Power Solutions for DDR2 Notebook PCs

TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Overview
Technical Note
Power Solutions for DDR2 Notebook PCs
In cooperation with
Overview
This technical note provides general guidelines for designing power circuitry for DDR2
memory. It includes the DDR2 voltage requirements and encompasses a sample reference design focused on the Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) TPS51116, a complete
DDR2 memory power solution that includes a synchronous buck controller, 3A linear
dropout regulator (LDO), and buffered references.
DDR2 Advantages for Notebooks
DDR2 memory is an excellent solution for notebook computers. Aside from faster
speeds, its greatest advantage over older memory technologies is its reduced power
consumption, which results in cooler operating temperatures and extended battery life
(see Figure 1 on page 2).
The reduced power consumption is realized through a number of design features,
including lower operating voltages, reduced page sizes, and 4n-prefetch support. DDR2
memory uses a low operating voltage of only VDD = VDDQ = 1.8V and supports an
SSTL_18 I/O interface. The reduced page sizes minimize the activation current, and the
4n-prefetch architecture allows the device core to run at a slower frequency while
driving an ultra-fast data rate (currently up to 1066 MT/s/b).
Another advantage of DDR2 memory in notebooks is higher density in the same space;
aside from the voltage-key placement and pinout change, the DDR2 SODIMM uses the
same 200-pin socket as DDR.
At the device level, DDR2 components are manufactured at individual memory densities
up to 2Gb (at the component level, this reflects a 128Mb x 16 or 256Mb x 8 device), which
means DDR2 supports a 4GB channel with just 2 slots.
Also new with DDR2 memory is on-die termination (ODT), which has a significant
impact on signal quality and power dissipation. ODT gives the controller more effective
management of termination to the high-speed signals where and when it is needed.
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Micron Technology, Inc., reserves the right to change products or specifications without notice.
©2004 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.
Products and specifications discussed herein are for evaluation and reference purposes only and are subject to change by
Micron without notice. Products are only warranted by Micron to meet Micron’s production data sheet specifications. All
information discussed herein is provided on an “as is” basis, without warranties of any kind. Products and specifications
discussed herein are subject to change by Micron without notice.
TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
DDR2 Advantages for Notebooks
Figure 1:
Power Performance Curves on SDR, DDR, and DDR2
3.5
3.0
2.5
Watts*
2.0
1.5
SDR (PC133)
DDR (DDR333)
1.0
DDR2 (DDR2-533)
0.5
0.0
*Includes DRAM core power only
Dual-rank, 256Mb (16 Meg x 16)-based SODIMMs,
utilizing CKE on unused rank with 50% page hits
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Bandwidth
DDR2 Notebook Assumptions
JEDEC has defined 4 standardized small outline, dual in-line memory modules
(SODIMMs) that include single- and dual-rank DIMMs utilizing either x16 or x8 devices.
All 4 configurations are 64-bit-wide unbuffered SODIMMs with predefined electrical
and mechanical specifications.
This technical note assumes that the notebook system designer will utilize a dual
memory channel with 2 slots, 1 per channel (see Figure 2 on page 3). For a dual-channel,
2-slot system, both the address and command lines terminate at VTT through a resistor.
All the high-speed data strobes and data signals utilize localized ODT. On the module,
the differential clock pairs (CK/CK#) are differentially terminated.
This combination makes for a low-cost, low-power application that maximizes battery
life while maintaining a small size and high performance.
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
DDR2 Voltage Requirements
DDR2 Voltage Requirements
One challenge in designing a DDR2 system is meeting the strict power requirements and
predefined power-up and initialization sequences as defined by JEDEC (JESD79-2 DDR2
SDRAM Specification). Therefore, it is critical that the initial power ramps be controlled
to meet specifications. In addition, both the termination voltage (VTT ) and reference
voltage (VREF) must maintain their respected relationships to VDD at all times. The
following sections provide detailed voltage requirements for DDR2 notebook systems.
