48V Data Center Solutions

• 48V Solution
• 48V Legacy Solution
• First-Stage Solution
• Second-Stage Solution
• More 48V Datacenter Products

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

MPS 48V Power Structure: Reutilitize a 12V Legacy System

Figure 3: 48V Power Structure – MPS 10V to 5V System

• 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-Phase^TM
  • As part of the MPS portfolio, the Intelli-Phase^TM family offers continuous current ratings up to 90A
  • Intelli-Phase^TM devices are offered in a common footprint or an MPS proprietary footprint MPS 48V Power Structure

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

First-Stage Solution: Power Modules

MPC1100-54 - High-efficiency, Non-Isolated, Fixed-Ratio Digital DC/DC 300W Power Module

The MPC1100-54 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: MPC1100-54-xxxx

MPC1102-54 - High-efficiency, Non-Isolated, Fixed-Ratio Digital DC/DC 500W Power Module

The MPC1102-54 is an open-frame digital DC/DC power module with continuous power, up to 500W.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 7: MPC1102-54-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.

Second-Stage Solution: Digital Multi-Phase Controller + Intelli-Phase^TM

MPS has a robust product portfolio for digital multi-phase controllers and Intelli-Phase^TM solutions. For more information, visit Server & Telecom.

Figure 9: Second-Stage Digital Multi-Phase Controller + Intelli-PhaseTM Block Diagram

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 legacy 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.

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

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48V-1V for CPU, SoC or ASIC power controller.