Vicor Delivers 48 V Direct-to-Processor Power Conversion with Intel VR12.5 Compliant Solution for High-efficiency Datacenters

Andover, MA – April 29, 2014– Vicor Corporation (NASDAQ: VICR) today announced that its Intel VR12.5-compliant, 48 V direct-to-processor power conversion solution is now shipping in volume to OEMs. Designed for use in high performance x86 servers, Vicor is enabling space and power chain efficiencies with an innovative approach that departs from conventional multiphase power conversion. Compliant with Intel's VR12.5 voltage regulation specification, Vicor's advanced single stage, ‘two chip' solution for processor power is enabling advanced power schemes in efficiency-focused datacenters.

Vicor's VR12.5-compliant solution is comprised of the Picor Cool-Power® PI3751 ZVS buck-boost regulator and the VI Chip® 1323 VTM® current multiplier. This chip set deploys a Factorized Power Architecture® (FPA®) scheme that separates regulation and voltage transformation between the components. Dedicating regulation and transformation separately within two highly integrated power processing modules enables superior performance across valuable metrics such as motherboard area, routing and signal conditioning, efficiency and cooling.

With 36-60 V input voltage range capability, Vicor's solution simplifies and streamlines the power delivery chain significantly. Battery backup can be interfaced directly, enabling higher system availability. Three-phase rectifiers can also be used, leveraging the efficiency of DC distribution and economies of scale offered by telecom markets. In Haswell-based x86 systems, Vicor's solution meets dynamic requirements without having to deploy complex control schemes like dynamic phase management, while eliminating the need for bulk capacitance. Vicor's two chip power path also enables easier routing to the processor and minimizes distribution losses from the input source to the socket. Just 10x14x2.5mm and 13x23x4.5mm in size, these high-density, thermally adept components draw on Vicor's power component packaging technology utilizing System in Package (SiP) and Converter housed in Package (ChiP) platforms.

"Progressive techniques are being used to advance power efficiencies while increasing compute capacity within datacenters," said Phil Davies, Corporate Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Vicor. "Vicor is enabling these goals by providing a high density power component design methodology and reducing the number of conversion steps to go from 380 VDC to the point of load. By utilizing our recently launched 1.75 kW 380 V to 48 V ChiP BCMs with this new VR12.5 solution, datacenter power engineers can leverage all the advantages of a 48 V hub, including reduced distribution losses, direct battery backup and efficient conversion from renewable DC energy sources."