Introduction

Hello. I 'm Nami, who is still struggling every day.
In the previous article, I wrote about the basics of FPGA.
Even I can understand the basics of Intel (formerly Altera) products with this.
...... it did not become.

that's right. Because Intel's products are not just FPGAs.
Among them, I would like to introduce Enpirion® in the product lineup this time.

What is Enpirion

Enpirion is a DC-DC converter, a power supply IC that transforms DC voltage.
In other words, it has a completely different role from the FPGA, which is a PLD.
By the way, if you want to know more about DC-DC converters, please see Dophie's article.
You can rely on him for analog things!

In the first place, why does Altera handle power supply ICs as well as FPGAs?
Let me give you some background.
As technology advances, the functionality of various devices mounted on FPGAs has advanced.
Therefore, FPGAs have power pins with various roles to perform many functions (Fig. 1).

Each of these power pins has a different role.
Another series will have more types of power supplies than this...
Furthermore, with the increase in performance, a more precise power supply for the core power supply (VCC) has become necessary (Table 1).

As shown in Table 1, Cyclone® V has higher required accuracy than Cyclone® IV.
However, Enpirion has the following features and solves complicated power supply problems.

Features of Enpirion

Why can Enpirion provide low ripple and high precision power supply?
It depends on three technical features.


1. Technology for realizing high-frequency switching circuits

Enpirion is a switching regulator, which transforms voltage by switching ON/OFF (Fig. 2).

The Enpirion uses a technology called EDMOS in the switch part, enabling high-frequency operation. In other words, it can be turned ON/OFF at high speed.
Thanks to this, low noise can be achieved (Fig. 3).

2. In-house designed high-performance inductor (coil)

The inductors used in Enpirion are selected and designed by the designer from the materials.
As a result, we are able to select and adopt the optimum inductor for each product.
Inductor performance and shape have a huge impact on chip size, footprint, efficiency, noise, and ripple so it's very important.


3. Downsizing by incorporating major components

Enpirion is a key component of DC-DC converters
·controller
・FETs
・Inductor
are compacted by putting them into one chip (Fig. 4).

Therefore, it can be mounted close to the FPGA on the board and the voltage drop due to wiring can be reduced (Fig. 5).

With such features, Enpirion can supply highly accurate voltage.
After all, things that are made carefully have good performance!
I also use handmade guitars and equipment, but the sound is outstandingly good...! (Author is a guitarist)

at the end

This is how Enpirion prepares the environment for FPGA to work.
Considering that the functionality will continue to improve in the future, it will be indispensable.
By the way, Enpirion can of course also be used as a device power supply other than FPGA.
Enpirion Thank you.
Please refer to Poki-senpai's article on how to select the Enpirion model number.

Enpirion🄬 For those considering replacing products

Enpirion🄬 Due to the end of production of the product, we need to consider replacing it. The most suitable power supply module to consider for replacement is Analog Devices' μModule🄬. Please see the following page when considering replacement.