Controller ensures maximum CPU speed without overheating.
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Press Release Summary:
Housed in 38-lead, 5 x 7 mm QFN package, LTC3738 Intel VRM10 Pentium® 4 power supply controller provides precision current balancing and remote thermal monitoring capabilities. PolyPhase(TM) multichannel step-down dc/dc controller integrates 3 synchronous MOSFET drivers and is scalable from 3-12 phases to meet CPU load current requirements from 60-200 A. Unit distributes power equally among its channels to avoid overheating. Applications include single- and multi-CPU platform systems.
Original Press Release:
Up to 200A VRM10 Pentium® 4 Power Supply Ensures Maximum CPU Speed without Overheating
MILPITAS, CA - July 12, 2004 - Linear Technology Corporation introduces the LTC3738, an Intel VRM10 Pentium® 4 power supply controller with precision current balancing and remote thermal monitoring to ensure optimum power supply thermal performance for maximum processor speed. The LTC3738 is a PolyPhase(TM) multi-channel step-down DC/DC synchronous MOSFET controller that is scalable from three to twelve phases to meet CPU load current requirements ranging from 60A to 200A. By distributing the power equally among its channels and with its ability to use a thermal sensor, the LTC3738 allows the CPU to run at maximum speed without exceeding the thermal limitations of the MOSFETs or other system components. These features simplify cooling of the power supply and improve reliability. Applications include single or multi-CPU platform systems including high-end servers and workstations.
The LTC3738 is compliant with Intel's VRM10/VRD10 as well as VRM9 CPU power supply specifications. It allows a simpler design than existing solutions by integrating three synchronous MOSFET drivers. Equivalent competitive solutions require four power control ICs and a temperature monitoring IC. The LTC3738 incorporates all functions. In addition, the existing solutions are limited to 4-phase operation, or nominal 80A, whereas up to four LTC3738s can operate concurrently as a 12-phase power supply capable of delivering up to 200A of load current with optimum thermal performance. Moreover, with precision current balancing, the LTC3738 distributes the output power evenly among the channels and board components. In contrast, competitive solutions rely on MOSFET RDS(ON) or inductor DCR sensing which, because of unmatched parametric limits and temperature variations, can cause overheating of one or more channels.
The LTC3738 is housed in a 7mmx5mm QFN package. Pricing for 1,000 pieces begins at $4.65.
Summary of Features: LTC3738
3- to 12-Phase Controller with Onboard MOSFET Drivers
Programmable External Thermal Detection or Internal Thermal Sensing
Precise Output Current Matching Optimizes Thermal Performance and Solution Size
210kHz to 530kHz Per Phase, Fixed Frequency Operation
Synchronizable
38-Lead 5mm x 7mm QFN Package
Company Background
Linear Technology Corporation was founded in 1981 as a manufacturer of high performance linear integrated circuits. Linear Technology products include high performance amplifiers, comparators, voltage references, monolithic filters, linear regulators, DC-DC converters, battery chargers, data converters, communications interface circuits, RF signal conditioning circuits, and many other analog functions. Applications for Linear Technology's high performance circuits include telecommunications, cellular telephones, networking products such as optical switches, notebook and desktop computers, computer peripherals, video/multimedia, industrial instrumentation, security monitoring devices, high-end consumer products such as digital cameras and MP3 players, complex medical devices, automotive electronics, factory automation, process control, and military and space systems.
Call toll-free 1-800-4-LINEAR (for literature only), or go to the company's web site: www.linear.com
