IBM endorses PowerPC power solution

The Endura ISL6563 two-phase PWM controller with integrated MOSFET drivers has been validated as "Ready for IBM Technology" and suitable for powering IBM's new PowerPC 970FX processor.

The Endura ISL6563 two-phase PWM controller with integrated mosfet drivers has been validated as "Ready for IBM Technology" and suitable for powering IBM's new PowerPC 970FX processor.

During product development, Intersil engineers worked with IBM to understand PowerPC 970FX power requirements.

This resulted in the validation of Intersil's Endura ISL6563 two-phase PWM controller solution under IBM's Ready for IBM Technology programme.

The ISL6563 PWM controller with integrated mosfet drivers is used to supply core power and the designer can choose between the ISL6520 or EL7564 to power the processor's input/output (I/O).

"The new PowerPC 970FX offers a new level of superior performance for high-end PCs, servers and embedded systems", said Rick Furtney, Vice President and General Manager of Intersil's High Performance Analogue Product Group.

"This processor demands very robust and precise power control, requirements for which Intersil is known throughout the PC industry.

Our close working relationship with IBM was critical for defining high performance power solutions for this latest generation of PowerPC microprocessors".

Intersil's power solutions for PowerPC platforms are designed to provide precise and reliable performance while offering very high levels of integration that reduce parts count, lower materials and manufacturing costs and deliver the industry's highest performance-to-price value.

"We are pleased to have validated Intersil's power solutions for the new generation of PowerPC 970FX microprocessors", said Ray Bryant, Director of PowerPC Products, IBM Systems and Technology Group.

"Intersil's core and I/O power control can benefit our customers by providing effective power solutions.

IBM's Ready for IBM Technology programme can help reduce customers' time to market by providing solutions that have already been verified".

Intersil's core voltage power solution for the PowerPC 970FX is based on the new Endura ISL6563 two-phase synchronous-buck pulsewidth modulation (PWM) power controller IC that has integrated mosfet drivers.

This specific solution is designed to supply up to 80A of peak current and has been tested and validated to provide less than the +/-50mV variation specification for the 1.2V core voltage over a 0 to 40W load.

Actual tests have shown that this solution typically delivers a significantly better variance (+/-27mV), well below specification limits.

Intersil offers a wide range of solutions for all families of PowerPC microprocessors, including those requiring as little as 0.5A.

"The ISL6563 provides a compact and low-cost power design that exceeds IBM requirements for powering the new PowerPC 970FX processor", said Cindy Drapcho, Vice President of Intersil's Power Management Products.

"With both controller and mosfet drivers integrated together in a near-chip-scale 4 x 4mm package along with protection and other features, we have secured significant cost and space savings for PowerPC platform designers".

The I/O power supply is implemented using either Intersil's ISL6520, which uses external mosfets, or the EL7564, which has integrated mosfets.

The ISL6520 solution allows for more design flexibility and lower cost, while the EL7564 offers small size and ease of use.

Complete evaluation boards, reference designs, bill-of-materials and product documentation for the ISL6563, ISL6520 and EL7564 are available to reduce implementation costs and time to market.

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