Automotive System-on-Chip (SoC) Core Power Use Case: Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS)

USE CASE

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This use case considers the application of the MPQ2967-AEC1 and the MPQ86960-AEC1 for automotive core power in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems

MPS has developed comprehensive power management solutions with the MPQ2967-AEC1 and the MPQ86960, which offer improved efficiency and power density for system-on-chip (SoC) core power applications compared to traditional offerings.

As automotive technology increasingly depends on electronics, the way these multiple systems communicate is becoming more centralized to achieve efficient performance. The ADAS domain controller is the central point for gathering all the sensor data from cameras, radar, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and maps, from which relevant future decisions can be made, such as whether a potential hazard requires shutting down the vehicle. An ADAS electronic control unit (ECU) is a dedicated module that is responsible for advanced driver-assistance system functions. These modules are becoming more integrated and centralized in ADAS systems.

Figure 2 shows the evolution of automotive computing, with the ADAS domain controllers and ECUs.

Figure 2: Evolution of Automotive Computing

MPS has developed comprehensive power management solutions with the MPQ2967-AEC1 and the MPQ86960, which offer improved efficiency and power density for system-on-chip (SoC) core power applications compared to traditional offerings. Both products provide power conversion solutions for the core power rails of automotive SoCs, CPUs, GPUs, and FPGAs with space-constrained PCB areas.

The MPQ2967-AEC1 is a dual-rail, digital multi-phase controller with a PMBus interface that provides digital control to enable flexibility, configurability, and scalability for faster design cycles. Its advanced constant-on-time (COT) pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller technology results in lower output capacitance and predictable EMI. Furthermore, the MPQ2967-AEC1’s built-in memory can be used to store customer configuration and be reconfigured up to 1000 times.

As part of MPS’s automotive MPSafe^TM portfolio of safety-oriented, automotive-qualified products, the MPQ2967-AEC1 has been developed in accordance with ISO 26262, a functional safety product development process. The digital multi-phase controller is available in a TQFN-40 (6mmx6mm) package, and it is AEC-Q100 qualified.

Additional features of the MPQ2967-AEC1 include:

• PWM-VID Interface Compliant
• Automatic Loop Compensation
• Automatic Phase-Shedding (APS) with and without Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) to Improve Overall Efficiency
• Phase-to-Phase Active Current Balancing
• Accurate Monitoring for the Input Voltage (V_IN), Output Voltage (V_OUT), Output Current (I_OUT), and Regulator Temperature
• Comprehensive Protections Including Under-Voltage Lockout (UVLO), Over-Voltage Protection (OVP), Over-Current Protection (OCP), and Reverse-Voltage Protection (RVP)
• Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) and Error Correction Code (ECC) for Memory Transformation
• Packet Error Checking (PEC) for PMBus Communication
• Separate EN for Power Sequencing on Each Rail
• Digital, Configurable Load Line

The MPQ86960, a monolithic half-bridge with built-in internal power MOSFETs and gate drivers, is ideal for autonomous driving applications where efficiency and compact size are at a premium. Its monolithic design requires less components overall and offers higher switching frequency (f_SW), reducing inductor size and capacitor count. The monolithic half-bridge is available in an LGA-38 (5mmx6mm) package.

The MPQ86960’s wide 3V to 22V operating V_IN range provides versatility. The device offers switching loss reduction for high efficiency, in addition superior accuracy with its Accu-Sense^TM current sensing technology. The integrated MOSFETs and drivers achieve high efficiency through an optimized dead time (DT) and reduced parasitic inductance.

Additional features of the MPQ86960 include:

• Up to 50A of Output Current (I_OUT)
• Accepts Tri-State PWM Signal
• Built-In Switch for Bootstrap (BST)
• Temperature Sense
• Current-Limit Protection and Fault Flag
• Over-Temperature Protection (OTP) and Fault Flag
• Used for Multi-Phase Operation

The MPQ2967-AEC1 and the MPQ86960 are designed to power automotive SoC core rails for various applications, including advanced driver-assistance systems. The combined process technology of the MPQ2967-AEC1 and the MPQ86960 optimizes efficiency to achieve a safer and more reliable automotive system, while also extending the automotive battery range.

To learn more about the MPQ2967-AEC1, MPQ86960-AEC1, and additional applications that can use these parts, see MPS’s selection of multi-phase digital controllers and Intelli-Phase^TM DrMOS.