Digital DC/DC power controller’s compensation free control loop reduces design risks and costs
.The ZL8800 is a dual channel/dual phase controller that utilizes a ChargeMode control loop technology to deliver fast transient response without the need for compensation, reducing design time. The device provides best-in-class transient response for digital Point of Loads (POLs), saving on output capacitance and board space, important benefits for the advanced power systems found in the latest generation of base-stations, routers, and similar infrastructure designs.
These complex systems require designers to fully control and monitor every power rail in order to maximize reliability, and typically use monitors and sequencers to provide added functionality around the POL converters. The ZL8800 integrates all of these functions, so a designer can monitor and control every aspect of the power supply through a PMBus interface, without the need for additional parts. Telemetric data is available on the power supply, including temperature, input current, output current, input voltage, output voltage and fault status.
Each ZL8800 output can operate independently or together in a dual phase configuration for high current applications. The device supports a wide range of output voltages (0.54 V to 5.5 V) operating from input voltages from 4.5 V up to 14 V.
“The ZL8800 is Intersil’s fourth generation digital controller. We have a proven track record of innovation in the digital power market, and our latest platform sets a new standard for capability and ease of use,” said Mark Downing, senior vice president of Intersil’s Industrial and Infrastructure Products. “Customers are now demanding the many benefits of digital power, and we’re delivering solutions that lets them realize those benefits simply and easily.”
ZL8800’s compensation free design saves development time while the device’s integrated LDOs enable single supply operation from 12 V. The single wire DDC bus enables sequencing and fault management across multiple Intersil devices. The ZL8800’s non-volatile memory allows users to store all configuration and setup parameters.
"With this new fourth generation device we have changed the loop control and we are using something called Charge Mode Control technology that we have developed," explained Chance Dunlap, Business Unit Manager of Intersil’s Power Management Group. "The concept behind this was that we are trying to push for very fast transient response to minimize the output capacitance but then also using the intelligence available from a digital standpoint we aimed to also create a device that is always stable. So there is no need for compensation," explained Chance Dunlap, Business Unit Manager of Intersil’s Power Management Group. "As regards the transient response we are able to push bandwidth across one quarter of the switching frequency".
To support the launch of the ZL8800 Intersil has also released latest generation of the company’s PowerNavigator graphical user interface which enables designers to use all the capabilities of the ZL8800 digital controller without writing a line of code. Designers can use the GUI’s drag-and-drop utility to set up and control any power supply architecture to simplify their development efforts still further.
The PowerNavigator tool is a free, downloadable GUI that provides the flexibility designers need to quickly set up and control any power supply architecture. Crafting the power architecture in PowerNavigator’s ‘hardware-free’ mode lets users select components prior to hardware development, without design risk. The PowerNavigator GUI provides access to all commands and setup configurations, including the ability to load predefined configurations for common applications.
Once the initial hardware is developed, the GUI can apply the saved settings and monitor all the rails. Any number of rails can be displayed with a selection of telemetric data. Designers make final system adjustments through the GUI with simple and intuitive controls. Sequencing of the rails is managed through a visual drag-and-drop interface.
"With modern electronics systems there is an increasing need for complexity from power management supplies either from different sequencing requirements, timing issues or fold operations. And this has required the advent of different power management devices that give you the flexibility and configurability," explained Chance Dunlap.
"The downside is that some systems require extensive programming and coding experience to be able to set up the commands of functionality. Intersil has solved this challenge through PowerNavigator’s simple visual GUI approach that allows you to set up all the sequencing and command controls without the need for coding at all. With simple ‘Drag and Drop’ graphics we are able to simplify your design and create a single power management environment without a single line of code."
Availability and Pricing
The ZL8800 is available in a 7 x 7 44-pin QFN package with prices starting at $4.90 each, in 1,000-piece units. There are also two evaluation kits available, the ZL8800-2CH-DEMO1Z 2-output demo board, and the ZL8800-2PH-DEMO1Z, a 60A 2-phase demo board. Both are available for $150.00 each.
More information about the ZL8800 dual channel/dual phase controller at
www.intersil.com/products/ZL8800
More information about the Power Navigator software at
www.intersil.com/en/products/power-management/zilker-labs-digital-power/powernavigator.html
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