Empower Semiconductor, Inc. has introduced its first series of quad-output step-down converters to its family of integrated voltage regulators (IVRs) that combine high current density and efficiency, fast dynamic voltage scaling (DVS) and transient response, and fault protection. The new digitally configurable EP71xx series can deliver complete voltage regulation and protection functionality without the need for external discrete components, while reducing other system components and cost thanks to their high integration, said the company.
IVRs, which are high-performance power management ICs, monolithically integrate the voltage regulator and all the necessary discrete components in a single device. The integration is said to simplify the design and implementation of voltage regulation circuitry, while improving the efficiency by eliminating connection losses and reducing susceptibility to EMI. This translates into a smaller bill of materials, higher reliability, and a reduced PCB footprint, said the company.
The EP71xx series delivers 12 A of continuous current with up to four voltage regulators in a single FcCSP package that measures 5 × 7 mm with a height of 0.7 mm. The IVR family operates from a single 3.3-V input and is comprised of a variety of devices that can provide the 12 A from one to four independent outputs. Output voltages are programmable from 0.5 V to 2.5 V and output voltage set-point accuracy is +/- 1.0%. Built-in fault protection and warning capabilities cover OVLO, UVLO, OVP, OCP, and short circuits.
Other features include a suite of telemetry functionality to report voltage, current, and die-temperature and programmable soft-start and DVS ramp rates via the digital interface. Enhancements to the EP71xx include advanced features such as user-programmable power-up/power-down sequencing, user-configurable logic levels, and programmable GPIOs to enable customized system functionality. All configurations and diagnostics are available through a standard I2C interface.
The devices are said to provide ultra-fast transient response, which supports regulation through a load step, and the programmable ‘ExpressV’ DVS-on-demand is capable of up to 6 mV/ns. “This feature is more than 1000× faster than other competing technologies and enables rapid, lossless, processor state changes that can significantly reduce processor power,” said Empower.
Mukund Krishna, Empower’s senior product marketing manager stated that the addition of the new quad-output devices to the IVR family enables system designers to “reduce PCB power management area and components by ten times or more, drive down system power losses by as much as 50%, and greatly simplify system design.”
Target applications include optical transceivers, active cables, memory modules, storage devices, networking equipment such as GPON and photonic service switches, 5G systems, as well as PoL power for CPUs, GPUs, accelerators, and AI processors. Empower is exhibiting at APEC 2022 in booth #1824.
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