Potentia Semiconductor has upgraded its PowerCenter Designer software. The enhanced Version 4.0 software now supports the company's complete range of second-generation devices, including its latest 6-rail secondary side power system controllers. Available as a free download, the latest version offers a complete design flow for the configuration of distributed power systems. The point-and-click software environment screens aim to substantially reduce design times.
A key enhancement introduced by the Version 4.0 software is full support for negative voltage rails. Once a negative value has been specified, PowerCenter Designer automatically sets all necessary controller device registers for negative rail management. A more comprehensive strategy also has been implemented for configuration error handling. The latest PowerCenter Designer software disallows power system configurations that it determines are likely to result in undesirable long-term effects in complex power architectures.
The new chips supported by PowerCenter Designer V4.0 include the PS-2606 and the soon-to-be-announced PS-2607 power system controller ICs. Providing comprehensive voltage monitoring and control of up to six POL converters and an intermediate bus, the ICs offer the option of an isolated data link to companion primary side devices.