Exar Launches XRP7724; the Next Generation PowerXR (tm) Programmable Power Platform

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC) -- Exar Corporation (Nasdaq: EXAR) added a significant new controller to its PowerXR family of programmable power system ICs. The XRP7724 is a highly integrated programmable power controller with the industry's most advanced design capabilities, robust performance and the most flexible design environment in the industry. With expanded voltage and current ranges, SMBus compliant I2C interface, and independently controlled channel frequencies, the XRP7724 is flexible enough to handle the most demanding applications spanning mobile to industrial to high-performance computing. Our patented Digital Pulse Frequency Modulation (DPFM) technology lowers standby current enabling system designers to meet strict green power requirements.  

"The XRP7724 dramatically expands the capabilities of the PowerXR family giving system architects increased design options, especially for the growing market of sophisticated mobile applications," said Dave Matteucci, division vice president, Power Product Line. "PowerXR products clearly address customer requirements, offering the valuable benefits of programmable power in a cost-effective package."

PowerXR ICs integrate the best of both worlds; the low cost and flexibility of digital power control as well as the robust power capabilities of high performance analog power switchers. PowerXR products reduce development time from weeks to hours enabling a significant time-to-market advantage for system design engineers. Using the PowerArchitect™ design tool, engineers can easily modify voltage, current, GPIO or other parameters in seconds. Engineers can tweak design parameters throughout the design cycle, qualification into final test, and even when deployed in the field.

Key Product Features

The XRP7724 offers a wide input voltage range (4.75V to 25V), and output range (0.6V to 5.1V), with a built-in Low-Dropout regulator (LDO) for standby power, power sequencing capability, and integrated gate drivers. These power system ICs contain patented Digital Pulse Frequency Modulator (DPFM) with ultrasonic mode. The ICs contain an integrated LDO regulator that provides a fifth voltage supply, which can also be employed as a standby-voltage source. The devices contain integrated gate drivers for the switching outputs and up to six General Purpose Input/Output (GPIO) pins. Exar's PowerArchitect™ software design tool enables designers to intelligently configure the power supply's voltage setting and current thresholds, fault monitoring and response, soft start and active shutdown timing, and channel sequencing, phase shift management, and loop response, amongst other features. The ICs use a digital PID (proportional, integral, differential) control algorithm that performs full-digital loop control at switching frequencies to 1.2 MHz.

About PowerXR

Exar's PowerXR products combine digital power management/control technology with high-performance analog circuitry to create a completely new ProgrammablePower™ technology.  Also known as, FPPSTM (Field Programmable Power Supply) technology, PowerXR offers a fundamentally new approach to power, enabling system architects to replace cumbersome discrete power solutions in a wide cross-section of end products using embedded processors, ASICs, or SOCs. PowerXR has demonstrated that it significantly reduces time-to-market, lowers design risk, and increases performance – all at the cost of traditional analog solutions.

PowerXR leverages process technology and innovative IP to deliver a (re)configurable power system with high-current voltage rails, an LDO, gate drivers, managers, temperature sensors, supervisor circuitry – in total replacing up to 13 discrete analog ICs.  

Additional Information, Pricing, and Availability

Samples of the XRP7724 are available now. Offered in a RoHS compliant, "green"/halogen free 44 pin TQFN package respectively operating within the -40 degrees C to +125 degrees C temperature range. The XRP7724 is priced at $6.50 in 1K piece quantities. Additional information on Exar's Digital Power solutions can be found at www.exar.com/powerxr or by e-mailing [email protected].

About Exar

Exar Corporation delivers highly differentiated silicon, software and subsystem solutions for industrial, datacom and storage applications. For nearly 40 years, Exar's comprehensive knowledge of end-user markets along with the underlying analog, mixed signal and digital technology has enabled innovative solutions that meet the needs of the evolving connected world. Exar's product portfolio includes power management and interface components, communications products, storage optimization solutions, network security and applied service processors. Exar has locations worldwide providing real-time customer support to drive rapid product development. For more information about Exar, visit: http://www.exar.com.

SOURCE Exar Corporation