Design and Implementation of a Compact DC- DC Converter for powering FPGAs

Field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) are integrated circuits with different hardware blocks and electronic systems that can be user-programmed for a specific application. The subsystems in an FPGA are under continuous or intermittent operation, that means the power requirement varies with the state of FPGA. The different systems require different low, constant voltage levels for operation. Hence the overall assembly requires a low voltage and high current power supply. The aim of this paper deals with developing a power supply that is cost effective and also largely satisfies the requirements. The proposed design is that of a DC-DC buck topology on the basis of requirements. Simulations of the switching controllers were performed on the online simulator LTSpice. PCBs were designed on Ki-Cad and are four layered. Designing a robust supply based on switching regulators, its hardware realization and testing form the core of the paper. The experimental results using ADP1850 controller are presented in this paper.