Nowadays, graphics processing units (GPUs) feature tens of billions of transistors. With each new generation of GPUs, the number of transistors in GPUs continues to increase to improve processor performance. However, the growing number of transistors is also resulting in an exponential increase in power demand, which makes it more difficult to meet transient response specifications. This article ...

In the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple (∆VOUT), and loop stability. This article discusses how to calculate the inductance of a buck converter using the MPQ2314 as well as key parameters including the rising current of the inductor temperature, saturation current DC resistance, operating frequency, and magne...

Power failures tend to cause a domino effect of disruptions, resulting in system failures and data loss, as well as damage to servers and equipment. This article describes how to use the MP5515 to protect solid-state drives (SSDs) against sudden power failure. There are three main issues if an SSD experiences a power failure: The MP5515 is an input power conditioning PMIC that provides a compact...

The switch node of a switching regulator or power converter circuit is a critical conduction path that requires special attention when designing the PCB layout. This circuit node is where one or more power semiconductor switches (such as a MOSFET or diode) connect to a magnetic energy-storing device (such as an inductor or transformer winding). The switching signals of this circuit node contain fa...

There is much confusion regarding how to make meaningful design decisions when converting a datasheet’s thermal resistance parameters. This introductory article will help today’s hardware engineers understand how to decipher the thermal parameters found in datasheets — including whether to choose theta vs. psi, how to calculate these values, and most importantly, how to apply the...

An unstable power supply can cause severe system issues, such as audible noise from the passive components, unexpected jittering in the switching frequency, extreme oscillations on the output voltage during load transient events, and failures in the semiconductor switches. While there are various reasons for instability, an un-tuned compensation network accounts for majority of instability issues ...