Video: PDN Basics For Power Designers (Part 1): What’s A PDN?

Focus:

In modern electronic systems, the performance of FPGAs, CPUs, and other high-speed logic devices depends on the power distribution networks or PDNs that power these devices. Within these PDNs, power converters in the form of point-of-load regulators (POLs), voltage regulator modules (VRMs), dc-dc converters, and linear regulators play a crucial role. Yet, many engineers who develop these power converters may be unfamiliar with PDN concepts and how power converters affect PDN and system performance. In this three-part video series, the presenter introduces three basic PDN concepts that developers of board-level power solutions need to understand. In this 4-min. part 1 video, the PDN is defined and the presenter explains why PDNs matter, particularly to developers of POLs and VRMs. The output impedance of the POLs and VRMs is identified as the key characteristic affecting PDN performance.

What you’ll learn:

• How to understand concepts such as power distribution networks and system-level power integrity as they relate to power converter design

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Author & Publication:

Steve Sandler, Picotest, Phoeniz, Ariz., How2Power Today, Sep 15 2014

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