Integrated power analogue controller performs power conversion, measurement and management

Microchip has a new Digitally-Enhanced Power Analogue (DEPA) buck controller for DC-DC power conversion which is claimed to offer more flexibility than any other analogue control architecture on the market today. The single-chip MCP19122/3 solution controls DC-DC converters and is capable of accepting a high-voltage input up to 42V while simultaneously regulating a wide output voltage range of 0.3V to 16V without any external components or drivers. The internal PIC microcontroller in the device can dynamically adjust the operating frequency, over- and under-voltage lockout thresholds, current limits, soft-start, voltage or current output setpoints and maximum duty cycle. This level of configurability offers many application benefits. For example, it can dynamically adjust the voltage output to meet USB Power Delivery requirements, while also adjusting the output over-voltage lockout to maintain tight protection limits corresponding to each output voltage level. The buck controller offers many unique capabilities, including a programmable differential input amplifier used to optimise performance and minimise system voltage error. This configurability allows for a wide output voltage range commonly seen in USB power and battery-charger applications. Improving integration in larger systems, the device can synchronise to an external clock and voltage reference, or provide the internal system clock and reference to other devices for synchronisation. In server or communications equipment, this allows for seamless power-up and accurate tracking of power consumption throughout the board. The devices are supported by the company’s suite of programming and development tools including MPLAB X Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and the MPLAB XC8 complier.