48V Data Center
Overview
Today’s datacenters use an average of 3kW to 5kW per rack to power server, storage, and networking racks. Most are designed to power basic CPUs to operate at high levels of efficiency. Hence, the traditional 12V power architecture has been widely accepted and implemented.
As the demand for cloud computing, AI applications, and high-power processors and accelerators grows, datacenters are evolving to accommodate new high-power requirements. For example, an early AI market supercomputer required 3200W for the entire power system. The second generation’s power demand increased threefold, resulting in 10kW for the entire power system. Since the power lost in distributing high current increases by the square of the current (I2R), more copper must be used in the backplane or wiring harness to control the distribution losses. Ultimately, this limits the power delivery of the system.
In order to meet the industry’s new power requirements, MPS has developed a new power architecture, using a 48V distribution voltage that is capable of a 16x reduction in power distribution losses, in addition to presenting a 48V datacenter solution to address new design challenges.
Figure 1: Traditional 12V Power Distribution
MPS 48V Power Structure
48V Power Structure: MPS's New 48V to 4.8V System
Figure 2: 48V Power Structure – MPS 4V to 6V System
- Total system efficiency is greatly optimized
- First-stage solution: MPS LLC Power Modules
- 10:1 input-to-output ratio
- Offered at various power levels
- Parallel operation
- Second-stage solution: Digital multi-phase controller + low-voltage Intelli-PhaseTM
- Low-voltage Intelli-PhaseTM products use patented technologies to boost performance including efficiency, power density, and overall performance while reducing losses from the power delivery network (PDN)
- Low-voltage Intelli-PhaseTM devices offer MPS’s proprietary footprint, which helps reduce overall solution size
Intelli-PhaseTM is MPS’s state-of-the-art power stage. MPS’s DrMOS uses our monolithic process to drastically improve performance, and incorporates advanced features, including current sense, temperature sense, and fault reporting.
MPS 48V Power Structure: Reutilitize a 12V System
Figure 3: 48V Power Structure – MPS 10V to 15V System
Intelli-Module: Intelli-Module is MPS's latest open-frame power module as part of the second-stage solution. Intelli-Module achieves high power density and optimizes thermal performance in space constraint application.
- Easiest method for 48V migration, as it can reuse an existing 12V system
- First-stage solution: MPS LLC Power Modules, 4:1 input-to-output ratio or 4:1 STC Topology
- Second-stage solution: Digital multi-phase controller + Intelli-Module or Intelli-PhaseTM
- Intelli-PhaseTM family offers continuous current ratings up to 90A per IC
- Intelli-PhaseTM devices are offered in a common footprint or an MPS proprietary footprint MPS 48V Power Structure
- Intelli-Module offers continuous current ratings up to 120A
Topologies for 48V-to-12V Conversion
Two commonly seen topologies for 48V-to-12V conversion are LLC and STC. An LLC (inductor-inductor-capacitor) is a resonant topology comprised of two inductors and one capacitor. It allows for zero-current switching of the main switches, thereby dramatically lowering switching losses and boosting efficiency. See below for example of an LLC resonant converter.
An STC (switched-tank capacitor) is another resonant topology that primarily uses a network of capacitors to step down from a 48V input to 12V output. See example below of an STC converter.
Figure 4: LLC Converter
Figure 5: STC Converter
| LLC and STC Comparison | |
|---|---|
| LLC | STC |
| Good for any current/power application | Good for applications below 500W |
|
Overall performance: - High power density - Low PDN loss - Efficiency when using a 10:1 power |
Overall performance: - Lower power density - Higher PDN loss - Comparable efficiency to a 4:1 LLC power module |
| Scalable and interchangeable | Well-understood topology |
| Smaller overall solution size | Larger overall solution size |
| LLC and STC Comparison |
|---|
| LLC |
| Good for any current/power application |
|
Overall performance: - High power density - Low PDN loss - Efficiency when using a 10:1 power |
| Scalable and interchangeable |
| Smaller overall solution size |
| STC |
| Good for applications below 500W |
|
Overall performance: - Lower power density - Higher PDN loss - Comparable efficiency to a 4:1 LLC |
| Well-understood topology |
| Larger overall solution size |
First-Stage Solution: Power Modules and Components
MPC1100A-54 - High-efficiency, Non-Isolated, Fixed-Ratio Digital DC/DC 300W Power Module
The MPC1100A-54 is an open-frame digital DC/DC power module with continuous power, up to 300W. This module accepts up to a 60V input, and is configured in a 10:1 input-to-output ratio. It offers a digital controller with multiple-time programmability (MTP), which can be easily configured to quickly bring up the system and nimbly adapt to system requirements.
