Digital PFC Controllers

Smart Technology for Power Supplies

Marvell is the first to market with a DSP-based power factor correction (PFC) controller for AC-DC power supplies that are designed to significantly cut PC energy usage and help reduce the carbon footprint and the need to add more power plants. By integrating more functionality onto a single chip, an average of 20 discrete components traditionally used to build notebook adapters and desktop PC power supplies can be displaced. This allows OEMs to increase product reliability while reducing size and cost.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are more than 10 billion AC-DC power supplies used in computing, telecommunications, and consumer electronics worldwide, an estimated 2.5 billion in the United State alone. More efficient power supply designs could cut U.S. energy usage in half, saving nearly $3 billion and about 24 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

With Marvell’s smart technology for power supplies, the DSP determines the amount of power required for users’ applications with mixed-mode technology that optimizes operation throughout the cycle by changing from Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) to Pulse-Frequency Mode (PFM). This keeps the peak current at the lowest level, improving energy efficiency as well as reducing overall system size. The adaptive drive capability of the DSP intelligently adjusts the driving level to the switch; reducing switching loses, while adaptive adjustments also reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) for a wide range of switches. Adaptive current limits are also automatically adjusted for varying current threshold limits worldwide, which adds system protection and reliability.

Marvell® 88EM8011 for Desktop Power Supplies

Desktop power supplies based on Marvell’s 88EM8011 controller are designed to be more energy efficient as voltage and current are brought into phase, wasting less energy than present technology. The Marvell 88EM8011 reduces Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) to around one percent or less (current technology THD averages 80 percent).

It is also designed to be EPA Energy Star compliant, which requires that 80 percent of the power consumed is actually used by the PC, as well as 80Plus program compliant. 80 PLUS is an electric utility-funded incentive program to integrate more energy-efficient power supplies into desktop computers and servers.

Marvell 88EM8041 for Notebook Adapters

Marvell-based notebook adapters are approximately one-third smaller and lighter than current notebook adapters. With the voltage and current aligned 88EM8041-based notebook adapters are designed to provide significant energy savings. The 88EM8041 delivers improved product quality with THD reduced from more than 80 percent to one percent or less. Marvell’s DSP technology integrates more functionality on a single chip, enabling OEMs to replace up to 20 discrete components in their notebook adapters, reducing design complexity and manufacturing costs while increasing product reliability.

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