Intersil Delivers First Encapsulated 80A Digital Power Module

Intersil's ISL8273M

ISL8273M provides highest power density POL solution for advanced FPGAs, processors and memory

Intersil Corporation, a leading provider of innovative power management and precision analog solutions announced the industry's first 80A fully encapsulated digital DC/DC PMBus power module that provides point-of-load (POL) conversions for advanced FPGAs, DSPs, ASICs, processors and memory. The ISL8273M is a complete step-down regulated power supply that delivers up to 80A output current and operates from industry standard 5V or 12V input power rails. Multi-phase current sharing of up to four ISL8273M power modules enables power supply designers to create a 320A solution with output voltages as low as 0.6V. Housed in a compact 18mm x 23mm module, the ISL8273M delivers the industry's highest power density and performance for increasingly space-constrained data center equipment and wireless communications infrastructure systems.

The ISL8273M digital power module leverages a patented ChargeMode™ control architecture that delivers best-in-class efficiencies, with up to 94% peak efficiency and better than 90% efficiency on most conversions. It also provides a single clock cycle fast transient response to output current load steps common in FPGAs and DSPs processing power bursts. The ISL8273M's compensation-free design keeps the device stable regardless of output capacitor changes due to temperature, variation or aging while eliminating the need for an external discrete compensation network.

The 80A ISL8273M further distances itself from competitive digital power modules by delivering 2x higher output current. Its proprietary High Density Array (HDA) package offers unmatched electrical and thermal performance through a single-layer conductive package substrate that reduces lead inductance and dissipates heat primarily through the system board. The ISL8273M is built on Intersil's proven, fourth generation digital controller technology and is pin-for-pin compatible with the 50A ISL8272M. It expands Intersil's existing 6A - 50A digital power module family, giving customers an easy migration path to higher current rails. These fully encapsulated power modules are compatible with all industry pick and place equipment for full manufacturing automation.

"With advanced FPGAs and processors occupying more of the PCB real estate and requiring higher input current levels at lower input voltages, the demands on POL power converters are being pushed to the limit," said Mark Downing, senior vice president of Infrastructure and Industrial Power Products at Intersil. "The 80A ISL8273M gives our customers the power density they need, along with excellent thermal and electrical performance, on-the-fly power supply optimization, and real-time system monitoring and control."

Through a PMBus-compliant interface, the ISL8273M module's digital control technology provides precise sequencing, full telemetry and system monitoring. The ISL8273M can also start up and operate in pin-strap mode using six external resistors for setting default configurations such as Vout, soft-start, under-voltage, switching frequency and current sharing. This allows designers to power up the modules during the development phase without using PMBus or requiring any programming.

Key Features and Specifications

• 80A digital switch mode power supply with current sharing, multi-phase and multi-modules support for up to 320A power rails
• Wide input voltage range from 4.5V to 14V and programmable Vout from 0.6V to 2.5V
• PMBus-enabled solution for full system configuration, telemetry and monitoring of all conversions and operating parameters
• Up to 94% peak conversion efficiency with 1% output voltage accuracy
• Single clock cycle transient response
• Programmable Vout, soft-start, soft-stop, sequencing, margining and under-voltage, over-voltage, under-current, over-current, under temperature and over-temperature
• Monitors Vin, Vout, Iout, temperature, duty cycle, switching frequency, power good and faults
• Internal nonvolatile memory saves module configuration parameters and fault logging
• Compact, thermally-enhanced high density array (HDA) package simplifies thermal management, solution positioning and PCB routing

PowerNavigator GUI Simplifies Digital Power Designs
Intersil's PowerNavigator GUI software simplifies the ISL8273M's configuration, validation and monitoring of all device parameters and telemetry. The tool makes it easy to change features and functions of a digital power supply design without writing a single line of code. To download the PowerNavigator GUI and watch a tutorial video, please visit: www.intersil.com/powernavigator.

Pricing and Availability
The ISL8273M is available now in a thermally enhanced 18mm x 23mm x 7.5mm HDA package, and priced at $69 USD in 1k quantities. The ISL8273MEVAL1Z 80A digital module evaluation board is available to speed time-to-market and priced at $89 USD.

For more information on the ISL8273M DC/DC digital PMBus power module and evaluation board, please visit: www.intersil.com/products/isl8273m.

About Intersil
Intersil Corporation is a leading provider of innovative power management and precision analog solutions. The company's products form the building blocks of increasingly intelligent, mobile and power hungry electronics, enabling advances in power management to improve efficiency and extend battery life. With a deep portfolio of intellectual property and a rich history of design and process innovation, Intersil is the trusted partner to leading companies in some of the world's largest markets, including industrial and infrastructure, mobile computing, automotive and aerospace. For more information about Intersil, visit our website at www.intersil.com.

SOURCE Intersil Corporation