1) What is PoL power supply？

Point-of-load (PoL) power supplies are commonly used in distributed, multi-function PCB designs, placed close to LSIs (Large Scale Integrated Circuits) to power high-speed processing ICs such as FPGAs, DSPs and ASICs. PoL power supplies are normally non-isolated micro power supplies, commonly used in optical communication, data centers, switches, etc.

2) What is the role of PoL power supply？

The need for diversification of system functions has led designers to design and develop products with many extended functional components. These components individually require low input voltage and high output current. However, the number and variety of components mean that designers are unlikely to choose a highly isolated DC/DC module directly from the AC/DC power supply for conversion due to cost and design difficulties. Here the PoL power supply really shines.

The designer will first select a high-power, highly isolated, regulated DC/DC converter for a bus voltage (i.e. a secondary power supply), and then select a PoL power supply for a power conversion to power the back-end power components. Because a regulated and isolated power supply has been chosen for the front end, so most of the PoL does not need to be isolated and regulated. This design ensures conversion efficiency and stability with a clear and simple structure. It also significantly reduces design costs.

Driven by product updates, as well as the diverse needs of customers, the demand for power supply products with low-voltage input, high-current output will be more and more, PoL power supply in the future will play a pivotal role in the design of power supply solutions.

In communication systems, the design of subsystems using FPGAs, DSPs or microprocessors is a key part of the overall system and the most time-consuming part. Of course, when designing subsystem circuits, engineers can choose to design these back-end power conversion circuits using a discrete solution. With discrete power solutions, individual raw materials are less expensive, but engineers spend a lot of time designing the discrete power conversion circuits and are unable to concentrate on the design of key system units, increasing the design and verification time of the whole system, which can also lead to delays in the time-to-market of the whole system. In addition, the large number of components will increase the cost of raw material management and defect control. Most importantly, the discrete solution will lead to an increase in board area, which is contrary to the current demand and trend for miniaturization of systems. The use of non-isolated DC/DC point-of-load (PoL) power modules can provide a number of important benefits. These highly integrated power modules, with their advanced packaging technology, can take advantage of high power density, help miniaturize system size and provide reliable overall performance to meet demanding power management requirements. The use of power modules means that design engineers need minimal external components to quickly implement complex power management designs and focus on the core of the system. In addition, even if power requirements change mid to late in the design cycle, the DOSA & POLA compliant power modules can be easily swapped out without redesigning the PCB, reducing time-to-market.

The use of non-isolated DC/DC point-of-load (PoL) power modules can provide a number of important benefits. These highly integrated power modules, with their advanced packaging technology, can take advantage of high power density, help miniaturize system size and provide reliable overall performance to meet demanding power management requirements. The use of power modules means that design engineers need minimal external components to quickly implement complex power management designs and focus on the core of the system. In addition, even if power requirements change mid to late in the design cycle, the DOSA & POLA compliant power modules can be easily swapped out without redesigning the PCB, reducing time-to-market.

1) High current output, high dynamic load, high output voltage accuracy, low ripple noise

With the development of communication technologies, CPUs, DSPs and ASICs are required to process faster and faster, with lower voltages and higher currents. High-speed chips such as FPGAs, CPUs, DSPs and ASICs use advanced transistor technology and chip architectures to achieve high-performance, compact size. In addition to high dynamic load capacity, high peak currents and low ripple noise interference, the power supplies used to power these chips also need to have high output voltage accuracy, high speed transient response and low voltage deviation to meet their normal operating requirements.

2) Compact size

One of the reasons for the emergence of PoL power supplies is the development of miniaturization in semiconductor manufacturing. Also, as communications equipment continues to become smaller, there is an increasing need for PoL power supplies to be miniaturized and to deliverhigh power. Furthermore, the current in a circuit creates an electromagnetic field in the conductor, which causes interference and affects the proper functioning of the circuit. There is also the resistance of wire, which can cause a voltage drop. The smaller the size of the PoL power supply, the closer it can be to the point of load, reducing the length and impedance of the wire and reducing the effects of electromagnetic interference and voltage drop, thus improving the stability and reliability of the circuit.

3) DOSA & PoLA based

(Point of Load Alliance) and DOSA (Distributed Power Supply Open Standards Alliance) are two product standardization consortia in the power supply industry. Their aim is to achieve pin compatibility between DC/DC products from different manufacturers, flexible interchangeability and reduced deployment risk.

4) Wide input voltage range

The high isolation DC/DC power supply in this kind of circuit usually converts the mains power to 5VDC or 12VDC, so the PoL power supply must have a wide input voltage range to match the 5VDC and 12VDC input from the isolated DC/DC power supply. The wide input also allows compatibility with a wider range of input voltages, simplifying design selection.

5) Adjustable output

RAM, FPGA, CPU/GPU, DSP and ASICs, these loads have different input voltages (0.6V/1.2V/1.8V/2.5V/3.3V/5.0V) and the adjustable output range of the PoL voltage allows one PoL power supply to meet the operating voltage range requirements of multiple loads, reducing selection effort.

Mornsun's compact high-efficiency PoL switching regulators feature a high load range of 6 to 60A, high output voltage accuracy of ±1%, adjustable output voltage, high conversion efficiency, fast transient response, low ripple noise, and PGood, Remote sense, CTRL functions. In addition, these PoL power modules have a wide operating temperature range of -40℃ to +85℃ and comply with DOSA & POLA. So they are suitable for communication, computer network industries, and power distributed architecture, workstations, servers, LANs/WANs, providing high current with fast transient response for high-speed chips of FPGA, DSP and ASIC.

The main power supply VCF4812EBO-150WR3   converts 48VDC to 12VDC to power back-end loads. PoL Power Supply K12MT-12A  provides. the step-down voltage required by circuits to power various loads such as microprocessors, memories and other components.

MORNSUN's complete supply chain and strong production capacity ensures on-time delivery to our customers as always, and we will continue to provide better quality products and services to our customers.

Technical team. Our R&D engineers at MORNSUN have designed a range of power solutions to meet the diverse needs of your power systems. You can choose one or more of our advanced and cost-effective components, from AC/DC converters and AC/DC SMPS to DC/DC power supplies. Guided by the service principle of "trustworthy", MORNSUN offers the best products, fast and local service, and efficient pre-sales and after-sales support for clients worldwide.

MORNSUN provides professional power supply services. Backed by a perfect management system that consists of advanced research technology, a high-quality raw material platform, advanced equipment, excellent manufacturing process management, specialized screening sequence on reliability, and rich experience, each solution from MORNSUN is designed to improve the stability, safety, and reliability of your power system.

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