Encapsulated 50A Digital Power Module Can Keep Its Cool

A fully encapsulated digital DC/DC PMBus power module that has a heat dissipation design which means power components sit directly on a copper lead frame allowing maximum power usage while maintaining a junction temperature of below 125ºC, had been developed by Intersil.

Claimed as an industry first by Intersil

Claimed as an industry first by the company, the ISL8272M is a complete step-down power supply that delivers up to 50A of output current from industry-standard 12V or 5V input power rails.

The modules are capable of providing point-of-load (PoL) conversions for advanced FPGAs, ASICs, processors and memory in space-constrained and power-dense telecom and datacom applications. In addition, the device is also suitable for applications in instrumentation and industrial and medical equipment.

Interestingly, four of the modules can be combined to support up to 200A rails. This is important given the complexity and performance of the latest FPGAs and processors that are employed in wired, wireless and cloud computing systems because those components are constantly driving up the number of voltage rails required. Here’s an example. Some optical transmission systems have as many as 60 power supplies located on a single board. This design complexity calls for higher system intelligence and advanced digital power management, including telemetry and system monitoring, to ensure 99.999% uptime.

This uptime performance is critical given today’s commercial reliance on Internet-driven business operations. There are serious economic consequences when a telecom system or a router fails, and it is imperative for both customers and retailers that online transactions are not lost during transmission.

The ISL8272 M’s digital control technology provides precise sequencing and system monitoring through the PMBus interface. The module’s ChargeMode control architecture enables a compensation-free design that keeps the device stable regardless of output capacitor changes due to temperature, variation or ageing. The ISL8272 M’s ChargeMode control loop also provides a single clock cycle fast transient response to output current load steps common in FPGAs and DSPs processing power bursts.

Engineers can use Intersil’s PowerNavigator graphical user interface (GUI) to maximise design-time efficiencies, which the company says simplifies system power conversion and configuration. Of real value to engineers is the fact that the GUI software makes it easy to change the features and functions of a digital power supply design without writing any code.

The 50A ISL8272M uses Intersil’s fourth-generation digital controller family and expands on the existing 25A ISL8270M and 33A ISL8271M digital power modules. This provides customers with a straightforward migration to higher current power rails.

Key features of the modules include:

• A PMBus-enabled solution for full system configuration
• Telemetry and monitoring of all conversions and operating parameters
• Up to 96% conversion efficiency with 1% output voltage accuracy
• A single clock cycle transient response
• Independently programmable soft-start, soft-stop, sequencing and margining
• The modules are compatible with all industry pick and place equipment