Power stages suit cloud computing systems

13th March 2015

Micrel, Inc.

Siobhan O'Gorman

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An IntelliMOS power stage family, capable of delivering up to 20A in a compact 4x6mm TQFN package, has been introduced by Micrel. The family is comprised of the MIC4521, a two-phase power stage featuring integrated current and temperature sensing, and the MIC4520, a single-phase power stage. The MIC4521 can be interfaced with a single-phase controller to build a complete high-current and high-performance power converter, while the MIC4520 can operate with a single-phase or multiphase controller.

The devices can be used in a wide variety of POL applications for end markets, including networking, servers, storage, base stations and graphic cards.

By utilising the company’s high performance FETZilla DMOS technology, the power stages achieve an efficiency of more than 90%. Optimised for low gate capacitance, the MIC4521 and MIC4520 enable fast switching performances of up to 1.2MHz for minimal switching losses. The power stages also feature low on-resistance, reducing conduction losses.

The MIC4521 offers higher levels of intelligence and telemetry than traditional DrMOS power stages. The device’s integrated current and temperature sensing enables power system designers to accurately measure and monitor the condition of each power converter to enhance system reliability. To provide system protection against faults, both the MIC4520 and the MIC4521 utilise Micrel's propriety bi-directional fault communication protocol.

The power stages, which operate across an input voltage range of 7-16V, can be configured for continuous or discontinuous conduction operation and support diode emulation mode for improved light load efficiency. The device’s operate across a junction temperature range of -40 to +125°C.

"Board space and heat dissipation constitute major challenges in cloud computing systems, so designers need high efficiency and compact DC/DC solutions. Micrel's IntelliMOS power stage solution meets these challenges and enables designers to reduce their solution size by operating at higher switching frequency while maintaining very high efficiency," commented Brian Hedayati, Vice President, Marketing for High Performance Linear and Power Solutions, Micrel. "Micrel's IntelliMOS solutions provide accurate monitoring and protection when used with Micrel's MIC21000 digital controller. Designers can build a complete POL solution with full monitoring, dynamic scaling of output voltage and fault protection."

The MIC4521 and MIC4520 are available now, priced from $2.34 and $2.57, respectively, and sold in 1,000-piece quantities.