Power Chipset Reduces Capacitance By 60%

The new VRD/VRM-10 power chipset consists of the MAX8525 interleaved, two-to-eight phase scalable PWM controller and the MAX8523 dual-phase gate driver. Compared to similar devices, the MAX8525 is said to require up to 60% less capacitance. It features pin-selectable 2-, 3-, and 4-phase operation along with true 6- and 8-phase operation when in master/slave mode. Both devices offer two options for current sensing: lossless temperature-compensated current sensing; or via external sense resistors. Other features of the chipset include a peak-current mode architecture that allows for compensation using ceramic, polymer, or electrolytic capacitors and a 150 kHz to 1.2 MHz phase-switching frequency. The MAX8523 comes in a 16-pin QSOP and the MAX8525 is available in a 28-pin QSOP. The devices have an operating temperature range from -40°C to 85°C. MAXIM INTEGRATED PRODUCTS, Sunnyvale, CA. (800) 998-8800.