Miniaturised Integrated Circuit Core Element for Point of Load (PoL) Conversion

¹ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
² STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
³ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
⁴ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
⁵ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
⁶ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
⁷ STMicroelectronics S.p.A., Stradale Primosole n.50, 95121 – Catania, Italy
⁸ European Space Agency, European Space Technology Centre, Keplerlaan 1, P. O. Box 299, 2200 AG, NOORDWIJK, The Netherlands

Email: salvo.pappalardo@st.com
Email: agatino.alessandro@st.com
Email: carmelo.santagati@st.com
Email: carmelo.ardizzone@st.com
Email: lillo.ribellino@st.com
Email: ignazio.mirabella@st.com
Email: orazio.principato@st.com
Email: Ferdinando.Tonicello@esa.int

Abstract

In the last years Point of Load converters (PoL) appeared as a clear bottleneck for the realisation of digital applications for space (to supply FPGA’s, microprocessors, memories, specialised digital circuits, etc.). Many preparatory activities have been conducted by ESA to define a target specification, taking into account promising European technologies and user’s requirements. This paper provides a brief technical description of a PoL IC device designed and manufactured by STMicroelectronics and shows the main test results and performances in order to demonstrate that this integrated solution embeds the most important features that a Point of Load (PoL) device should have. The device is the outcome of a design activity executed in relation to the TRP activity entitled “Miniaturised core element for Point of Load (PoL) conversion” (T703-305EP of the TRP work plan 2011-2013). The realization of this product enables STMicroelectronics to compete in the global world market, since this is a prerequisite for the future availability of PoL products, for their commercial success and their sustainability.

An export licence-free, performing and advanced PoL ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) would be a major achievement.

It would encounter interest from users and would resolve the problem of supplying digital loads with the required accuracy and dynamical performances.