Primarion Unveils "Power On Demand" Multi-Phase Controller
Primarion introduced its PX3664, a digital multi-phase power controller with dynamic phasing for synchronous dc-dc buck converters in computing and communications applications. The controller is said to improve overall system efficiency across the entire operating load range with its autonomous phase dropping/adding capability.
"Today’s power systems are optimized to provide high efficiency at full load, however, most of the time computing, communications and datacom equipment run at very light loads," said Deepak Savadatti, Vice President of Marketing at Primarion. "Power supplies are designed and optimized to deliver high efficiency at full load, which results in very low efficiency at light loads. The PX3664 addresses this important issue by delivering over 90% efficiency across the entire operating range. The controller automatically drops phases as the load decreases to maintain very high efficiency over the entire operating range. Additionally, being a digital controller, it also optimizes loop compensation while operating with a lower number of phases to maintain system stability. With the PX3664 designers can meet the challenge of delivering power on demand and achieving dynamic energy savings without adding to the cost of the overall power solution."
With up to four phases, each capable of up to 2 MHz operation, the PX3664 can be used to build dc-dc converters that provide up to 120A, low ripple, low component count and efficiency across the entire operating range. Interleaved timing of the phases result in a higher ripple frequency, reducing input and output capacitors.
The PX3664’s dynamic phasing capability allows the system to shed one or more phases based on the user defined average current. The autonomous phase feature drops phases when the average current falls below a specified threshold, and adds phases when the average current is above the threshold. The dropping of phases at lighter loads increases the efficiency by several percentage points and significantly reduces the cost of power over the life of the product. The PX3664’s autonomous loop optimization makes it possible to meet the transient and ripple requirements, while operating at the lower phases.
The PX3664 uses two bits via PD1 and PD2 or a I²C-bus serial interface to control and monitor phase dropping. The interface also allows the power supply designer to monitor real time system performance and quickly optimize designs. The PX3664 is supported with an intuitive and user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI takes the designer step-by-step through the process of debugging and modifying the power system design. According to the company, the ease with which the GUI can be used to intelligently manage the design process contributes to reducing the final product’s time to market.
Primarion’s PX3664 is now available for general sampling. The PX3664 is available in a RoHS-compliant, 7mm-x-7mm 48-lead QFN package.
