Core regulators enable flexible laptop power

Intersil has released the ISL6260B multiphase core regulator and ISL6262 two-phase, integrated-driver core regulator.

Intersil has released the ISL6260B multiphase core regulator and ISL6262 two-phase, integrated-driver core regulator.

The ISL6260B is a multiphase regulator that uses external drivers and can to be programmed for one, two or three phases.

When combined with Intersil's ISL6208 gate driver, the ISL6260B forms the basis for a portable power supply system to power Intel's latest CPU family for the notebook market, enabling phase-dropping at intermediate load levels.

Phase-dropping allows the device to be configured to alternative phases (two-phase to one-phase, or three-phase to two-phase).

The dynamic phase add-drop feature together with diode emulation mode at light load on the ISL6260B and ISL6262 maximise the efficiency over a wide load range to improve battery life.

The modulator at the heart of this power system is created using Intersil's patented R3 (Robust Ripple Regulator) technology.

Compared with traditional multiphase buck regulators, Intersil's R3-based convertors have faster transient response due to the R3 modulator commanding variable switching frequency during load transients.

"Intersil's ISL6260B and ISL6262 offer customers a new level of flexibility for their high-current CPU core power needs", said Majid Kafi, Director of Intersil's Notebook Power Group.

"These devices offer flexibility in the types of CPUs installed and number of phases that can be implemented to deliver the core power to meet CPU requirements".

"The ISL6260B and ISL6262 create a complete power controller solution with both internal and external drivers, providing core power covering the entire spectrum of next-generation Intel CPUs post Centrino".

Faster transient response, improved efficiency Intersil's ISL6260B multiphase core regulator and ISL6262 two-phase integrated driver core regulator provide 0.5% system accuracy over the entire temperature range, which allows wider tolerance of inductors for platforms using DC resistance current sensing.

To boost battery life, the phase-dropping capability of these devices meets Intel's power status indicator requirement.

They also support a deeper sleep function and maximise the efficiency by automatically enabling diode emulation and frequency stretching.

At heavy load operation in the active mode, the regulators command continuous conduction mode operation.

When the CPU enters deeper sleep mode, the ISL6260B and ISL6262 enable diode emulation to maximise efficiency during the light load.

Both devices provide excellent efficiency during full and light loads.

The small package size of the ISL6260B and ISL6262 allows designers to place the devices close to the CPU on the board, simplifying PCB (printed circuit board) layout and increasing board reliability.

The devices use two interleaved channels to double the output voltage ripple frequency and reduce output voltage ripple amplitude with fewer components, providing the customer with cost and space savings in their power management designs.

The ISL6260B is available now in a 40-lead QFN standard or lead-free package and the ISL6262 is available now in a 48-lead QFN package.

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