Power Management IC and Step-Down Converter Use Case: Wi-Fi 6/7 Routers and Access Points

USE CASE

Tweet this article

Share this article

Share this article

Get valuable resources straight to your inbox - sent out once per month

Subscribe

We value your privacy

This use case examines the application of the MP5496 and MP8770C in Wi-Fi 6/7 routers and access points.

The MP5496 is a highly integrated power management IC (PMIC) with four step-down converters, five low-dropout (LDO) regulators, and flexible logic interface in a space-saving QFN-28 (4mmx4mm) package.

Routers are networking devices that connect computer networks to one another and enable data transfer. An access point (AP) — also known as a wireless AP — functions like a router by connecting devices (e.g. computers, tablets, and laptops) to the internet, but it also provides wireless connectivity, which reduces the need for additional cables or connectors. Routers that have access points can communicate across wireless frequencies and cast a wide net of internet connectivity to multiple devices/networks simultaneously.

If an AP or router experiences an overload or overheats, then all devices on the network may instantaneously lose connectivity if the router or AP is damaged. This means that it is crucial for APs and routers to have a power management system that can avoid triggering protections to maintain connectivity and protect the device.

A power management IC (PMIC) can regulate the power supply of different components within the AP router, provide protections, and optimize power usage with intelligent power sequencing that reduces power consumption.

The MP5496 is a highly integrated power management IC (PMIC) with four step-down converters, five low-dropout (LDO) regulators, and flexible logic interface in a space-saving QFN-28 (4mmx4mm) package. The converters provide a fixed switching frequency (fSW) in continuous conduction mode (CCM) to reduce external inductance and capacitance.

The system automatically executes start-up and shutdown sequences that can also be configured, in addition to manual controls that can be used to reset the device or turn it on/off.

The MP5496 includes the following features:

• Four High-Efficiency Step-Down Converters:
• Buck 1/2/3/4: 4.5A/2.5A/4A/2A
• 0.6V to 2.1875V Output Voltage (V_OUT) Range with 12.5mV/Step
• 2.8V to 5.5V Input Voltage (V_IN) Range
• Adjustable f_SW
• Configurable Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM), or Pulse-Frequency Modulation (PFM)/PWM Mode
• Five Low-Dropout (LDO) Regulators:
• Four Low-Noise LDOs
• One RTC-Dedicated LDO
• 100mV Dropout at 300mA Load
• System:
• Digital Bus and Memory
• Power On/Off Button
• Power-On Reset (POR) Option

The MP8770C is a fully integrated, high-frequency, synchronous, rectified, step-down switch-mode converter with internal power MOSFETs. The MP8770C offers a very compact solution to achieve 8A of continuous output current (I_OUT) with excellent load and line regulation. The MP8770C uses synchronous mode operation for higher efficiency across the I_OUT load range. The MP8770C belongs to the MP877x family, which are part-to-part devices with an 8A to 12A I_OUT.

The MP8770C includes the following features:

• Wide 3V to 17V Operating V_IN Range
• V_OUT Adjustable from 0.6V
• 22mΩ/10mΩ Low R_DS(ON) Internal Power MOSFETs
• Fixed 700kHz f_SW
• Forced PWM Operation
• Available in a QFN-16 (3mmx3mm) Package

To learn more about the MP5496 or the MP8770C and learn about additional applications that can use these parts, see the PMIC and step-down converter pages on the MPS website for more information. Table 1 shows other related solutions.

Table 1: Related Solutions