Vicor Corporation · NASDAQ:VICR
Vicor — SC'07 (Reno, NV) (November 2007)
21 slides from Vicor's conference presentation, Nov 14, 2007
Slide 1: From the 380V DC Bus to sub-1V Processors: Efficient Power Conversion Solutions
From the 380V DC Bus to sub-1V Processors: Efficient Power Conversion Solutions SC’07, Reno NV, 11-14-07 SC’07, 11-14-07 Stephen Oliver, V•I Chip Inc. [email protected], +1 978 749 3256
Slide 2: Abstract
Abstract • Without a major architectural review, data centers may consume 100 Billion kWhr by 2011. i Additionally, inefficient power and cooling techniques may be the downfall of Moore’s law. ii • One efficiency improvement proposal iii is for the adoption of high voltage DC distribution to enable
Slide 3: 'Original' Traditional High Power System (IBA)
‘Original’ Traditional High Power System (IBA) AC Rect., EMI 380VDC Regulated 48V DC-DC 12V 1.xV PFC VRx CPU & Inrush HV DC-DC ‘Brick’ AC-DC ‘Silver Box’ Backplane VRx 1.xV Memory Motherboard • AC-48VDC ‘Silver Box’ + 48-12V DC-DC ‘Brick’ + VRM/VRDs to loads • As designed: – ‘High’ efficiency (~65%)
Slide 4: 'Later' Traditional High Power System (12V)
‘Later’ Traditional High Power System (12V) AC Rect., EMI 380VDC Regulated 12V 1.xV PFC VRx CPU & Inrush HV DC-DC AC-DC ‘Silver Box’ VRx 1.xV Memory Motherboard / Blade VRx 1.xV CPU • AC to 12V ‘silver box’ VRx 1.xV Memory • 12V distribution Motherboard / Blade SC’07, 11-14-07 • Synch Buck POLs to l
Slide 5: 12V Bus Concerns
12V Bus Concerns • 12V bus is – Established – Proven – Multi-sourced • 12V Bus is also… – Inefficient • Distribution / connector losses • Low efficiency synch buck POLs (especially for sub-1V loads) due to duty-cycle limitations – Expensive • Large connectors, heavy bus bars, lots of copper, high el
Slide 6: Efficiency Improvements
Efficiency Improvements • Higher voltage bus (380VDC* and / or 48VDC) • Direct 48V-sub 1V conversion • Provide 12V for legacy / low power loads SC’07, 11-14-07 * “DC Power for Improved Datacenter Efficiency”, Ton (Ecos), Fortenbery (EPRI) & Tschudi (Lawrence Berkeley National Labs), January 2007. 6
Slide 7: Revision #1: 380V to the Blade / Motherboard
Revision #1: 380V to the Blade / Motherboard Rect., EMI 380VDC HV AC PFC 12V VRx 1.xV CPU & Inrush BCM AC-HVDC ‘Silver Box’ VRx 1.xV Memory Motherboard / Blade HV 12V 1.xV • Silver Box AC-“post-PFC” 380VDC VRx CPU BCM – Reduces silver box size by >50% • 380V distribution direct to blade VRx 1.xV M
Slide 8: HV DC-DC Conversion
HV DC-DC Conversion • Bus Converter Module (BCM) – Isolated, Unregulated +IN D D D – Voltage transformer / P P P +OUT SAC current multiplier Control D Cres -OUT -IN D D D P=Power Transformer D=Drive Transformer • Sine Amplitude Converter Topology U.S. and Foreign Patents and Patents Pending – ZVS, Z
Slide 9: Revision #2: Direct 48V-to-load conversion
Revision #2: Direct 48V-to-load conversion Rect., EMI 380VDC HV AC PFC PRM VTM 1.xV CPU & Inrush BCM AC-HVDC ‘Silver Box’ 48V PRM VTM 1.xV Memory Motherboard / Blade HV PRM VTM 1.xV CPU BCM 48V PRM VTM 1.xV Memory • Same 380V direct to blade Motherboard / Blade • 380-48V conversion on the blade SC’0
Slide 10: Direct 48V-to-Load Conversion
Direct 48V-to-Load Conversion Pre-Regulator Module (PRM) Voltage Transformation Module (VTM) • Non–isolated, regulator • Isolated, voltage transformer • ZVS Buck – Boost Topology • Sine Amplitude Converter Topology – ZVS, >1MHz switching – ZVS, ZCS, >1Mhz switching frequency • Performance • Performa
