Abstract: Field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are used in a wide variety of applications and end markets, including digital signalprocessing, medical imaging, and high-performance computing. This application note outlines the issues related to powering FPGAs.It also discusses Maxim's solutions for powering Altera® FPGAs.
Linear Technology offers a variety of devices that simplifyconverting power from a USB cable, but the LTC®3455represents the highest level of functional integration yet. The LTC3455 seamlessly manages power flowbetween an AC adapter, USB cable and Li-ion battery,while complying with USB power standards, all from a4mm × 4mm QFN package. In addtion, two high efficiencysynchronous buck converters generate low voltage railswhich most USB-powered peripherals require. TheLTC3455 also provides power-on reset signals for themicroprocessor, a Hot SwapTM output for poweringmemory cards as well as an uncommitted gain blocksuitable for use as a low-battery comparator or an LDOcontroller. The PCB real estate required for the entire USBpower control circuit and two DC/DC converters is only225mm2.
While simplicity and high effi ciency (for cool running) areno longer optional features in isolated power supplies, itis traditionally diffi cult to achieve both. Achieving higheffi ciency often requires the use of advanced topologiesand home-brewed secondary synchronous rectifi cationschemes once reserved only for higher power applications.This only adds to the parts count and to the designcomplexity associated with the reference and optocouplercircuits typically used to maintain isolation. Fortunately, abreakthrough IC makes it possible to achieve both high efficiency and simplicity in a synchronous fl yback topology.The LT®3825 simplifi es and improves the performance oflow voltage, high current fl yback supplies by providingprecise synchronous rectifi er timing and eliminating theneed for optocoupler feedback while maintaining excellentregulation and superior loop response.
Advancements in board assembly, PCB layout anddigital IC integration have produced a new generationof densely populated, high performance systems. Theboard-mounted point-of-load (POL) DC/DC power suppliesin these systems are subject to the same demandingsize, high power and performance requirements asother subsystems. The rigorous new POL demands aredifficult to meet with traditional controller or regulatorICs, or power modules.
As the performance of many handheld devices approachesthat of laptop computers, design complexity also increases.Chief among them is thermal management—how doyou meet increasing performance demands while keepinga compact and small product cool in the user’s hand?For instance, as battery capacities inevitably increase,charge currents will also increase to maintain or improvetheir charge times. Traditional linear regulator-based batterychargers will not be able to meet the charge currentand effi ciency demands necessary to allow a product torun cool. What is needed is a switching-based chargerthat takes just about the same amount of space as a linearsolution—but without the heat.
Each year Vishay releases thousands of new components that enable our customers to create new and superior end products. We recognize that offering unique component solutions helps improve the performance of next-generation devices, overcome technical barriers, and create new markets.
As environmental concerns over traditional lighting increaseand the price of LEDs decreases, high power LEDsare fast becoming a popular lighting solution for offl ineapplications. In order to meet the requirements of offl inelighting—such as high power factor, high effi ciency, isolationand TRIAC dimmer compatibility—prior LED driversused many external discrete components, resulting incumbersome solutions. The LT®3799 solves complexity,space and performance problems by integrating all therequired functions for offl ine LED lighting.
In a recent discussion with a system designer, the requirementfor his power supply was to regulate 1.5Vand deliver up to 40A of current to a load that consistedof four FPGAs. This is up to 60W of power that must bedelivered in a small area with the lowest height profi lepossible to allow a steady fl ow of air for cooling. Thepower supply had to be surface mountable and operateat high enough effi ciency to minimize heat dissipation.He also demanded the simplest possible solution so histime could be dedicated to the more complex tasks. Asidefrom precise electrical performance, this solution had toremovethe heat generated during DC to DC conversionquickly so that the circuit and the ICs in the vicinity do notoverheat. Such a solution requires an innovative designto meet these criteria:
Photomultipliers (PMT), avalanche photodiodes (APD),ultrasonic transducers, capacitance microphones, radiationdetectors and similar devices require high voltage,low current bias. Additionally, the high voltage must bepristinely free of noise; well under a millivolt is a commonrequirement with a few hundred microvolts sometimesnecessary. Normally, switching regulator confi gurationscannot achieve this performance level without employingspecial techniques. One aid to achieving low noise is thatload currents rarely exceed 5mA. This freedom permitsoutput fi ltering methods that are usually impractical
In August of 1992 LTC published Application Note 49,
“Illumination Circuitry for Liquid Crystal Displays.” One
notable aspect of this event is that it generated more
response than all previous LTC application notes combined.
This level of interest, along with significant performance
advances since AN-49’s appearance, justifies
further discussion of LCD backlighting circuitry.
