Frugal MOSFET drivers go high and low

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Dec 3, 2002

The Endura ISL6206 and ISL6207 are designed to drive both upper and lower MOSFETs in a synchronous-buck DC/DC convertor operating from the high voltages found in notebook systems.

The Endura ISL6206 and ISL6207 are designed to drive both upper and lower mosfets in a synchronous-buck DC/DC convertor operating from the high voltages found in notebook systems.

Notebook PC systems operate from battery and battery charger voltages that typically range up to 20V in normal operation.

The CPU core voltage is usually derived directly from these relatively high-voltage sources in order to maximise the power efficiency of the total system.

Both drivers interface directly with all the multiphase PWM controllers in Intersil's Endura line, including both the ISL6223 (optimised for AMD mobile CPUs), and the ISL6215 (optimised for Intel mobile CPUs).

The Endura power management solution includes two to three ISL6206 or ISL6207 mosfet drivers controlled by one of several portable-optimised ISL6200-series multiphase PWM ICs such as the ISL6223 or ISL6215.

The choice of controller and number of drivers depends on the power requirements of the CPU being used in the platform.

The Intersil controller-with-drivers solution offers lower parts count and lower overall cost than competing solutions.