New Renesas USB-C Power Solution with Innovative Three-Level Topology Improves Performance and Reduces System Size

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 20, 2025--

Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today introduced the RAA489300 / RAA489301 high-performance buck controller designed with a three-level buck topology used for battery charging and voltage regulation in USB-C systems such as multiple-port USB-PD chargers, portable power stations, PC docking station, robots, drones, and other applications that need a high efficiency DC/DC controller.

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The three-level buck converter topology enabled by the new IC delivers exceptional efficiency and significantly reduces the required inductance for regulating the output voltage. Its innovative design minimizes power loss and reduces system size, making it ideal for compact, high-performance applications.

The three-level topology consists of two additional switches and a flying capacitor compared to a conventional two-level buck converter. The flying capacitor reduces voltage stress on the switches, allowing designers to use lower voltage FETs with better figures of merit. The result is reduced conduction and switching losses. This topology also enables the use of a smaller inductor with peak-to-peak ripple of only about 25 percent of that of a two-level converter, enabling reduced inductor core and direct current resistance losses.

Renesas is a worldwide leader in USB-PD solutions, offering a comprehensive range of products including turnkey solutions for various applications. Renesas helps customers shorten their time-to-market with an extensive development environment and pre-certified USB-IF reference designs. Renesas USB-PD solutions offer superior quality and safety, along with high efficiency and power density.

“This three-level buck topology solution is a prime example of Renesas’ worldwide leadership in battery charging,” said Gaurang Shah, Vice President of the Power Division at Renesas. “The innovative technology includes patent-pending breakthroughs that offer our customers clear advantages over competing USB-C power offerings.”

The 3-Level DC-DC RAA489300/RAA489301 battery charger and voltage regulator offers superior thermal performance which reduces cooling requirements and results in cost and space savings. This innovative approach addresses the growing demand for compact and efficient power management systems.

Key Features of the RAA489300/RAA489301 battery charger and voltage regulator

Winning Combinations

Renesas offers the RTK-251-SinkCharger-240W and the 240W Dual-Port Daughter Card Winning Combinations that minimize the effort required for customers to design USB-C battery charging into their products. Winning Combinations are technically vetted system architectures from mutually compatible devices that work together seamlessly to bring an optimized, low-risk design for faster time to market. Renesas offers more than 400 Winning Combinations with a wide range of products from the Renesas portfolio to enable customers to speed up the design process and bring their products to market more quickly. They can be found at renesas.com/win.

Device Availability

The RAA489300/RAA489301 is available today in a 4×4 mm 32-lead TQFN package. Comprehensive design support and tools, including the RTK-251-SinkCharger-240W Kit and the RTKA489300DE0000BU Evaluation Board, are also available. For more information, please visit https://www.renesas.com/raa489300.

Renesas Power Management Leadership

A world leader in power management ICs, Renesas ships more than 1.5 billion units per year, with increased shipments serving the computing industry, and the remainder supporting industrial and Internet of Things applications as well as data center and communications infrastructure. Renesas has the broadest portfolio of power management devices, delivering unmatched quality and efficiency with exceptional battery life. As a trusted supplier, Renesas has decades of experience designing power management ICs, backed by a dual-source production model, the industry’s most advanced process technology, and a vast network of more than 250 ecosystem partners. For more information about Renesas, visit www.renesas.com/power.

About Renesas Electronics Corporation

Renesas Electronics Corporation ( TSE: 6723 ) empowers a safer, smarter and more sustainable future where technology helps make our lives easier. A leading global provider of microcontrollers, Renesas combines our expertise in embedded processing, analog, power and connectivity to deliver complete semiconductor solutions. These Winning Combinations accelerate time to market for automotive, industrial, infrastructure and IoT applications, enabling billions of connected, intelligent devices that enhance the way people work and live. Learn more at renesas.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, YouTube and Instagram.

(Remarks). USB Type-C® and USB-C® are registered trademarks of USB Implementers Forum. All names of products or services mentioned in this press release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

New Renesas USB-C Power Solution with Innovative Three-Level Topology Improves Performance and Reduces System Size

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, the last Democrat to hold statewide office in Alabama, kicked off his campaign for governor Friday, saying voters deserve a choice and a leader who will put aside divisions to address the state's pressing needs.

“With your help we can finish what we began. We can build the Alabama we’ve always deserved,” Jones told a packed crowd at a Birmingham campaign rally featuring musician Jason Isbell.

He said the state has urgent economic, health care and educational issues that are not being addressed by those in public office.

The campaign kickoff came on the eighth anniversary of Jones' stunning 2017 win over Republican Roy Moore, and Jones said Alabama proved back then that it can defy “simplified labels of red and blue.”

“You stood up and you said something simple but powerful. We can do better,” Jones said. “You said with your votes that our values, Alabama values, are more important than any political party, any personality, any prepackaged ideology.”

His entry into the race sets up a possible rematch with Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville, who defeated Jones by 20 points in 2020 and is also now running for governor. Both will have party primaries in May before the November election.

Before running for office, Jones, a lawyer and former U.S. attorney, was best known for prosecuting two Ku Klux Klansmen responsible for Birmingham’s infamous 1963 church bombing.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Jones said families are having a hard time with things like health care, energy bills and simply making ends meet.

“People are struggling,” he said. “They are hurting.”

Jones used part of his speech to describe his agenda if elected governor. He said it is time for Alabama to join most states in establishing a state lottery and expanding Medicaid. Expanding Medicaid, he said, will protect rural hospitals from closure and provide health care coverage to working families and others who need it.

He criticized Tuberville's opposition to extending Affordable Care Act subsidies. Jones said many Alabama families depend on those subsides to buy health insurance "to keep their families healthy."

Alabama has not elected a Democratic governor since Don Siegelman in 1998. In 2020, Tuberville held Jones to about 40% of the vote, which has been the ceiling for Alabama Democrats in recent statewide races.

Retired political science professor Jess Brown said Jones lost in 2020 despite being a well-funded incumbent, and that's a sign that he faces an uphill battle in 2026.

“Based on what I know today, at this juncture of the campaign, I would say that Doug Jones, who’s a very talented and bright man, is politically the walking dead,” Brown said.

Jones acknowledged being the underdog and said his decision to run stemmed in part from a desire for Tuberville not to coast into office unchallenged.

Jones pointed to recent Democratic victories in Georgia, Mississippi and other locations as cause for optimism.

Tuberville, who previously headed up the football program at Auburn University, had “no record except as a football coach” when he first ran, Jones said. And “now there are five years of being a United States senator. There are five years of embarrassing the state.”

Jones continued to question Tuberville’s residency, saying he “doesn’t even live in Alabama, and if he does, then prove me wrong.” Tuberville has a beach house in Walton County, Florida, but has repeatedly said Auburn is his home.

Tuberville's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment but has previously noted that he defeated Jones handily in 2020. Tuberville spent part of Friday with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Huntsville to mark the official relocation of U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama.

Jones' 2017 victory renewed the hopes, at least temporarily, of Democratic voters in the Deep South state. Those gathered to hear him Friday cheered his return to the political stage.

“I’m just glad that there’s somebody sensible getting in the race,” Angela Hornbuckle said. “He proved that he could do it as a senator.”

Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate waits to speak during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., and gubernatorial candidate speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Gubernatorial candidate former Sen. Doug Jones, D-Ala., speaks during an event Friday, Dec. 12, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)