Effects of powering low-voltage, high-current load on components from power design perspective

Increasing demands on computing power and information access have pushed microprocessors to operate at a higher current, higher clock speeds and provide a higher MIPS count. Power supply designers are facing the following challenges as a result of the above trends: (1) higher load currents; (2) lower operating voltages; (3) higher slew rates; (4) higher power densities; and (5) higher efficiencies. These factors have a significant effect on the power supply's components and their applications. This paper presents an overview on components from the power design perspective for low-voltage, high-current applications.