Powering high-performance ASICs and microprocessors

摘要

Today's highest performing ASICs and microprocessors can consume more than 150W. With supply voltages of 1V to 1.5V, the required current for these devices can easily exceed 100A. Using multiphase DC-DC converters makes the task of providing power to these devices more manageable. Currently, scalable power-supply controllers are available that allow the designer to choose the number of phases for specific DC-DC converters. On-board PLL-based clock generators allow the controllers to be synchronized; scalability allows several controllers to be paralleled and synchronized.