Compliant with Intel IMVP8, the ISL95866 from Renesas provides a complete power solution for desktop microprocessors supporting the core (IA), graphics (GT), or unsliced graphics (GTUS or GTX). The controller provides control and protection for two voltage regulators (VR). The first VR can be configured for 4-, 3-, 2-, or 1-phase operation. The second VR is configurable for 3-, 2-, or 1-phase operation. The VRs feature a programmable SVID address to allow maximum flexibility in supporting desktop processor SKUs. Both controller outputs share a common serial control bus to communicate with the CPU and achieve lower cost and smaller board area compared with a two-chip approach. Based on Intersil’s Robust Ripple Regulator (R3) technology, the R3 modulator has many advantages compared to traditional modulators. These include faster transient settling time, variable switching frequency in response to load transients and improved light-load efficiency due to diode emulation mode with load-dependent low switching frequency.

The ISL95866 has several other key features. The controller features three integrated +12 V gate drivers with two on the VR A output. The controller supports either DCR current sensing with a single NTC thermistor for DCR temperature compensation or more precision through resistor current sensing if desired. Both outputs feature remote voltage sense, programmable I_MAX, adjustable switching frequency, OC protection, and single VR_READY power-good indicator. The ISL95866 features an SMBus interface, which supports enabling or disabling droop, output voltage offset adjustment, and disabling of OVP and OCP protections. The rich feature set of the ISL95866 makes this an excellent solution for any IMVP8 compliant desktop applications.