New Industry Products

Power Stages target High-Efficiency Server and Datacom Systems

June 16, 2014 by Jeff Shepard

Infineon Technologies AG today announced DrBlade™ 2, an integrated power stage device that combines two power MOSFETs and a dc-dc driver IC with integrated current and temperature sensing in a compact, low-profile package that helps engineers of server and datacom applications handle high power density requirements and shorten design-in cycles. The breakthrough power package uses galvanic and lamination processes, resulting in a significantly reduced package footprint and height, superior electrical resistance and inductance specs, and improved cooling capabilities.

Features include: Compatible to Intel® VR12 Driver and Mosfets Module (DrMOS) functionality; High current capability 60A maximum average load current; Capable of operating up to 1.2MHz switching frequency; 4.5V to 16V input capability; Optimized footprint for dc-dc converter layout and improved cooling to the PCB; Low thermal resistance to the top side; and Compatible to standard +3.3 V PWM controller. Infineon also offers complete high performance dc-dc voltage regulation solutions based on DrBlade 2 power stages and Infineon’s fourth generation digital controller ICs.

“Infineon’s system solution with DrBlade 2 offers highest efficiency at all load conditions and enables fast and effective power management design in server and datacom applications,” says Richard Kuncic, Senior Director System Segment DC-DC at Infineon Technologies. “We are proud that DrBlade 2 has been selected by industry leading power engineers for their latest designs.”

The integrated power stage contains small, very efficient and thermally enhanced MOSFETs and Infineon’s latest driver technology. DrBlade 2 offers high precision current and temperature sense protection features for better system robustness and improved reliability. The power stage achieves more than 95 percent peak efficiency which translates into better system performance with significantly reduced power losses and less cooling requirements. End customers in server and datacom applications benefit from lower energy costs during operation and thus improved total cost of ownership over lifetime.

The entire dc-dc system solution, including the new DrBlade 2 and digital controller, is compliant to RoHS 2016 and absolutely lead free. The full system solution comes with a Graphic User Interface (GUI) to program controller parameters and to tune voltage regulation while in operation. All parameters of the controller are set via firmware that is stored in non-volatile memory. Accessible over I2C bus and PMBus, the system engineer is able to adjust all parameters of operation in real time without the need to interrupt active regulation.

Product samples of DrBlade 2.0 (TDA21320) and DrBlade 2.1 (TDA21321) are available, mass production will start at the end of June 2014. The devices come in a WIQFN-38 package with dimensions of only 6.6mm x 4.5mm x 0.6mm.The digital controllers are available in high-volume in a VQFN package with 40 or 48 pins.