News & Events
Intersil Introduces Two- and Three-Phase PWM Controllers with High-Current, Integrated MOSFET Drivers for Precision Voltage Regulation

-- High-Accuracy Controllers are First in Product Family to Address Non-Core DC/DC Applications

MILPITAS, CA, August 15, 2005 – Intersil Corporation (NASDAQ: ISIL), a world leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance analog solutions, today announced the two-phase ISL6310 and three-phase ISL6308 PWM (pulse width modulation) controllers with high-current, integrated MOSFET (metal oxide silicon field effect transistor) drivers and industry-leading system accuracy.

Intersil’s ISL6310 and ISL6308 are optimized for server and embedded system peripheral voltage regulation due to their integrated MOSFET drivers, pre-biased load start-up, current sink/source capability, small QFN (quad flat no leads) package and differential voltage sensing. These devices offer a completely programmable voltage droop pin for applications such as DDR (double data rate) memory and chipset cores that don’t require the power converter voltage droop or pre-positioning often found in CPUs. Designers have the option of adjusting the droop function in order to maintain output voltage regulation through severe transient loads, with fewer output capacitors. Other applications include high-current, low-voltage point-of-load converters and other general-purpose applications.

“By integrating the MOSFET driver with the PWM controller, Intersil reduces the number of external parts, providing the customer with cost and space savings in their power management designs,” said Steve Rivet, Director of Intersil's Desktop/Server Power Management Products Group. “These devices also feature differential remote voltage sensing for high system accuracy, and a 2-bit DAC (digital-to-analog converter) that allows the designer to program the output voltage without the use of external resistors.”

Accuracy, Flexibility and Protection
The output voltage of the ISL6310 and ISL6308 can be programmed using an on-chip DAC or an external precision reference, such as the ISL60002 series. A two-bit code programs the DAC reference to one of four possible values (0.6V, 0.9V, 1.2V or 1.5V). A unity-gain, differential amplifier is provided for remote voltage sensing, compensating for any potential difference between remote and local grounds. The output voltage can also be offset through the use of a single external resistor.

The integrated MOSFET gate driver bias voltage of the ISL6310 and ISL6308 is programmable from 5V-12V, allowing the designer to achieve the optimum trade-off between the switching and conduction losses associated with the upper and lower MOSFETs. These devices also have the ability to power a pre-charged output without causing any output voltage disturbances, and can source and sink load current.

Intersil’s ISL6310 and ISL6308 feature an optional droop function that can be disabled for applications that have less stringent output voltage variation requirements or experience less severe step loads. A unique feature of these devices is the combined use of both DC resistance (DCR) and on-resistance (rDS(on)) current sensing. Using both methods of current sampling utilizes the best advantages of each technique.

Protection features of the ISL6310 and ISL6308 include over-voltage (OV) and over-current (OC) protection. Both parts have a pre-POR (power-on reset) OVP (over-voltage protection) feature. Prior to the PVCC (power voltage pin for integrated drivers) and the VCC (voltage power pin for IC bias) exceeding their POR levels, the ISL6310 and ISL6308 are designed to protect the load from any over-voltage events that may occur. Whether the DC/DC converter has just turned on or is in normal operation, the lower MOSFET always turns on to stop the rising output voltage and protect the load until the OV event ceases or the input power supply cuts off. An OVP output is also provided to drive an optional crowbar device. The OC protection level is set through a single external resistor. Other protection features include protection against an open circuit on the remote sensing inputs. Combined, these features provide advanced protection for the output load.

Key Features

• 1-, 2-, or 3-phase operation
• 5V to 12V programmable FET gate drive voltage
• 0.5%/0.8% system accuracy over temperature
• Adjustable reference voltage offset
• Channel-to-channel current sharing through lower FET rDS(on)
• Over-current and over-voltage protection
• Adjustable switching frequency of up to 1.5MHz/phase

Target Applications

• Computer motherboards
• Workstation, server, industrial PC/single board
• High-current DDR/chipset power
• NAS (network-attached storage)/SAN (storage-area network) systems
• Datacommunications/telecommunications systems
• Routers and switches
• High-current FPGA (field programmable gate array) power supplies
• High-current, low-voltage POL (point-of-load) modules

About Intersil’s Power Management Portfolio
Intersil is a recognized global leader in power management solutions, offering a broad portfolio of products that simplify a variety of power designs. Intersil’s family of power management ICs ranges from building blocks such as charge pumps, to highly-integrated, multiple-output and multi-phase PWMs, to quad-voltage hot-swap controllers. As a leading supplier of PWM controller ICs with over 1 billion units shipped, Intersil addresses a broad range of power management needs for applications that include computing, communications, peripherals, display, networking, telecommunications, industrial, instrumentation and battery-powered products. To learn more, visit Intersil’s Power Management Web site at http://www.intersil.com/power.

Pricing and Availability
The ISL6310 is available now in a 32-lead QFN standard or lead-free package and is priced at $1.80. The ISL6308 is available now in a 40-lead QFN standard or lead-free package and is priced at $2.25. Both prices are for 1,000-unit quantities. More information on the ISL6310 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL6310,0.html and more information on the ISL6308 is available at http://www.intersil.com/cda/deviceinfo/0,1477,ISL6308,0.html.

Note to editors: To view a high-resolution downloadable photo of these products, visit Intersil’s photo room at: http://www.intersil.com/pressroom/photoarchives.asp. About Intersil
Intersil Corporation, a NASDAQ 100 Index company, is a leader in the design and manufacture of high performance analog semiconductors. The company’s products address three of the industry’s fastest growing markets: flat panel displays, optical storage (CD and DVD recordable) and power management. Intersil products include power management devices for battery management, hot-swap and hot-plug controllers, linear regulators, supervisory ICs, switching DC / DC regulators and power MOSFET drivers; optical storage laser diode drivers; DSL line drivers; video and high performance operational amplifiers; data converters; interface ICs; analog switches and multiplexers; crosspoint switches; voice-over-IP devices; and ICs for military, space and rad-hard applications. For more information about Intersil or to find out how to become a member of our winning team, visit the company’s web site and career page at www.intersil.com.

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