Multichip Modules Enable Megahertz Switching
Jan 10, 2007 2:24 PM
News & Features From Auto Electronics
Committed to improving hybrid electric cars
New Motors for Hybrid Vehicles
Battery Firms Battle for Hybrid Hegemony
Innovative Bipolar Plates for Fuel Cells
See More Headlines
Top Articles
Exploring Current Transformer Applications
Ultracapacitor Technology Powers Electronic Circuits
Buck-Converter Design Demystified
Sensorless Motor Control Simplifies Washer Drives
PET Resources
Buyer's Guide
Conferences
Engineering Jobs
Power Electronics Events
Rent Our Lists
Spotlight on Digital Power
The portfolio includes devices that can support switching frequencies up to 7 MHz. For these higher frequencies, the MOSFETs are optimized to be driven with a lower gate voltage from the driver, 4.5 V rather than the full 12-V bus voltage. Moxey stated higher frequencies enable the use of smaller phase-output inductors and capacitors, but must be balanced against higher switching losses.
Moxey also stated that further gains in frequency will be possible in the future through integrated packaging of the power stage and the analog controller chip. This represents a class of device between a complete power module and a system-on-chip converter. Moxey stated there can be high cost when using the former, and that the latter supports only a limited current range from 1 A to 3 A. This will make the FET plus Driver Multichip Module family an attractive option for PC power designers.
