Triple-Channel Universal PMIC Supports Low Power FPGA and SoC Processors

Exar Corporation (NYSE: EXAR), a leading supplier of analog mixed-signal products serving the industrial, high-end consumer and infrastructure markets, today announced the introduction of the XR77103 Universal PMIC, Exar’s first Universal PMIC with three integrated synchronous MOSFET power stages.  This integration results in an even smaller solution than was possible before, a tiny, 4mm x 4mm IC which delivers an easy-to-use power management solution for a broad range of FPGAs, SoCs, DSPs and video processors.

The XR77103 features an I²C interface allowing customers to control output voltage (from 0.8V to 6V), switching frequency (from 300kHz to 2.2MHz), power sequencing, and current limit. The XR77103 is supported by a new release of PowerArchitect^TM 4 design and configuration software.

The XR77103 operates from a 4.5V to 14V input supply and all three outputs are designed for 2A load currents with peak currents up to 3A.  Since the device employs a current mode control architecture, outputs can be easily paralleled to provide up to a total of 5A allowing the XR77103 to power a range of low power processors.  A selectable Pulse Skipping Mode (PSM) results in improved efficiency at light loads, a key feature in meeting standby energy requirements or extending battery life.

As the device supports up to a 2.2MHz switching frequency and is packaged in a 4x4mm QFN, it requires fewer and smaller external components, saving engineers valuable board space in their next design.  This family also includes two versions of the XR77103 which offer a fixed set of features for designers not requiring the I²C interface.  The XR77103ELB-A0R5 and –A1R0 are fixed at switching frequencies of 500kHz and 1MHz, respectively.  Both products feature a 0.8V, high accuracy reference (1%) and their output voltages are set by external resistors.
“The XR77103 Universal PMIC with integrated MOSFETs showcases Exar’s enhanced integration capability for monolithic power solutions,” said Tuomas Hollman, Exar’s vice president, power management products. “This extends our portfolio to cover systems that require multiple low current rails in a highly integrated solution, making the XR77103 an ideal fit for applications such as projectors, displays, industrial HVAC systems and home gateways.”