Dual-edge PWM controller promises speedy response

ON Semiconductor has successfully produced working silicon for its new dual-edge pulsewidth modulation controller and has begun engineering samples to leading VR11 power supply licensees.

ON Semiconductor has successfully produced working silicon for its new dual-edge pulsewidth modulation (PWM) controller and has begun engineering samples to leading VR11 power supply licensees.

"Customer feedback has been positive", said Bill Schromm, Vice President of ON Semiconductor's High Performance Analog Products Group.

"What we are hearing is that our new dual-edge PWM solution provides leadership cost versus performance tradeoff points".

The computing and digital consumer electronics markets continue to be driven by demand for expanded features, higher performance and increased wireless connectivity.

ON Semiconductor's new DC/DC switching controller specifically addresses "active power" applications with highly regulated, low-voltage power supplies that require high conversion efficiency to meet stringent VR11 specifications.

"ON Semiconductor's successful development of this DC/DC controller is expected to enable significant enhancements to the power subsystem for high-performance CPU motherboards", said Larry Sims, Senior Vice President and General Manager of ON Semiconductor's Analog Products Group.

"This product is scheduled to be released to market by the end of the year and will augment the company's existing portfolio of DDR controllers, general purpose controllers, MOSFETs and discrete products for computing applications".

ON Semiconductor's dual-edge PWM technology is the first in the industry for computing CPU power.

Delivering significantly faster response to load transients than existing industry solutions, the company's dual-edge PWM technique will enable the power management subsystem to respond to users' activation of high-performance computing functions.

Existing single-edge industry solutions require operation at higher-than-optimal frequencies, or use of substantial capacitive hold-up circuits.

These options require a more complicated, and physically larger, power management subsystem than ON Semiconductor's new dual-edge PWM technique.

By enabling simultaneous switching of all phases in a multiphase power waveform, ON Semiconductor's new solution provides faster response compared to the industry's standard single-edge control.

This improved response enables the power management subsystem to operate at a lower frequency and with fewer hold-up capacitors, versus existing leading-edge or trailing-edge approaches.

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