Multi-phase AI power chipset delivers high efficiency and small size

Designers of high-performance, high-power AI systems can now realise the highest efficiency (to lessen power cost and heat) and smallest total solution size with the MAX16602 AI cores dual-output voltage regulator and the MAX20790 smart power-stage IC from Maxim Integrated Products. Utilising the current ripple cancellation benefit from Maxim Integrated’s patented coupled inductor, this AI multi-phase chipset provides a 1% efficiency improvement when compared to competitive solutions, allowing greater than 95% efficiency at 1.8V output voltage and 200A load conditions. Moreover, this increase in efficiency translates to a 16% decrease in wasted power. It also provides 40% less output capacitance than competitive solutions, decreasing total solution size and capacitor count. The chipset gives a scalable solution for multiple output current demands and is customisable to support multiple form factors. Also, the chipset facilitates AI computing at the edge and cloud computing at the data centre.

Hyperscale datacentre designers wrestle with increasing peak power and associated higher thermal levels as they boost computing power to take on the fast-rising demands of AI applications and deep learning. AI systems implemented with the multi-phase chipsets produce less heat than competitive solutions. Due to the company’s patented coupled inductor technology and monolithic integrated dual-side cooling power stage ICs, power loss decreases due to a 50% lower switching frequency. The monolithic integrated approach nearly excludes the parasitic resistance and inductance between FETs and drivers to deliver what is claimed to be the industry’s highest efficiency.

“The real estate for AI power solutions is becoming limited while the need to provide high power density in a pre-designed small space is more critical. As a result, designers need a scalable solution to customise their design objectives,” said Steven Chen, director of business management for the Cloud and Data Centre Business Unit, Maxim Integrated. “This multi-phase AI power chipset by Maxim Integrated powers AI hardware accelerators such as GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs and xPUs to increase solution efficiency and reduce solution size for different form factors such as PCIe and OAM.”