Figure 2:
Functional Block Diagram of a Dual-Channel, 2-Slot DDR2 Notebook
Power Good
Main Controller (CPU)
S3
S5
SODIMM 1
SODIMM 2
ODT Circuit
ODT Circuit
VDDQ
VDDQ
sw1
sw1
Data/Strobes
Data/Strobes
DDR2
Memory
Controller
R2
VSSQ
2 Clock Pairs
R2
VSSQ
(SSTL_18 I/O)
Address/Command
and Control Lines
2 Clock Pairs
Address/Command
and Control Lines
VREF
VDDSPD
Rt
VTT
R1
Battery (Adaptor)
R1
Rt
VTT
VDD (VDD, VDDQ, VDDL)
TI Voltage Controller (TPS51116)
4.5V–28V(DC)
VSS
(VSS, VSSQ, VSSL, VSSSPD)
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
DDR2 Voltage Requirements
Supply
VDD (VDD, VDDL, VDDQ)
The DDR2 device requires a single power source for primary supply voltages in order to
ensure that all voltage levels track each other, especially during the power ramp. At the
module level, VDD (device core), VDDL (device DLL), and VDDQ (device I/O) share a single
power plane with the interconnecting pins labeled as VDD. Likewise, VSS, VSSL, and VSSQ
share a common ground plane labeled as VSS.
The memory supply voltage is specified as VDD = VDDQ = 1.8V with a DC tolerance of
±100mV. DC is defined as any signal ≤20 MHz. At the initial power-up, all supply power
should be stable and meet specification within ≤10ms.
The amount of current each module consumes depends on the density and speed of the
module, number of ranks, and, most importantly, the usage conditions. For example, to
build a high-density, dual-rank module using (x8) DRAMs, 16 individual devices are
required. A system utilizing 2 of these modules and running a heavy-use condition may
consume up to 7W–8W. However, the same system, using 1 lower-density, dual-rank
module using (x16) DRAMs, will have only 8 discrete components each, and, under
moderate use conditions, might consume a total of only 1.5W–2W.
Micron’s Web site has a dedicated technical note, “TN-47-04: Calculating Memory
System Power for DDR2,” and a custom DDR2 power calculator that provide additional
information about how to estimate actual module power usage at
www.micron.com/systemcalc.
VREF
Another key supply voltage is the input reference voltage (VREF). All DDR2 input
receivers are calibrated to operate within the specified VREF input levels. For proper
device operation, it is critical that the VREF input is free from excess noise or voltage variations. Any degrading of the VREF input voltage directly affects the setup and hold times
of the DDR2 device.
VREF is expected to equal VDDQ/2 of the transmitting device and to track variations in the
DC level of the same. Peak-to-peak noise (non-common mode) on VREF may not exceed
±1% of the DC value. Peak-to-peak AC noise on VREF must not exceed ±2% of VREF(DC).
AC noise is defined as any noise over 20 MHz in frequency. There is virtually no current
draw on the DDR2 VREF pin; only leakage current is present (less than 5µA per DRAM
component).
Figure 3 on page 5 shows the industry-standard voltage specifications and tracking
requirements for VREF.
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
DDR2 Voltage Requirements
Figure 3:
Required VREF Voltage Relationships
1.00
0.98
0.96
0.94
V REF (V)
0.92
0.9
0.88
VREF(AC)max = VDDQ x 0.52
VREF(DC)max = VDDQ x 0.51
0.86
VREF,nom* = VDDQ/2
VREF(DC)min = VDDQ x 0.49
0.84
VREF(AC)min = VDDQ x 0.48
0.82
*VREF should track variations in VDDQ and VREF(AC)
and must always be within 1% of VREF(DC)
0.80
1.7V
1.8V
1.9V
VDDQ (V)
VTT
DDR2 memory is optimized for stub-series terminated logic at 1.8V (SSTL_18) operation. The address, command, and control lines require system-level termination to a
midpoint voltage. This midpoint voltage is called VTT (or the I/O termination voltage).
