Compact-Footprint, 60A, Two-Phase Power Supply for AMD K8 Motherboards

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Figure 1

   

Abstract

This application note describes a compact-footprint, low-cost, 60A, two-phase solution for desktop motherboard applications using AMD K8 CPUs. Test data, schematics, and bill of materials are included. The regulator operates from a 12V input and delivers a peak efficiency of 90% with a four-layer, 1oz. copper PC board typically employed in desktop designs. It features a 5in x 1.3in regulator area footprint, and uses low-cost components. Adequate airflow is necessary to ensure that the board/component temperature rise is within acceptable limits for the required operating ambient-temperature range.

The power supply is implemented using the MAX1937 Quick-PWM™ controller. The Quick-PWM architecture regulates the output voltage by driving the output inductor with a constant on-time pulse whenever the output-voltage ripple waveform falls below a reference voltage (Figure 1). The next pulse is applied to the inductor after a fixed minimum off-time, if the output voltage has fallen below the reference. Unlike fixed-frequency controllers that have to wait for the next clock pulse to service load transients, the Quick-PWM control architecture responds after the minimum off-time (350ns for the MAX1937) has elapsed. This ensures fast response under load-transient conditions. The steady-state switching frequency can still be low (180kHz in this design) to maximize efficiency.

Load-transient response (Figure 2) and efficiency data (Figure 3) are shown, along with a bill of materials (Table 1) and schematics of a two-phase power supply for AMD K8 motherboards (Figures 4a and 4b).