High efficiency hybrid digital step-down power module reduces design complexity and board space

The Renesas Electronics ISL8280M is a PMBus enabled DC-DC single channel step-down power supply providing the proprietary Renesas R4 technology. The module is available now from RS Components. The module maintains a broad 4.5V to 16.5V input voltage range and a broad 0.5V to 5V output range able to deliver up to 10A of continuous current. The device delivers up to 95% conversion efficiency and is optimised for high power density. Integrated LDOs give module bias voltage providing for single supply operation. The device incorporates an SMBus/PMBus/I2C interface for device configuration, telemetry (VIN, VOUT, IOUT, and temperature), and fault reporting.

The device has four 8-bit configuration pins that give very flexible configuration options (such as frequency, VOUT, and AV gain) with no need for built-in NVM memory. Consequently, the design flow closely resembles traditional analog modules while still providing the design versatility and feature set of a digital SMBus/PMBus/I2C interface. The device provides remote voltage sensing, effectively eliminating any possible difference between remote and local ground, and increases regulation and protection accuracy. A precision enables input coordinates the startup of the device with other voltage rails and is particularly useful for power sequencing.

The module combines all power and most passive components to reduce the external components and reduce design complexity and board space. The device is offered in a low-profile, thermally enhanced, compact 12mm x 11mm x 5.3mm fully encapsulated HDA package.

Typical applications include servers, telecom, storage, and datacom; Industrial/ATE and networking equipment; Graphics cards; and General purpose power for ASIC, FPGA, DSP, and memory.