New Industry Products

First Power Management IC for Client DDR5 Memory Modules

December 06, 2019 by Paul Shepard

Integrated Device Technology, Inc. (IDT) today introduced the industry's first integrated power management IC (PMIC) developed for small outline and un-buffered DDR5-based dual in-line memory modules (DIMM) addressing a broad range of notebook, desktop and embedded computing platforms. IDT's P8911 enables next-generation client platforms to take full advantage of DDR5 memory to realize greater performance, density and reliability while reducing overall system power.

Distributing power management functions across each memory module – as opposed to centralizing them on the motherboard – brings inherent benefits to system thermal profiles, as well as reliability and scalability. The rise of storage class memory with unique voltage, current and power sequencing requirements is also a key trend requiring distributed power architectures.

While servers have taken the lead in adopting this innovative new approach for next-generation equipment, client systems are now following suit as the advantages become even clearer and more compelling.

"IDT has been the champion of distributed power solutions for the memory market for several years now and we are delighted to see these innovations taking hold across the entire computing segment," said Rami Sethi, vice president and general manager of IDT's Memory Interface Division.

"We have worked diligently with systems manufacturers, memory providers, ecosystem partners and industry standards organizations to ensure that our latest offering is perfectly optimized for the needs of desktop, mobile and embedded systems,” Sethi added.

The IDT P8911 is optimized from the previously announced P8900 server PMIC to meet the specific needs of client and embedded applications. The footprint and power delivery characteristics are tailored for smaller form factor memory modules that reside in systems that may operate on battery power for extended periods.

New ultra-low current power states such as quiescent and idle modes can provide significant battery life extension compared to earlier motherboard power solutions. The new PMIC also includes some of the most valuable reliability and serviceability (RAS) features from the server world such as fault protection, error injection, error logging and advanced telemetry.

Summary of Features

  • VINBulk input supply range: 4.25V to 5.5V
  • Three Step Down Switching Regulators: SWA, SWB, SWC
  • Programmable dual phase and single phase regulator for SWA, SWB
  • Error injection capability
  • Persistent error log registers
  • 2 LDO regulators: VOUT_1.8V, VOUT_1.0V
  • Secure Mode and Programmable mode of operation
  • Indepedently programmable output voltages, power up and power down sequence for switch regulators
  • Output power good status reporting mechanism
  • VIN Bulk input supply protection feature : Input over voltage
  • Flexible Open Drain IO (I²C) and Push Pull (I3C Basic) IO Support
  • Flexible mechanism to enable switch regulators (w/VR_EN pin or VR Enable command on I²C or I3C Basic interface)
  • Idle Power State (P1 State)

The new PMIC is released and sampling now.