Powervation Unveils New Class Of Digital Power IC Solutions For Communications, Computing & Consumer Applications
Powervation unveiled what it describes as its unique Auto-control™ power-conversion technology – a move that is said to mark a fundamental shift in the analog/digital power-management playing field. The new chip is targeted for electronic systems used in communications, computing and consumer devices. Early test results reveal system efficiency gains of up to 30%, along with a 50% improvement in transient response. A tiny footprint adds to the advantages which also include a 65% reduction in overall system components when compared to analog solutions. The new chip will be available in the first quarter of 2009.
Powervation’s Auto-control technology hits the market at a time of surging demand for digital power conversion technologies. In fact, in a recent statement, digital power market research firm, Darnell Group, noted, "The portion of the power supply market that will employ some form of digital loop control is expected to grow at an average annual rate of about 45% for the next five years. By 2013, the digital power converter market is projected to exceed 1.4 billion units."
According to Powervation’s Chief Executive Officer, Antoin Russell, "Manufacturers of communications, computing and consumer devices are increasingly turning to all-digital power-management solutions as a means of keeping pace with their own innovation. This trend ignited our efforts to develop a solution that could exceed the performance of conventional analog/digital technologies while offering truly unique features that enable eco power-smart devices. Our results confirm that we’ve found the right formula and we’re excited to bring this new technology to a broad range of customers."
At the heart of Powervation’s solution is Auto-control – a digital control algorithm, implemented in firmware, which provides a true adaptive adjustment of the converter to take into account all system variations, while guaranteeing stability of the converter. Where conventional analog/digital solutions require complex calculations to compensate the controller, Powervation states that its Auto-control capability regulates controller behavior on a cycle-by-cycle basis, searching for any modification in the system operation. The entire system parameters are estimated and contained in a single parameter – "MOJO" – which allows a simple adjustment knob for performance enhancement and guaranteed stability.
Powervation’s unique Auto-control algorithm means that the power converter is truly self-contained. It can be plugged directly into the motherboard and immediately operate at peak performance without user intervention. This Plug-and-Power capability is said to enable smart and simple power delivery with outstanding performance. The simplicity also means that advanced expertise in control theory, firmware coding or running complex simulations, is unnecessary.
Powervation will be exhibiting its technology at the upcoming Digital Power Forum (DPF), Sep. 15-17, 2008 in San Francisco.
