Analog-controlled power supplies are commonly used in industrial robotics and semiconductor manufacturing equipment operating in the medium power range. However, in recent years, these power supplies have also been required to meet high reliability and precise control requirements, making it difficult to satisfy market demands with purely analog configurations. On the other hand, while fully digitally controlled power supplies allow for precise control and adjustments, their adoption is not widespread in the low- and medium-power range due to high power consumption and the cost of the digital controller. To address this issue, ROHM developed the LogiCoA™ power solution, which leverages the strengths of both analog and digital technologies. High-performance, low-power LogiCoA™ MCUs are used to facilitate the control of a wide variety of power supply topologies.
The LogiCoA™ brand embodies a design philosophy of fusing digital elements to maximize the performance of analog circuitry. ROHM's LogiCoA™ power solution is the industry's first* "analog-to-digital fusion control" power supply, combining a digital control block centered on the LogiCoA™ MCU with analog circuitry comprised of silicon MOSFETs and other power devices.
In a fully digitally controlled power supply, functions managed by digital controllers such as high-speed CPUs or DSPs can be processed by low-bit MCUs, enabling greater functionality than is difficult to achieve with a low-power, low-cost analog-controlled power supply. This solution allows for the correction of performance variations in peripheral components based on the power circuit by storing various settings, such as current and voltage values, in the LogiCoA™ MCU. As a result, design margins do not need to be considered, unlike with analog-controlled power supplies, contributing to smaller power supplies and greater reliability. Furthermore, because operating log data can be recorded in the MCU's non-volatile memory, it is ideal for power supplies in industrial equipment that require logging as a backup in case of malfunction.
The REF66009 evaluation reference design allows users to experience the LogiCoA™ power supply solution in a non-isolated buck converter circuit. Several tools necessary for evaluation are also provided, including circuit diagrams, PCB layouts, parts lists, sample software, and support documents, while actual device evaluation is possible using the optional LogiCoA001-EVK-001 evaluation board.
In the future, ROHM will continue to develop LogiCoA™ MCUs compatible with various power supply topologies, which will contribute to a sustainable society by making the power block (responsible for most of the energy loss in applications) more energy efficient and compact.
brand
embodies a design philosophy of merging digital elements to maximize the performance of analog circuits. By combining the advantages of analog circuitry with those of digital control, it is possible to maximize the potential of circuit topologies, contributing to more efficient energy utilization. Since LogiCoA™ is a design concept applicable not only to power supplies but also to power solutions as a whole, ROHM is considering its application in future products and solutions.
LogiCoA™ is a trademark or registered trademark of ROHM Co., Ltd.
Details of the LogiCoA™ Power Supply Reference Design:
The REF66009 evaluation reference design offered on the ROHM website allows users to verify the functionality of the LogiCoA™ MCU along with the basic operation of the LogiCoA™ power supply solution using a non-isolated 12V buck converter circuit. The sample software available on the reference design page allows users to confirm the sequencing control of execution tasks and the monitoring of various parameters in the actual setup using the LogiCoA001-EVK-001 reference board. For more information about the reference board, please contact a sales representative or visit the contact page on the ROHM website.
Application examples
- Industrial robots
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
- Gaming applications.
Supports mounting on a wide range of general industrial equipment and consumer devices (30W to 1kW).
About the LogiCoA™ MCU
ROHM is developing LogiCoA™ MCUs optimized for integrated analog-to-digital control, such as LogiCoA™ power supply solutions. Their features include an integrated 3-channel analog comparator that can be linked to a timer and a D/A converter that enables digital control of various parameters to support different power supply topologies.
LogiCoA™ MCU Specifications (Provisional)
