Intersil Holding Releases the HIP6521 DC/DC Controller CPU Power Regulator
Intersil Holding Corp. (Irvine, CA) released its multiple-output dc/dc controller CPU power regulator for advanced configuration power interface (ACPI)-compliant PCs. This power regulator uses Intel's Tahoma Pentium 4 (P4) that interfaces with Rambus memory.
According to Intersil, the ACPI specification enables computers to transition into an active state to perform routine activities. When tasks are complete, the ACPI compliant systems revert to a sleep state where they consume less than 5W of power with the ability to quickly return to active mode. The controller works by regulating the power delivered to microprocessor peripheral components, powering those that are required to stay awake during the computer stand-by modes.
The multiple-output dc/dc controller, HIP6521, integrates one synchronous pulse width modulator buck controller and three linear bipolar junction transistor controllers. It delivers regulated power to embedded ASICs, CPUs, memory cards, computer chipsets and oscillators. The HIP6521 accepts 5V and provides output voltages as low as 0.8V. Outputs are protected from over-current events and each output voltage is user-programmable by means of an external resistor divider, providing a +/- 2 percent accuracy tolerance.
The HIP6521 soft-start is internal and digitally controlled, eliminating the need for an external capacitor. The device requires 5V and 3.3V as input voltages, but also works off 5V when it is the only available supply rail. The device's over-current protection method employs sensing the on-resistance of the upper MOSFET to detect overload conditions.
Intersil is offering the HIP6521 in 16-pin narrow-body SOIC packages priced at $2.50 per 10,000.
