Core controllers improve transient response and accuracy

The controllers report the CPU power consumption through a highly accurate continuous analogue output signal. Compared with conventional controllers, Intersil’s R3 controllers stabilize current flow and allow less time between wave peaks in a regulator circuit.

“The ability to report power dissipation to the CPU is an important step towards optimizing the operation of the CPU and enhancing overall efficiency and battery usage, as well as overall system thermal performance, “ said Majid Kafi, director of Intersil’s Notebook Power products group. “Intersil’s new family of controllers also offers flexible solutions for customers who are transitioning from Intel Napa platforms to the Santa Rosa platform. They can use their similar layout and still have the improved performance that our new controllers offer.”

“Improved efficiency and faster transient response,” Kafi explained, “will result from being able to use higher tolerance inductors in DC resistance measurement settings and reduce the total cost.”

To boost battery life, the ISL6260C, ISL6261A and ISL6262A support DPRSLRVR (deeper sleep) functions and maximize efficiency by automatically changing operation modes. At heavy loads in the active mode, these controllers command the continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation. When the CPU enters a deeper sleep mode, the controllers enable diode emulation to maximize the efficiency at light loads.

The ISL6260C, ISL6261A and ISL6262A are part of Intersil’s growing profile of Santa Rosa-compatible parts for Intel reference designs. These core controllers feature Intersil’s R3 Technology to enable faster transient response.

The ISL6260C multiphase controller – together with ISL6208 external gate driver – provides a complete solution to power Intel's mobile microprocessors. It offers an up to three-phase solution for CPU core power. The ISL6262A has two integrated drivers and powers CPUs of up to 44A. The ISL6261A offers single-phase operation with an internal driver for LV/ULV applications up to 25A of CPU current. The ISL6260C and ISL6262A are also able to add and drop phases for improved efficiency and flexibility.
This family of devices features power management innovations from the Notebook Power group. These parts are designed to meet the exacting specifications of laptop and mobile device manufacturers.