Based on digital core controllers, the Ericsson 3E second generation of voltage regulators support 93 PMBus commands and allow designers to monitor and control energy distribution from system level to board level. The 12A BMR462, the 20A BMR463, and the 40A BMR464 voltage regulators have a PMBus digital interface that enables the end-user to configure many aspects of device operation and monitors the I/O voltages. The regulators can also be used with any standard two-wire I2C or SMBus host device. Furthermore, the regulators are compatible with PMBus version 1.1 and includes a SALERT line to reduce bandwidth limitations related to continuous fault monitoring. The interface monitors numerous parameters whereas the SALERT pin monitors fault conditions. The pin also continuously monitors one or more of the power conversion parameters such as input voltage, output voltage, output current, internal junction temperature, switching frequency and duty cycle. The company claims that the voltage regulators enable systems architects to track events at a single POL level. The information and parameters captured during a snapshot are then stored in flash memory readable through the PMBus interface. The number of commands supported by the voltage regulators can be used to create power-module configurations to meet load conditions.
