Simple analogue PWM control for DC/DC converters

An analogue control loop, which is programmable in the integrated 8-bit PIC MCU core’s firmware, enables quick power-conversion circuit development. The integrated supervisory MCU allows the controllers to create programmable power supplies. The MCP19118 and MCP19119 are suitable for power-conversion applications including battery-charging, USB power delivery, LED-driving, PoL and automotive power supplies.

The integrated MCU core can also monitor other parts of the application to sequence start-up operations, intelligently manage faults, perform housekeeping functions, adjust power outputs in response to load requirements and monitor or deliver signals to the user or system.

Offering a very compact circuit solution, the MCP19118 and MCP19119 integrate linear regulators, PWM generators, ADCs, MOSFET drivers, analogue error amplifiers and control-loop compensation. The DEPA devices enable high conversion efficiency and excellent transient response for reduced system power losses, smaller heatsinks and longer battery life in portable applications. The controllers can also use customised SMBus or PMBus compatible commands to provide data over the I²C interface.

By issuing write commands to the registers in the device, important system settings including switching frequency and current limits can be adjusted on-the-fly. This allows one design to be reused for additional applications with firmware updates changing the configuration. This minimises design, production and inventory requirements across multiple platforms.

Supplied in 4x4mm, 24-pin QFN and 5x5 mm, 28-pin QFN packages, respectively, the MCP19118 and MCP19119 DEPA controllers are available now for sampling and in production quantities. Microchip also offers development tools for the MCP19118/9 DEPA controllers, including the MPLAB X IDE and the MPLAB XC8 Compiler.