The series offers benchmark power levels while incorporating a number of advanced digital features, including programmable output range, active current swapping, voltage sequencing, voltage tracking, phase synchronization and diffusion, programmed soft start and stop, as well as a range of monitoring capabilities.
The NDM3Z-90 utilizes Intersil's newest digital power controller, the ZL8801. Thanks to the ZL8801's ChargeMode™ Control technology, no compensation is required, allowing the modules to autonomously balance the trade-offs between dynamic performance and system stability on an ongoing basis. With this feature, designers can bypass the traditional practice of built-in margins to account for factors such as component aging, manufacturing variations, and temperature, which inevitably lead to higher component costs and longer design cycles. The NDM3Z's zero-compensation function allows the module to dynamically configure itself for optimal stability in real time as conditions change.
The 90A series offers class-leading efficiency and transient response. Peak efficiency reaches 91.4% at 12Vdc input to 1.0Vdc output, 50% load. Efficiency remains high at 88.7% at full load. To address the increasing sensitivity to transient charging stages in today's ICs, performance has been maximized with the help of the ZL8801's Chargemode™ technology, which allows the module to respond to a transient charging stage in a single switching cycle. At 12Vdc input to 1Vdc output with a 45A charging stage (from 22.5A to 67.5A) and a slew rate of 2A/µs, the peak voltage is a mere 28mV with the required moderate external capacitance.
In addition to superior performance metrics, the module is capable of parallelizing 4 modules by sharing the active output current of up to 360 A.
The NDM3Z-90 is designed to meet the "teraAMP™" standard for high-current digital POL modules recently announced by the industrial power consortium AMP Group (Architects of Modern Power™). The AMP Group™ aims to provide technically advanced and highly efficient multi-source power supplies for distributed power architectures by expanding standardization to encompass electrical specifications and performance, including the monitoring, control, and communication functions made possible by the adoption of digital controllers. This allows the AMP Group to define common configuration files that enable plug-and-play interoperability between the products of its member companies, which currently include CUI, Ericsson Power Modules, and Murata.
The NDM3Z-90 series is available with an input range of 7.5–14 Vdc and a programmable output range of 0.6–1.8 Vdc. All digital functions can be dynamically programmed via PMBus commands or through CUI's simple and user-friendly Novum ACE™ GUI. The 90 A family is available in two compact through-hole configurations: a vertical version measuring 50.80 (depth) x 9.47 (width) x 19.10 (height) mm and a horizontal version measuring 50.8 x 19.1 x 9.7 mm. For greater flexibility during the development process, the modules have a nested footprint to accommodate dual design needs should design requirements change.
“We are very excited to announce the launch of our most powerful digital POL module,” said Mark Adams, Vice President of Advanced Power at CUI. “Power density, transient response, and efficiency are top concerns for our customers as they are tasked with designing today’s cutting-edge integrated circuit power systems. Our mission is to help engineers stay ahead of the curve with our Novum Advanced Power line,” Adams concluded.
Engineering samples are available immediately.
