New Industry Products

15A / 42V DC-DC Power Modules for Industrial and Medical Systems

September 12, 2017 by Paul Shepard

Intersil, a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation, today announced the first 42V single-channel dc-dc step-down power module that delivers up to 15A of continuous current. The ISL8215M operates from a single wide input voltage range that includes industry standard 12V, 18V, and 24V intermediate bus power rails.

The module offers adjustable output voltages from 0.6V to 12V, and provides the highest power density of 60mA/mm2 in a 13mm x 19mm package. Its 96.5% peak efficiency drives point-of-load (POL) conversions for FPGAs, DSPs and MCUs in industrial, medical, RF communications, after-market automotive, and portable equipment that use Li-ion batteries.

The ISL8215M is a complete dc-dc power supply that includes a controller, MOSFETs, inductor and passive components inside a single encapsulated package to simplify system design and speed time to market. An ISL8215MEVAL1Z evaluation board is also available.

ISL8215MEVAL1Z evaluation board

The module's proprietary High Density Array (HDA) package offers unmatched electrical and thermal performance through a single-layer conductive package substrate that reduces lead inductance and dissipates heat primarily through the system board.

The ISL8215M's components are mounted to a copper lead-frame structure that allows the module to operate at full load over a wide temperature range with no airflow or heatsinks, further reducing size and cost.

Derating Curve, VOUT = 3.3V, COUT = 4x100μF Ceramic + 1x470μF POSCAP (click on image to enlarge)

The ISL8215M also provides fast transient response and excellent loop stability while its 40ns typical minimum on time allows single-step low duty cycle down conversions to point-of-load voltages. The device offers selectable light load efficiency to extend battery life in Li-ion powered applications, and support Energy Star® compliant products.

The device provides voltage, temperature and current protection features that ensure safe operation under abnormal operating conditions. The ISL8215M also provides automatic restart upon fault clearance to protect the load and system.

Philip Chesley, vice president of Industrial Analog and Power products at Intersil

"The ISL8215M delivers unparalleled power density and ultra-high efficiency performance," said Philip Chesley, vice president of Industrial Analog and Power products at Intersil.

"This module's size and above 40V input with 15A output current performance along with an unmatched feature set enables customers to easily address their increasingly compact power designs," concluded Chesley.

Key Features and Specifications of ISL8215M:

  • Complete 15A single-channel power supply integrates controller, MOSFETs, inductor, and passive components
  • Operates from a single 7V to 42V wide input voltage range
  • Adjustable output voltage from 0.6V to 12V with +/- 1.5 % accuracy over line, load and temperature, and 40ns on-time low duty cycle
  • Up to 96.5% peak efficiency
  • Adjustable switching frequency from 300kHz to 2MHz, with 300kHz default
  • External clock signal synchronization up to 1MHz
  • Selectable light-load PSM/DEM efficiency mode to extend battery life
  • Fault protections include input under-voltage lockout, over-temperature, programmable over-current, output over-voltage and output pre-bias startup ensure safe operation
  • Programmable soft-start reduces inrush current from the input supply
  • Dedicated enable pin and power-good flag simplify sequencing of system power rails with voltage tracking

The ISL8215M power module is available now in a 19mm x 13mm x 5.3mm HDA package and is priced at $13.90 USD in 1k quantities. An ISL8215MEVAL1Z evaluation board can be purchased for $69 USD each.