Intersil introduces the innovative 60V synchronous Buck controller

     Intersil, a leading provider of innovative power management and precision simulation solutions, today announced the ISL8117, the first 60V synchronous step-down controller that avoids the intermediate step-down transition stages commonly used in industrial applications. The low duty cycle of the step-down PWM controller (minimum on-time 40 nanoseconds) supports direct step-down conversion from 48V to 1V load point. This innovation enables engineers to significantly reduce system complexity and solution costs for industrial electronics, medical and communications infrastructure applications.

     In high-input voltage applications that require a lower output voltage, engineers often rely on modules that increase the cost of the system, or secondary DC/DC solutions that increase the size and complexity of the solution. The introduction of the ISL8117 controller provides an economical and reliable alternative for low output voltage/input voltage ratio (Vout/ Vin) applications. The ISL8117 uses valley current mode modulation with adaptive ramp compensation to support stable operation of a wide range of input and output voltage combinations without external compensation. System engineers can also use the ISL8117's adjustable frequency of up to 2MHz to optimize power cost, size, and efficiency.

     The innovative ISL8117 reduces solution size and simplifies system design without sacrificing performance. The default design values for common functions and the wide input and output voltage range of the ISL8117 make it require fewer peripheral components than competing solutions. Using the ISL8117, engineers can design complete DC/DC buck conversion solutions with as few as 10 components, including MOSFETs and passive components, and achieve conversion efficiencies of up to 98% and output voltage accuracy of 1.5%. The ISL8117's low pin count and easy to lay out pin structure also minimizes the number of overlapping traces, further improving power performance.

     "The ISL8117 step-down controller meets the market demand for direct point-of-load conversion from extremely high input voltages, such as 48V, to 1V outputs," said Mark Downing, senior vice president, Infrastructure and Industrial Power Products, Intersil. The unique ability to support light load efficiency modes is critical in industrial applications and makes the ISL8117 a much better alternative to existing solutions based on older technologies."