Lattice’s “Power 2 You” Can Help Designers Reduce Board Design Cost And Complexity

Modern circuit broads use VLSIs such as CPUs, FPGAs and ASICs to perform the primary processing functions. These VLSIs require multiple board-mounted supplies that should be turned on in a specific sequence, monitored for faults and trimmed for voltage accuracy. In addition, the input power to the board requires redundant power management and a hot-swap function for plug-in boards. All the functions that control various power rails comprise board power management.

Designers have traditionally implemented each of these functions using a unique set of single function ICs and their associated passive components. To select these components, a designer must refer to multiple application notes and datasheets from various vendors. Given the complexity of modern circuit boards, this approach to power management has become unwieldy and time consuming.

A Broad Review of Power Management
“Power 2 You” provides in-depth discussions of the technical details and design challenges for all common power management functions, and examines programmable design solutions that can be modified using software. Separate chapters are devoted to:
• Reset Generators and Supervisors
• Power Supply Sequencing
• Hot-swap Controllers
• Power Supply ORing Controllers
• Power Feed Controllers
• Margining and Trimming