Texas Instruments & CICLON Semiconductor: A powerful combination

Overview

Today’s designers of high-power computing, networking, server systems and power supplies face increasingly stringent ener-gy-efficient requirements. Texas Instruments’ acquisi-tion of CICLON Semicon-ductor Device Corporation expands TI’s ability to improve energy effi-ciency in end-equipment designs.

Adding CICLON’s high-frequency, high-efficiency analog power MOSFETs (metal oxide semicon-ductor field effect tran-sistors) gives system designers access to the most advanced DC/DC power conversion solu-tions available, enabling TI to deliver on the critical customer requirement of highest energy efficiency.

CICLON brings to TI its premier power man-agement innovation called NexFETTM technol-ogy, which combines vertical current flow with a lateral power MOSFET. It provides a low on resistance and requires an extremely low gate charge with industry-standard package outlines—a combination not previously pos-sible with existing silicon platforms.

Complementary technologies

Double the frequency, without a power loss penaltyIn synchronous buck-converter power supplies used in computing, networking and server systems, the power MOSFET is a critical element in driving the DC/DC efficiency. The two main parameters driving power MOSFET efficiency are gate charge and on resistance.

NexFET technology delivers high perfor-mance for both N- and P-channel power MOSFET devices. Designers are able to achieve 90-percent power supply efficien-cies from light to full loads with high output currents and low duty cycles, representing a breakthrough in discrete designs.

System block diagram of TI electronics in a power system design.

90-percent efficiency from light to full load.

When compared to industry standard trench-type power MOSFETs with the same on resistance, NexFET technology delivers less than half the gate charge (Qg). Lower charge means that converters can run at higher frequencies while maintaining the same power loss or run more efficiently at the same frequency.

Such a large reduction in gate charge enables a potential doubling of power sup-ply switching frequency, which delivers a reduction of as much as half the size of the power supply output filter, saving precious board space and reducing component count and ultimately, cost.

Reduced operating temperaturesAn additional benefit of NexFET technology is that not only does this drastic reduction in gate charge enable power MOSFETs to run more efficiently and up to 30-percent cooler, but the integrated circuit driver turning the MOSFET gate on and off runs considerably cooler as well. The end result is as much as 15-percent cooler, improving the overall reliability of the system.

What the future holds

With NexFET technology, TI will be able to offer advanced, complete DC/DC power conversion solutions. TI also plans to opti-mize its controller designs to drive NexFET technology and raise performance to the next level.

SLIY003© 2009 Texas Instruments

For more information, visit: www.ti.com/mosfet

As the whole system becomes further opti-mized, TI will be able to deliver high energy efficiency at even higher frequencies, going beyond the common 1-MHz barrier today for high-current, low-duty cycle type applications.

A great powerTI can now offer equipment designers a tremendous advantage when solving complex power design requirements, giving them quicker access to proven power sup-ply solutions that meet or exceed the most stringent industry regulations. As designers face even greater challenges, now more than ever, the strength of TI’s power portfo-lio will allow customers to resolve them.

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Same power loss, double the frequency.

The platform bar is a trademark of Texas Instruments. NexFET is a trademark of CICLON Semiconductor Device Corporation, an acquisition of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.