TI rolls out DSC for multichannel POL apps

Texas Instruments (TI) has announced the TMS320F28044 digital signal controller (DSC) targeted at multichannel point of load (POL) applications such as telecommunications and networking infrastructure equipment, servers, laptop computers, and industrial equipment. The F28044 runs at 100MHz and can manage up to 16 DC/DC converter channels. At $5 in volume, the F28044 device provides digital loop control and system management for as little as 32 cents per channel. Samples of the F28044 controller are available today with volume production scheduled in Q1 2007.

The F28044 controller is based on the TMS320C28x 32-bit DSP core. It implements up to 16 channels of TI's high-resolution pulse width modulation (HRPWM) technology, each with 150ps resolution. The HRPWM channels enable loop control at switching frequencies over 1MHz. Also integrated into the F28044 device are a high-speed 12bit ADC, 128Kbytes of flash memory and multiple communications ports with support for the PMBus interface.

A single F28044 device can perform all of the loop control, sequencing, system management and communications for up to 16 DC rails. This allows designers to eliminate the analog converters, sequencing chips and microcontrollers used in these applications, resulting in significant cost savings.

The TMS320F28044 eZdsp Starter Kit (TMDXEZS28044) development platform supports the F28044 controller and is available for $495.

- Kenton Williston
DSP DesignLine