Figure 6: MPC1100A-54-xxxx
MPC11057-54-0750 - High-efficiency, Non-Isolated, Fixed-Ratio Digital DC/DC 750W Power Module
The MPC11057-54-0750 is an open-frame digital DC/DC power module with continuous power, up to 750W. This module accepts up to a 60V input, and is configured in a 10:1 input-to-output ratio. It offers a digital controller with multiple-time programmability (MTP), which can be easily configured to quickly bring up the system and nimbly adapt to system requirements.
Figure 8: MPC11057-54-0750-xxxx
MPC12106-54-0750 - High-efficiency, Non-Isolated, Fixed-Ratio Digital DC/DC 750W Power Module
The MPC12106-54-0750 is an open-frame digital DC/DC power module with continuous power, up to 750W. This module accepts up to a 60V input, and is configured in a 4:1 input-to-output ratio. It offers a digital controller with multiple-time programmability (MTP), which can be easily configured to quickly bring up the system and nimbly adapt to system requirements.
| 48V Module Components | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Product | Part Number | Part Description | Features |
| LLC Controller |
Digital LLC Controller with PMBus/I2C Interface |
Smart PWM for soft switching PMbus Compliant with Built-in NVM Voltage/temperature sensing and protection |
|
|
STC Controller |
MP2982 |
Digital STC Controller with PMBus/I2C Interface |
Smart PWM for soft switching PMbus Compliant with Built-in NVM Voltage/temperature sensing and protection |
| Synchronous Rectifiers |
18V, 50A Dual-Channel, High-Current Synchronous Rectifier |
Current sensing and temperature sensing Frequency tracking with MPS LLC controller Suitable for most resonant circuit |
|
|
GaN/MOSFET Drivers |
Half Bridge GaN/MOSFET Driver |
Internal bootstrap supply voltage clamping HS & LS can be floating and operate up to 100VDC Short propagation delay |
|
| 48V Module Components | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Product | LLC Controller | ||
| Part Number | |||
| Part Description | Digital LLC Controller with PMBus/I2C Interface |
||
| Features | Smart PWM for soft switching PMbus Compliant with Built-in NVM Voltage/temperature sensing and protection |
||
| Type of Product | STC Controller | ||
| Part Number | MP2982 |
||
| Part Description | Digital STC Controller with PMBus/I2C Interface |
||
| Features |
Smart PWM for soft switching PMbus Compliant with Built-in NVM Voltage/temperature sensing and protection |
||
| Type of Product | Synchronous Rectifiers | ||
| Part Number | |||
| Part Description | 18V, 50A Dual-Channel, High-Current Synchronous Rectifier |
||
| Features | Current sensing and temperature sensing Frequency tracking with MPS LLC controller Suitable for most resonant circuit |
||
| Type of Product | GaN/MOSFET Drivers | ||
| Part Number | |||
| Part Description |
Half Bridge GaN/MOSFET Driver |
||
| Features |
Internal bootstrap supply voltage clamping HS & LS can be floating and operate up to 100VDC Short propagation delay |
||
Second-Stage Solution: Digital Multi-Phase Controller + Intelli-PhaseTM or Intelli-Module
MPS has a robust product portfolio for digital multi-phase controllers and Intelli-PhaseTM solutions. For more information, visit Server & Telecom.
Figure 9: Second-Stage Digital Multi-Phase Controller + Intelli-PhaseTM Block Diagram
- Digital Multi-Phase Controller Features:
- Patented Constant-On-Time (COT) Control
- Multiple Loops, Flexible Phase Assignment
- Interface Options: SVIC, SVI2/3, OVR, or AVSBus and PMBus
- Fault Handling and Telemetry Capabilities
- Intelli-Phase Features:
- Family of Device Ranges from 10A to 90A
- Wide fsw Range: Balance between Transient and Efficiency
- Built-In ZCD, OCP, NOCP, OTP, and SCP
- Minimal External Components
- Intelli-Module Features:
- High Power Density in Space-constrained Applications
- Flexible Output Assignment
- Support Parallel Operation for Higher Power Delivery
| Product Info. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Structure | Type of Product | Part Number | Part Description |
| 12V & MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture | Digital multi-phase controller |
MP2882 (contact for sample) MP2973 (contact for sample) |
Single-loop, 10-phase multi-phase controller Dual-loop, 16-phase digiatal mult-phase controller Dual-loop, 12-phase digital multi-phase controller |
|
12V architecture |
Intelli-PhaseTM Intelli-Module |
MP87006 (contact for sample) |
16V, 70A Intelli-Phase in 5mmx6mm package 16V, 60A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package 16V, 90A Intelli-Phase in 4mmx6mm package 16V, 120A Intelli-Module in 9mmx10mm footprint 16V,130A Intelli-Module in 9mmx10mm footprint |
| MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture | Intelli-PhaseTM |
MP86976 (contact for sample) |
12V, 60A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package 7V, 70A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package |
| Product Info. | |
|---|---|
| Power Structure | 12V legacy & MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture |
| Type of Product | Part Description |
| Digital multi-phase controller |
Single-loop, 10-phase multi-phase controller MP2882 Dual-loop, 16-phase digiatal mult-phase controller MP2973 Dual-loop, 12-phase digital multi-phase controller |
| Power Structure | 12V legacy architecture |
| Type of Product | Part Description |
|
Intelli-PhaseTM Intelli-Module |
16V, 70A Intelli-Phase in 5mmx6mm package 16V, 60A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package MP87006 16V, 90A Intelli-Phase in 4mmx6mm package 16V, 120A Intelli-Module in 9mmx10mm footprint 16V,130A Intelli-Module in 9mmx10mm footprint |
| Power Structure | MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture |
| Type of Product | Part Description |
| Intelli-PhaseTM |
MP86972 12V, 60A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package MP86976 7V, 70A Intelli-Phase in 3mmx6mm package |
MPS 48V Datacenter Solutions
- Whether the ultimate decision is to:
- Completely redesign using a 48V power architecture,
- Migrate from a 12V to a 48V power architecture, or
- Reutilize an existing 12V architecture
MPS has developed a comprehensive product portfolio to address the industry’s new, demanding power requirements. Our 48V datacenter solution was designed to resolve power distribution loss and to maintain high power density and efficiency in space-constrained environments. The table below summarizes a 48V power structure that is a 600W, 20-phase multi-phase power design employing different topologies.
