C&D VRMs Meet AMD K8 Power Needs

C&D Technologies has launched a new series of voltage regulator modules (VRMs) that have high efficiency, high current density and fast transient load response meeting the AMD64™ 64-bit Opteron™ and Athlon™ processor power specifications. The 80A VRK81B080CS and VRK81B080CU are 2U and 1U high units respectively. A third regulator module, the 100A VRK81B100TH, is horizontally mounted and measures 0.415" high to enable extremely low profile implementation.

These three options provide designers with a high degree of flexibility to match diverse system requirements from workstation to server-room applications. All three modules achieve greater than 85% efficiency, which eases system design by allowing lower component temperatures and simplifies system thermal management by reducing power dissipation.

VRMs for use with Opteron processors must satisfy load transients demanding up to 100A/µs, and must provide a variety of integrated monitoring and protection features such as power good indicator, overcurrent latch-off, short circuit protector, differential remote sense and tri-state output when disabled. The VRK81B080CS and VRK81B080CU also offer support for an I²C temperature monitor, allowing applications that use the System Monitoring Bus to add further load-related controls such as variable fan speed.

Input and output ratings for the VRK81B080CS, VRK81B080CU and VRK81B100TH are 0.8V-1.55V-output voltage, and 12V nominal input voltage. The output voltage is VID programmable allowing the processor to command the exact voltage required.

"Developing VRMs already proven to meet popular processor power specifications helps simplify the task of designing for engineers," said Rob Hill, Vice President of Global Product Development C&D Technologies. "The high efficiency levels and small form factor of the VRK81B080CS, VRK81B080CU and VRK81B100TH also brings other important benefits to customer's product designs."

The new modules are all fully RoHS compliant. Pricing in OEM quantities is $28.80 per unit for the VRK81B080CS and VRK81B080CU, and $36.30 per unit for the VRK81B100TH.