Having the termination sit at midpoint ensures symmetry for switching times. It is
important that VTT tracks any variation in the DC levels of VREF. By specification, at all
times VTT must equal VREF ±40mV. The termination voltage (VTT ) is supplied directly to
the motherboard but not to the module. See Figure 4 on page 6 for logic levels of a properly terminated SSTL_18 signal.
ODT (On-Die Termination)
As previously mentioned, DDR2’s high-speed, bidirectional signals (data and strobes)
are uniquely terminated with on-die termination (ODT). This new feature allows for
optimal signal quality (see Figure 5 on page 6) by dynamically controlling the exact
termination value where and when it is needed. For example, the ideal placement for
termination is at the end of the active signal trace. So, when WRITING to SODIMM1, the
memory controller dynamically disables the ODT function on SODIMM2 and the
memory controller (both buses) and activates the ODT circuitry on SODIMM1 (at the
end of the active transmission line). Likewise, during a READ from either SODIMM, the
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
DDR2 Voltage Requirements
memory controller dynamically disables the ODT circuitry at both SODIMM locations
and enables ODT circuitry on the active bus at the memory controller. ODT facilitates a
much-simpler board design that uses fewer components and thereby costs less.
ODT also allows better thermal and power-management control. For example, during
DRAM inactive times, most memory controllers completely disable the termination in
order to conserve power. ODT can accomplish this dynamically.
Figure 4:
SSTL_18 Single-Ended Input-Logic Levels
1150mV
VIH(AC)
1025mV
VIH(DC)
936mV
918mV
900mV
882mV
864mV
VREF - DC Error
VREF - AC Noise
775mV
VIL(DC)
650mV
VIL(AC)
VREF + AC Noise
VREF + DC Error
Note: Numbers in diagram reflect nominal values (VDD = VDDQ = 1.8V)
Figure 5:
Functional Block Diagram of ODT
Output
Driver
DQ Pins
VDDQ
2 RTT
RC VR
2 RTT
VSSQ
ODT Pin
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C ontrol
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Power Management for Notebooks with Micron DDR2 and TI
VDDSPD
Although not utilized for the DRAM, there is one additional power requirement for the
SODIMM—the power for the serial present detect (SPD) EEPROM, which holds the
module operating parameters. This voltage (VDDSPD) has a wide range tolerance, from
+1.7V to +3.6V. In its worst case, the current draw of this pin should be no more than
3mA–4mA.
Power Management for Notebooks with Micron DDR2 and TI TPS51116
Designers who use Micron's DDR2 memory modules can now incorporate TI’s
TPS51116, an integrated power-management solution that combines a DC/DC currentmode switching controller with a 3A sink/source linear dropout regulator (LDO). This
highly integrated device significantly reduces the number of external components typically required to support all the power management for DDR2 memory systems, making
the TPS51116 easy to use while offering a smaller total-solution size and lower totalsolution cost, without sacrificing performance.
TPS51116: A Solution for Complete DDR2 Power Management
Figure 6 on page 8 shows a typical application schematic for the TPS51116 and how it
integrates into the complete DDR2 power-management solution with:
• Synchronous current mode DC/DC controller to power VDD
• Buffered reference to provide VREF (VREF tracks one-half VDD)
• 3A sink/source LDO to power VTT (VTT tracks VREF)
• S3/S5 sleep-state controls
This high-level integration simplifies the design of the power-management segment of
DDR2 memory. This places the burden on the TPS51116 to meet the industry-standard
specifications and the proper management of S3 and S5 states.
The synchronous current mode DC/DC controller is used to power VDD/VDDQ. Implementing the power supply requires 2 external NFETs, in addition to an inductor and
input/output capacitors. This output is used to power DDR2 memory’s VDD/VDDQ and is
able to achieve high efficiency during wide load variation—expected to range from
10mA to 10A.
