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SAN
JOSE, CA -- JUNE 2, 2003 -- Summit
Microelectronics has raised the bar in
intelligent power management devices with the
introduction of the SMM665, a six-channel active
controller that includes sequencing and margining
functions. Ideal applications for the device
include networking and communications equipment
where carrier-class availability (ie, 99.999%
up-time) is essential.
The SMM665
utilizes a new engineering concept created by
Summit called Active DC Output Control (ADOC). The
ADOC function intelligently maintains the output
voltage of up to six DC/DC converters on the user's
board (Figure
1),
dramatically improving voltage accuracy in normal
system use -- typically +/-0.1% of voltage output,
and guaranteed to +/- 0.2%, compared to several
percent without ADOC
In addition, the SMM665 is highly useful in initial
turn-on of the board during production to perform
"margining" (see Figure
2).
This is the temporary adjusting of each of the six
DC/DC converter supply voltages up to +/-10% in any
combination -- so that sensitivity of the system to
power supply changes can be determined. Margining
can be performed either just on prototype boards
before production launch, or can be done
board-by-board in production to test for
manufacturing variations.
Finally, the SMM665 can be configured to sequence
up to six voltage supplies in any order during both
power-up and power-down transitions. (Figure 2).
This sequencing can be set by the user to cascade
each supply as the prior supply completes its
transition, therefore relieving the user of the
need to calculate the slew rate of each supply
voltage depending on its loading, and specifying a
safe delay time before the next supply can be
actuated. This guarantees that unwanted crossover
will not occur.
The SMM665 can be accessed by the popular I2C bus
to exercise complete control of the board's power
characteristics. This can be done during
production, or each time that the board is booted
up, or during normal operation "on the fly."
DESIGN SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMER FOR PROTOTYPE
DEVELOPMENT
To speed user product development using the
SMM665 and Summit's other programmable products,
Summit offers customers the SMX3200
programming system. This is a complete development
tool that lets designers easily manipulate the
characteristics of their system. The SMX3200 design
kit includes menu-driven Microsoft Windows•
graphic user interface (GUI) software to automate
programming tasks and also includes all necessary
hardware to interface to the parallel port of a
laptop or PC.
Once
a user completes design and prototyping, SMX3200
automatically generates a HEX data file that can be
transmitted to Summit for review and approval.
Summit then assigns a unique customer
identification code to the HEX file and programs
the customer's production devices prior to final
electrical test operations. This ensures that
device will operate properly in the end
application. The design kit software can be
downloaded today from Summit's website
(www.summitmicro.com).
DESIGN KIT FOR AUTOMATED PROTOTYPE
DEVELOPMENT
An evaluation card containing the SMM665
controller, six DC/DC converters, all required
associated circuitry, and a port for "plug and
play" programming via the SMX33200 dongle interface
is available. A three-digit digital voltmeter is
required to see the voltage accuracy enhancement
provided by the SMM665 -- typically as low as
+/-0.1% error (guaranteed to +/- 0.2%), compared to
the +/-2% or even +/-4% variation of typical
converter bricks when the SMM665 is removed.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
Available in volume quantities today, the SMM665
comes in a 48-pin TQFP surfacemount package.
Pricing is $9.00 in 10,000 unit quantities.
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ABOUT
SUMMIT
Summit Microelectronics supplies semiconductors
that manage power functions in communications,
networking, storage and server systems. With
Summit's programmable analog technology, customers
can achieve carrier-class availability, the highest
standard of reliability available today for
telecommunications, data communications and
Internet applications.
Founded in 1997, Summit is headquartered in San
Jose, California. The Company is ISO 9001
certified.
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