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FROM EDN EUROPE: Shrink multiphase converters with MOSFET MCMs
-- EDN, 3/1/2001
Pursuing its programme of producing more integrated power components for power-switching applications, International Rectifier has introduced the iPowir device, a building block targeting high-current, multiphase dc/dc-converter designs. The iP2001 is a small multichip module measuring 11´11´3 mm, with a 12´12-ball, 0.8-mm-pitch BGA termination. The package integrates a MOSFET driver with dead-time control, two power-drive MOSFETs, an output capacitor, and a Schottky rectifier. To build a multiphase converter, you need to add a suitable PWM-control IC and input and output passives. Each iP2001 is rated at as much as 15A at a 1-MHz switching frequency, and you can concatenate phases to provide total output currents in excess of 100A. By using the preassembled iPowir modules, all of the layout-critical parts of the design are already taken care of, simplifying board layout and reducing design debugging time. You can also improve dc/dc-conversion efficiency by as much as 6%, reduce power losses by 25%, and cut board area by around half over discrete options. Cost will be $14.11 (1000) when IR samples the modules in mid-2001.
—by Graham Prophet
This article ran on page 20 of the March 1, 2001 issue of EDN.