The output of TPS51116’s switcher is internally divided down by one half and is used to
generate VREF. The VREF output tracks changes in VDD/VDDQ with a high level of accuracy, achieved by the precisely matched internal-resistor divider. VREF is buffered,
helping increase its immunity to noise and changes in load. This is critical in maintaining the stringent VREF to VDDQ tracking requirements of the DDR2 device.
The final-output-voltage rails required for DDR2 is for VTT. The power for this rail comes
from the LDO segment of the TPS51116. The LDO supports 3A peak current and has 1.5A
continuous current capabilities.
This LDO can sink/source current and meet the industry-standard specifications with
only 2x10uF ceramic output capacitors. DDR2 allows the use of an LDO to power termination (VTT ) because of the reduction in required current, resulting from the implementation of ODT.
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Line Regulation, Load Regulation, and Transient Response
Figure 6:
Typical Application Circuit for TPS51116
VIN
C5
ceramic
2x10uF
TPS51116
VTT
GND
VREF
C3
ceramic
2x10uF
C4
ceramic
0.033uF
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
VBST 20
VLDOIN
DRVH 19
VTT
LL 18
VTT GND
DRVL 17
VTT SNS
PGND 16
GND
CS 15
MODE
V5IN 14
VTTREF
PGOOD 13
COMP
S5 12
VDDQ SNS
S3 11
VDDQ SET
M1
C1
ceramic
0.1uF
L1
1.1uF
M2
VDD
C8
SP-CAP
2x150uF
R1
GND
R2
C2
ceramic
4.7uF
5V_IN
GND
GND
R1 = 5.11K W
R2 = 100K W
M1 = IRF7821
M2 = IRF7832
S3
S5
PGOOD
Line Regulation, Load Regulation, and Transient Response
DDR2 memory requires industry-standard power specifications. The voltage tolerances
that need to be supported throughout the changes in input voltage (line regulation),
output current (load regulation), and transient response are defined as:
• VDDQ = 1.8V ±100mV
• VREF = 0.49 VDDQ/0.51 VDDQ
• VTT = VREF ±40mV
Line regulation ensures that the tolerances are maintained when the input voltage
changes. Figure 7 on page 9 shows as the input voltage changes from 4V to 28V, VDDQ
changes by only a few millivolts (spec is ±100mV). VREF tracks VDDQ/2, and there is a
difference of only about 10mV between VTT and VREF (spec is ±40mV).
Load regulation and transient response ensures the tolerances are maintained when the
output current changes. Load regulation is a static test condition, while transient
response is a dynamic test condition.
Figure 8 on page 9 shows VDDQ with a static load change from 0A to 10A on VDDQ, with
its output voltage <35mV from 1.8V (specification is ±100mV). In Figure 9 on page 10,
the load changes from -1.5A to 1.5A on VTT, and VDDQ is about 25mV from 1.8V (specification is ±100mV), with VTT–VREF near ±20mV (specification is VREF ±40mV).
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Line Regulation, Load Regulation, and Transient Response
Figure 7:
Line Regulation for All 3 Outputs
VDDQ/2
VREF
VTT
0.915
VOUT (V)*
0.910
0.905
0.900
0.895
0.890
0
4
8
12
16
20
24
28
32
VIN (V)
* Test was performed with a 7A load on VDDQ/2 and a 0.3A load VTT
Load Regulation VDDQ Only (VIN = 12V)
Volts
Figure 8:
1.850
1.845
1.840
1.835
1.830
1.825
1.820
1.815
1.810
VDDQ
0
2
4
6
8
10
Output Current (A)
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Line Regulation, Load Regulation, and Transient Response
Figure 9:
Transient Response (VIN = 12V)
Tek Stop: 2.50MS/s
1
VDDQ (25mV)
32
VREF
VTT
4
VTT load
(-1.5A to 1.5A)
Ch1
Ch3
50.0mV Ch2
20.0m V Ch4
20.0mV M
1.00 V
20.0uS Ch4
1.54V
Note: VTT–VREF (+/-20mV)
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
TPS51116 Manages the Critical Relationship Between VTT/VREF
TPS51116 Manages the Critical Relationship Between VTT/VREF and VDDQ
TI’s TPS51116 has a very important role in managing notebook sleep-state functions. For
DDR2 memory, it is critical during both start-up and shutdown that VDDQ is always
higher than VTT/VREF. If VTT/VREF is greater than VDDQ + 0.3V, the DDR2 memory could
latch up.
