Voltage regulator has power for graphics

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Mar 8, 2006

A single-phase buck voltage regulator powers next-generation graphics processing units or graphics cores used on Intel Santa Rosa platforms.

Intersil has introduced a single-phase buck voltage regulator that powers next-generation graphics processing units (GPUs) or graphics cores used on Intel Santa Rosa platforms.

The device reduces power consumption and enhances the performance of the GPU by dynamically changing output voltage and operation modes corresponding to the advanced GPU control protocol.

The ISL6263's 5bit VID (voltage identification) regulator provides 0.5% system accuracy across the entire temperature range, the highest accuracy in the industry.

The device allows users to pick relaxed tolerance inductors when they are using DCR (DC resistance) sensing.

The transition to DCM (discontinuous conduction mode) enables the part to have higher efficiency at light load, and faster transient response is enabled due to Intersil's patented R3 (robust ripple regulator) technology.

Compared with traditional single-phase buck regulators, Intersil's R3-based convertor provides better transient response and efficiency and is capable of changing the voltage output when the GPU is in suspend or sleep mode.

To boost battery life, the controller has the flexibility to go to lower switching frequency at DCM either through internal automatic inductor current sensing or programmed by VID.

Key features of the ISL6263 include enhanced loadline accuracy, internal gate driver with 2A driving capability, microprocessor voltage identification input, selection of audio switching frequency operation disable/enable for higher light load efficiency, differential remote voltage sensing, together with overvoltage, undervoltage and overcurrent protection.

Target applications are notebook computers systems, LCD PC systems, SAN (storage-area network) or NAS (network-attached storage) systems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and blade servers.

The ISL6263 is available now in a 32-lead thin QFN package.