POL Converters Shrug Off 300-A/µs Load Changes

A series of 15-A point-of-load (POL) dc-dc converters developed by Artesyn accommodates 300-A/µs step load changes. Measurements on the 1.2-V output TyphoonT SMT15F module demonstrate less than 43-mV sag in output voltage in the face of 5-A change in load current applied at a 100-A/µs rate. The modules can do it, says Artesyn, without the need for huge bulk storage capacitors or decoupling capacitors on the system board.

Negligible sensitivity to big load changes, efficiency (typically 88% for the 1.8-V model), and the elimination of external caps comes from a design that incorporates wide-bandwidth error amplifiers, load-response prediction circuits, low-L filters, and ultra-low-Z output capacitors. Also, a 1-MHz switching frequency makes the synchronous buck regulator itself efficient.

The converters feature remote sense and remote on/off facilities. They also have no minimum load requirement. And, they're protected against overtemperature and short circuits, with automatic recovery.

The four standard-footprint open-frame modules in the SMT15F series feature nominal outputs of 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, and 1.8 V. These devices operate on inputs from 10.8 to 13.2 V. Unit pricing starts at $19.93 in quantities of 1000. They're sampling now.