Qorvo’s 25 Amp, 13-Rail Multi-Time Programmable PMIC Enables Multiple Configurations

Qorvo’s ACT88760 PMIC works with input voltages from 2.6 to 5.8 volts and provides outputs ranging from 0.5 to 3.8 volts. The highly integrated device includes 7 buck controllers and 6 low dropout (LDO) regulators.

 

The ACT88760 PMIC. Image courtesy of Datasheet

 

The tiny (3.8 by 3.8 mm) device includes 10 general purpose IOs (GPIO) and is configurable via a 1 MHz I2C interface, enabling engineers to debug their designs and, later to change settings in real-time – all without changing any external components.

As per David Briggs, senior director of Qorvo's Programmable Power Management business, "Qorvo continues to advance the level of flexibility available to designers. The ACT88760 PMIC delivers the greatest degree of programmability, power efficiency and capability in a simple, compact design. This empowers our customers to innovate enterprise and consumer electronics with greater functionality and extended battery life."

 

What is a Constant-On-Time PMIC?

A constant-on-time (COT) PMIC uses a variation of hysteric control, where the PWM on-time is terminated when voltage passes above the reference, and is turned back on when voltage falls below the reference. 

With COT, the difference is that the PWM is terminated by a timer that is proportional to input voltage. This method, as described by Texas Instruments, is most advantageous: a fast transient response is needed and, at the same time, a predictable or fixed switching frequency is necessary.

 

Output Capabilities

Buck converters 1 and 2 can each output 4 amps. They can operate in a dual phase mode for an 8 amp output. Similarly, bucks 3 and 4 offer 3 amps each, and they, too can operate in dual phase with a 6 amp total output. Bucks 5 and 6 offer 2 amps each.

LDOs 3 and 4 can each supply 0.4 amps each while LDOs 1 and 2 can supply 0.8 amps each and feature a power supply rejection ratio of greater than 70dB. LDOs 5 and 6 also offer 0.4 amp outputs, but can also be employed as 1.5 amp load switches with 25mΩ RDS(ON)s

Each of the 7 buck and 6 LDO13 outputs can be sequenced via:

• Turn-ON delay
• Turn-OFF delay
• Input trigger
• Softstart time
• Output voltage

 

Other Considerations

The switching frequency is factory set for either 1.125, 1.5 or 2.25 MHz, and the device is optimized for an external 0.47 µH inductor

All of the PMIC’s buck converters and LDO’s output voltages can be changed on-the-fly via their I2C registers. However, if a large voltage change is needed, it is best to change the output in small steps to avoid triggering the built-in over-voltage or under-voltage protections. The ACT88760 also features protections against over-current and over-temperature.

 

Applications

The ACT88760 is aimed at mid power applications including:

• Enterprise SSDs
• Video cameras
• Alternate reality and virtual reality devices
• LPDDR5 memory applications
• Field programmable gate delays (FPGA)
• Connected home devices

 

Physical Considerations

• The ACT88760 is available in a 3.85mm x 3.85mm 81 ball WLCSP package.
• Operating junction temperature range is from -40 to 150℃

 

Environmental

• RoHS compliant