑constrained designs.

2. How much output current can the RK860-0 supply?
   The RK860-0 is rated for a continuous output current of 6 A. It can handle higher peak currents for short durations, making it suitable for processors with bursty power demands. The integrated power MOSFETs and advanced thermal design allow it to deliver full current without an external heatsink, provided adequate PCB copper area is available for heat dissipation.

3. How can I adjust the output voltage of the RK860-0?
   The output voltage is programmed via an I2C interface. You can dynamically set the output voltage to a specific value within the supported range (typically from 0.6 V to 1.4 V in small steps). This digital control removes the need for external feedback resistors and allows the system to adjust the core voltage for power‑saving modes (e.g., DVFS) under software control.

4. What is the switching frequency and why is 2.4 MHz beneficial?
   It operates at a fixed 2.4 MHz switching frequency. This high frequency significantly reduces the size of the required inductor and output capacitor — typically a 0.47 µH inductor and small ceramic capacitors. A high frequency also moves switching noise well above the audio band and allows faster transient response, making the design very compact while still delivering 6 A of current.

5. What is the efficiency of the RK860-0 and how does it achieve such high efficiency?
   It can reach a peak efficiency of up to 95 %. The high efficiency is achieved through integrated low‑R_DS(on) MOSFETs, synchronous rectification, and optimized gate drivers. At light loads, it automatically enters a power‑saving mode (PFM) to maintain high efficiency. The 2.4 MHz operation and small CSP package minimize parasitic losses, keeping thermal dissipation low even at full 6 A load.

6. What protection features does the RK860-0 include?
   The RK860-0 includes a comprehensive set of protection features: over‑current protection (OCP) on a cycle‑by‑cycle basis, over‑temperature protection (OTP) with hysteresis, under‑voltage lockout (UVLO) on the input, and output over‑voltage protection (OVP). It also supports soft‑start to limit inrush current and a power‑good (PG) flag to indicate when the output is in regulation. These features ensure safe operation in demanding applications.

7. What is the input voltage range and what supplies can power the RK860-0?
   The input voltage range is 2.7 V to 5.5 V. This makes it compatible with common single‑cell Li‑ion batteries (3.0 V – 4.2 V), 5 V USB rails, and standard 3.3 V or 5 V system supplies. The wide input range gives flexibility to use the same converter in battery‑powered devices as well as mains‑powered equipment.

8. How small is the CSP‑20 package, and what does it mean for PCB design?
   The CSP‑20 package measures only 1.63 mm × 2.03 mm, with a 0.4 mm ball pitch. This ultra‑compact size, combined with the high switching frequency, creates a total solution footprint of less than 50 mm². It is ideal for smartphones, tablets, wearables, and any design where board space is at a premium. Because it is a wafer‑level package, it also exhibits very low parasitic inductance, contributing to the high efficiency and low EMI.

9. How does the RK860-0 compare to the RK860-2?
   Both are members of Rockchip's high‑current buck converter family. The primary difference is the output current rating: the RK860-2 is rated for 7 A, while the RK860-0 provides 6 A. They share the same input voltage range (2.7–5.5 V), switching frequency (2.4 MHz), I2C programmability, CSP package footprint, and protection features. The RK860-0 is slightly more cost‑effective and is suitable for applications where 6 A is sufficient, while the RK860-2 gives extra current headroom for more power‑hungry loads.

10. What are the most typical applications of the RK860-0?
    It is commonly used to supply core and I/O voltages for high‑performance Rockchip SoCs (e.g., RK3566, RK3568), FPGAs, AI accelerators, and other power‑hungry digital chips. Because of its tiny size, it is a popular choice in smartphones, tablets, AIoT edge devices, drones, and portable instruments. The combination of 6 A capacity, I2C programmability, and a CSP package makes it an excellent power management IC for modern compact electronics.