TPS51116’s integrated sleep-state functions help prevent this condition—the S3 and S5
pins on the TPS51116 are connected to the S3 and S4/S5 control signals in the notebook
computer (Figure 2 on page 3), enabling the S3 and S5 pins to be used to manage all
sleep-state functions:
• S0 = Full On
• S3 = Suspend-to-RAM (STR)
• S4/S5 = Suspend-to-Disk (STD)/Soft Off
Table 1 summarizes how the TPS51116 handles the sleep-state modes.
When transitioning from an S4/S5 state (STD) to S0 (Full On), S5 will go HIGH first, and
then S3 will go HIGH. Figure 10 on page 12 shows that when S5 goes HIGH, VDDQ turns
on, and when S3 goes HIGH, VTT will turn on. During start-up, VTT cannot turn on until a
VDDQ voltage exists; as soon as VDDQ voltage turns on, the VTT voltage will track VDDQ.
Therefore, during start-up, VDDQ will always be greater than VTT.
Table 1:
S3 and S5 TPS51116 Input and Output Parameters
Inputs
State
Status
S0
S3
S4/S5
Full On
Suspend-to-RAM (STR)
Suspend-to-Disk (STD)/Soft Off
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Outputs
S3
S5
HIGH
LOW
LOW
HIGH
HIGH
LOW
11
VDDQ
VREF
VTT
On
On
On
On
On
Off (High-Z)
Off (Discharge) Off (Discharge) Off (Discharge)
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
TPS51116 Manages the Critical Relationship Between VTT/VREF
Figure 10:
Full-On Power Ramp
Tek Stop: 10.kS/s
VDDQ
VTT
21
S5
3
S3
4
Ch1
Ch3
1.00 V Ch2
5.00 V Ch4
500mV
5.00V
M
5.00ms Ch2
680mV
During an S3 state, the S3 control signal goes LOW, and the system enters a Suspend-toRAM state (STR). STR can occur only after the DRAM has been properly placed into self
refresh mode. This requires a predefined series of command sequences (turn off ODT,
precharge all banks, and then synchronously take CKE LOW with the AUTO REFRESH
command). (See any Micron DDR2 data sheet for details on the required command
sequence.)
The STR or self refresh mode is the lowest DRAM power state. If the proper command
sequences are followed, and all supply voltages are kept within their specified limits, the
DDR2 DRAM will preserve the data contents indefinitely. During this state, VDD/VDDQ
and VREF remain on, and VTT enters a high-impedance state (High-Z). The VTT output no
longer sinks or sources current and is floating, as shown in Figure 11 on page 13.
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
TPS51116 Manages the Critical Relationship Between VTT/VREF
Figure 11:
Enter Suspend-to-RAM (STR)
Tek
Run: 50.0kS/s
VDDQ
VREF
1
VTT
(High-Z)
24
3
S3
Ch1
Ch3
1.00 V
5.00 V
Ch2
Ch4
500mV
500mV
M 1.00ms Ch3
3.2 V
Note: During Suspend-to-RAM, all supply voltages must be
maintained within specified data sheet values, including VREF.
VTT is not required during STR.
For the TPS51116 to enter a Suspend-to-Disk (STD) state, the S5 signal must go LOW.
During the STD (S4/S5 state), no power is supplied to the DRAM, and all DRAM data is
lost. Upon exiting STD, it is critical that the DDR2 memory is powered up correctly, with
a full initialization sequence. This includes the ramp-up of supply voltages and maintaining the required voltage relationships described previously.
