Seven-phase configurable PWM controller implements patented synthetic current control. Image Credit: Intersil According to Intersil, the ISL681xx and ISL691xx controllers integrate a high-performance digital engine featuring a patented synthetic current control architecture that tracks each phase current with zero latency. As a result, the controllers can respond to any load transient with precise current and voltage positioning, and 30% less capacitance as compared to competing controllers in the market. Additionally the supplier said that the synthetic current control also makes it possible to develop high-reliability systems using all ceramic capacitors.
The companion smart power stage ISL99227 operates over an input voltage range of 4.5 V to 18 V with 60 A current capability and 25 V-rated synchronous FETs. It offers high accuracy current sensing with 3% accuracy across line, load and temperature. Other features include differential current reporting at 5 mV/A to eliminate DCR error and noise, 3.3 V compatible tri-state PWM input, integrated temperature sensing with fault monitoring, and high-side FET overcurrent protection. It is offered in a 32-lead QFN package.
The digital multiphase controllers ISL681xx and ISL691xx provide up to seven phases that are assignable across two outputs. For example, ISL68137 can be configured for 6+1, 5+2, 4+3 or 7+0 for single-output operation. However less than seven phases between two outputs is also supported. Similarly ISL68134 is a digital dual-output, four-phase, configurable PWM controller with AVSBus. Either output can be configured to support any desired phase assignments up to a maximum of four phases across the two outputs.
Device configuration and telemetry monitoring is accomplished using the company’s intuitive PowerNavigator GUI software tool. The controllers support on-chip nonvolatile memory to store various configuration settings that are user selectable via pin-strap, giving system designers increased power density to configure and deploy multiple configurations. The device supports an automatic phase add/drop feature to allow maximum efficiency across all load ranges. Thresholds for automatic phase add/drop are user programmable using the powerful PowerNavigator GUI tool.
The new digital multiphase controllers and the smart power stage, as well as development boards, are available now, according to the manufacturer.
