Intelligent Power

Digital Control of Analog Regulators

For easy to implement digital management, single-chip regulators can efficiently perform a power conversion. Microchip's PIC^® and AVR^® microcontrollers (MCUs) can implement on/off control, sequencing and monitoring of analog controllers or regulators. This approach is very effective in many battery management, lighting, energy harvesting and embedded power conversion applications.

Digitally Enhanced Power Analog (DEPA) Controllers

In Digitally Enhanced Power Analog (DEPA) controllers, the analog control chip and PIC^® MCU are contained on the same die. This integration improves the accuracy, flexibility, and speed of the digital management functions. DEPA solutions allow for a higher voltage input to the controller, eliminating the need for a bias supply; integrated high current drive pins, eliminating the need for external driver chips; and dramatic increase in the degree of configuration in the analog control loop, increasing the versatility of the design. The benefits include dynamically adjustable frequency, output level, current limit, over- and under-voltage protection levels. Combining these benefits with programmable fault responses results in optimal operation based on the real-time line, load and temperature conditions. DEPA based intelligent power supplies are ideally suited to battery charging, dimmable single or multi-string LED lighting and automotive power applications.

Core Independent Peripheral (CIP) Hybrid Power Controllers

The analog control loop can be implemented efficiently in a PIC^® MCU taking advantage of the most recent set of Core Independent Peripheral (CIP) blocks optimized for power conversion applications. Capable MCU models (see product list below) implement a hybrid approach to power control by combining the flexibility of analog and digital peripherals that can be configured (at runtime) to assemble a large variety of topologies under the control of the microcontroller. CIP-Hybrid Controllers do not integrate FET drivers thereby leaving the developer maximum flexibility on the selection of power and voltages. Since CIPs are designed to operate independently from the core, once configured, they allow full use of the processor CPU for communication and coordination tasks while delivering optimal power supply performance/features. Up to four independent power conversion stages can be managed by a single controller. This is very well suited for management of smart (solid state) lighting solutions, advanced dimming solutions for automotive and building automation, battery charging, multistage power sequencing and smart power applications for the Internet of Things.

Full Digital Power

For the highest performance, dsPIC^® Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs)can close the control loop in the digital domain, with powerful algorithms to maximize efficiency at all load conditions. In applications where efficiency requirements are stringent, transient response is critical, and monitoring/reporting are mandatory for maximum up-time, the benefits of a fully digital power supply is more than just added value, it is a competitive necessity. This approach is perfectly suited for multi-stage AC-DC or DC-DC conversions, renewable energy, server, and computing applications.

Using this variety of approaches, Microchip produces power solutions for a wide range of applications. For any digital or digitally-featured power need, there is a Microchip answer.

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