After all supply voltages are steady, there must be 200µs of stable clocks before CKE goes
HIGH, and the DRAM initialization sequence is started. (See any Micron DDR2 data
sheet for expanded DRAM initialization requirements.)
During the STD, all TPS51116 outputs discharge to GND, including VDD/VDDQ, VTT, and
VREF. The TPS51116 has been designed to ensure that VTT and VREF discharge more
quickly than VDDQ to guarantee that VDDQ will always be greater than VTT/VREF, as
shown in Figure 12 on page 14.
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TPS51116 Manages the Critical Relationship Between VTT/VREF
Figure 12:
Suspend-to-DISK (STD)
Tek
Stop: 100kS/s
VDDQ
14
S5
2
VTT
3
VREF
Ch1
Ch3
1.00 V Ch2
500m V Ch4
500mV
5.00V
M
500ms Ch1
900mV
Note: After the DRAM has been properly shut down, all supply
voltages may be removed, and DRAM contents will be lost
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Load Efficiency
Load Efficiency
The TPS51116 has a high level of integration, making it easy to use and offering a smaller
total solution size and lower total solution cost, without sacrificing performance. One of
the most important performance features is the efficiency of the switcher, which is used
to power VDD. High efficiency at full loads—such as 10A—is important in reducing the
total power dissipation and in extending battery life within the notebook computer.
A reduction in total power dissipation translates to a reduction in cost and size. The
higher the efficiency, the longer the battery will last when the notebook is on or in an
active state. The TPS51116 efficiency at 10A is 90% (input voltage at 12V), which is
considered very high, as shown in Figure 13.
High efficiency at light loads—such as 10mA—is typically found during a standby condition and is critical in extending battery life when the notebook is in a standby mode. The
higher the efficiency, the longer the battery will last while in standby. The TPS51116 has
exceptional light-load efficiency that achieves greater than 80% (input voltage at 12V), as
shown in Figure 13.
The TPS51116 can achieve this high level of efficiency at both 10A and 10mA because of
its ability to adapt to the changes in load. At heavy loads—such as 10A—the high
efficiency can be achieved because of the TPS51116’s strong gate-drive capability and
the gate drive’s adaptive-dead-time control scheme. At light loads—such as 10mA—the
TPS51116 enters skip mode, which significantly reduces the switching frequency.
Figure 13:
Light-Load and Full-Load VDD/VDDQ Efficiency
100
95
Efficiency (%)
90
85
80
75
70
65
60
55
50
0.010
0.100
1.000
10.000
IDDQ (A)
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TN-47-05 DDR2 POWER SOLUTIONS FOR NOTEBOOKS
Summary
Summary
DDR2 voltage requirements, solution, size, and efficiency are the most important
considerations when designing power circuitry in a notebook computer. The TPS51116
is an ideal solution for powering Micron’s DDR2 memory modules because it is optimized for low cost, is in a small total solution size, and provides high performance.
The TPS51116 high-level integration requires only 7 external resistors and capacitors,
not including the power train for the switcher. Other solutions will use 18 or more
external components, even if the switcher is integrated with the LDO. Typically, these
notebooks require separate power-management ICs for VDDQ and VTT/VREF.
Texas Instruments’ power products can be found at www.ti.com.
For notebook applications, DDR2 is an excellent solution, providing ultra-fast datatransfer rates with extremely low operating-power requirements, dynamic ODT termination, and a small footprint.
With ODT, there is substantially less termination and signal routing on the motherboard.
To ensure functionality, strict guidelines must be followed, making it a challenge to
successfully integrate a power solution for a reliable DDR2 notebook design. This technical note identifies for the designer the critical DDR2 voltages and establishes a method
to implement power to the DDR2 memory channel.
For the latest data sheets, please refer to Micron’s Web site at www.micron.com/
datasheets.
PDF: 09005aef8130a7b8 / Source: 09005aef8135f026
TN4705.fm - Rev. B 4/10 EN
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Micron Technology, Inc., reserves the right to change products or specifications without notice.
©2004 Micron Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.