Slide 11: Space-saving Powertrain – and no 'Bulk'
Space-saving Powertrain – and no ‘Bulk’ • Direct 48V-to-load conversion with 2 V•I Chips • PRM can be located remotely – Increased space on motherboard / near load – Reduced power dissipation at load • Move POL Capacitance to input of VTM – Reduce capacitance by 1/k^2 – Additional space and cost sav
Slide 12: Transient Response
Transient Response SC’07, 11-14-07 12
Slide 13: Powertrain & Distribution Efficiency
Powertrain & Distribution Efficiency • High conversion efficiency and smallest footprint from 380V-load • Convert 380V to 1.5V, 200A – Total “380V-to-load” Efficiency = 85.2% • 96.5% x 97% x 91% – Total PCB power component footprint = 4.4 in 2 ( 4 chip solution ) • With fewer caps, smaller filters,
Slide 14: Legacy, Low Power Loads
Legacy, Low Power Loads Rect., EMI 380VDC HV AC PFC PRM VTM 1.xV CPU & Inrush BCM AC-HVDC ‘Silver Box’ 48V PRM VTM 1.xV Memory Low BCM 12V VRx xV Power Loads Motherboard / Blade • Step down from 48V to create 12V for legacy / low power loads. • Simple unregulated DC-DC converter SC’07, 11-14-07 Moth
Slide 15: Systems Comparison
Systems Comparison • “System” – Blade / Motherboard Content: • 6 processors (1.0V, 120A ea.) • 6 memory (1.5V, 50A ea.) • Miscellaneous rails (12V, 150W total) – Infrastructure: • 30 blades / Motherboards • Board impedance 1.5mΩ • Rack distribution impedance 2.0mΩ – Operation: • Duty cycle = 65% • A
Slide 16: Efficiency Comparison: AC-Loads
Efficiency Comparison: AC-Loads 86 AC-Load Efficiency (%) 84 82 80 +8.7% pts 78 76 74 72 70 [AC - 12V] - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 12V - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 48V - 1.xV [AC - 48V] - 1.xV • In all cases, adoption of higher voltage improves efficiency • 380V in rack and 48V on blade / motherboard has highest effic
Slide 17: Power Loss (per Blade / Motherboard)
Power Loss (per Blade / Motherboard) Power Loss per Blade (W) 450 400 173 W 350 300 250 200 150 [AC - 12V] - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 12V - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 48V - 1.xV [AC - 48V] - 1.xV SC’07, 11-14-07 • Reduction of 173W per blade / motherboard vs. baseline 17
Slide 18: Utility Savings (per Year per Blade / Motherboard)
Utility Savings ( per Year per Blade / Motherboard ) 225 per Year per Blade ($) 200 Electricity Savings 175 150 125 100 $202 75 50 25 0 [AC - 12V] - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 12V - 1.xV [AC-384V] - 48V - 1.xV [AC - 48V] - 1.xV • 380V in rack and 48V on blade / motherboard has highest saving ($202 per year, p
Slide 19: Conclusion
Conclusion • 12V-only distribution systems have limitations in high power computing applications – Lower load voltages and larger load domain power – Duty cycle limitation of synchronous buck conversion – Increased I2R distribution loss • Higher voltage (380V and / or 48V) distribution greatly reduc
Slide 20: References
References • “Report to Congress on Server and Data Center Energy Efficiency” (p56), U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Program, Andrew Fanara, August 2, 2007 • “The Invisible Crisis in the Data Center: The Economic meltdown of Moore’s Law”. Kenneth Brill, Uptime Institute, 2007 • “DC Power for Improved Datacente
Slide 21: Thank you
Thank you Questions & comments? Visit the V•I Chip booth (#832) for a live 380V-0.8V demo SC’07, 11-14-07