| Product Info. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Structure | Topology | Total size (mm2) | Power Density (W/in3) | PDN Resistance (µΩ) | PDN Loss @600W (W) | First-Stage Efficiency @600W | Second-Stage Efficiency @600W | Total Efficiency@600W (including PDN loss) |
| 12V architecture | 4:1 LLC+ 20-phase 5mmx6mm Intelli-PhaseTM |
4240 |
91.3 |
200 |
72 |
48V to 12V: 98.0% |
12V to 0.8V: 92.0% |
48V to 0.8V: 81.4% |
| MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture | 10:1 LLC+ 20-phase 3mmx6mm Intelli-PhaseTM |
1972 |
196.3 |
50 |
18 |
48V to 4.8V: 97.4% |
4.8V to 0.8V: 91.1% |
48V to 0.8V: 86.4% |
| Product Info. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Structure | 12V legacy architecture | MPS's new 4V to 6V architecture | ||||||
| Topology | 4:1 LLC+ 20-phase 5mmx6mm Intelli-PhaseTM | 10:1 LLC+ 20-phase 3mmx6mm Intelli-PhaseTM | ||||||
| Total size (mm2) |
4240 |
1972 |
||||||
| Power Density (W/in3) |
91.3 |
196.3 |
||||||
| PDN Resistance (µΩ) |
200 |
50 |
||||||
| PDN Loss @600W (W) |
72 |
18 |
||||||
| First-Stage Efficiency @600W |
48V to 12V: 98.0% |
48V to 4.8V: 97.4% |
||||||
| Second-Stage Efficiency @600W |
12V to 0.8V: 92.0% |
48V to 0.8V: 91.1% |
||||||
| Total Efficiency@600W (including PDN loss) |
2V to 0.8V: 81.4% |
48V to 0.8V: 86.4% |
||||||
More MPS Products for 48V Datacenter Solutions
In addition to servicing high-current and high-power applications, MPS has an extensive product portfolio that includes point-of-load (PoL) step-down converters and protection devices, such as Intelli-Fuse, to fulfill a greater range of power applications needs for 48V datacenter design.
Figure 10: MPS Power Products for 48V Datacenter Design
| Product Info. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Product | Part Number | Part Description |
| Point-of-load (PoL) step-down converter |
MP9940B (contact for sample) |
16v, 30A, scalable, digital, synchronous step-down converter with PMBus Digital, 15A, SVID step-down converter with PMBus for VR13 and IMVP8/9 16V, 12A/20A, high-efficiency, sychronous step-down converter with adjustable current limi, programmable frequency, and voltage tracking 16V, 6A, high-efficiency, sychronous step-down converter with adjustable current limit |
| Intelli-Fuse |
60V, 15A, 7mΩ hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution 16V, 50A, 1mΩ RDS(ON) hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution 16V, 50A, 1.1mΩ hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution with PMBus |
|
| Product Info. | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of Product | Part Description | |
| Point-of-load (PoL) step-down converter |
16v, 30A, scalable, digital, synchronous step-down converter with PMBus MP9940B Digital, 15A, SVID step-down converter with PMBus for VR13 and IMVP8/9 16V, 12A/20A, high-efficiency, sychronous step-down converter with adjustable current limi, programmable frequency, and voltage tracking 16V, 6A, high-efficiency, sychronous step-down converter with adjustable current limit |
|
| Intelli-Fuse |
MP5048 60V, 15A, 7mΩ hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution 16V, 50A, 1mΩ RDS(ON) hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution 16V, 50A, 1.1mΩ hot-swap Intelli-Fuse solution with PMBus |
|
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