Application Notes
ATH Series of Wide-Output Adjust Power
Modules (3.3/5-V Input)
Features of the ATH Family of Non-Isolated
Wide Output Adjust Power Modules
Point-of-Load Alliance
The ATH family of non-isolated, wide-output adjust
power modules are optimized for applications that require
a flexible, high performance module that is small in size.
These products are part of the “Point-of-Load Alliance”
(POLA), which ensures compatible footprint,
interoperability and true second sourcing for customer
design flexibility. The POLA is a collaboration between
Texas Instruments, Artesyn Technologies, and Astec
Power to offer customers advanced non-isolated modules
that provide the same functionality and form factor. Prod-
uct series covered by the alliance includes the ATH06
(6 A), ATH10 (10 A), ATH12/15 (12/15 A), ATH18/22
(18/22 A), and the ATH26/30 (26/30 A).
From the basic, “Just Plug it In” functionality of the 6-A
modules, to the 30-A rated feature-rich ATH30 Series,
these products were designed to be very flexible, yet simple
to use. The features vary with each product. Table 3-1
provides a quick reference to the available features by
product and input bus voltage.
Table 3-1; Operating Features by Series and Input Bus Voltage
This is a feature unique to the ATH family, and was
specifically designed to simplify the task of sequencing the
supply voltage in a power system. These and other features
are described in the following sections.
Power-Up Characteristics
When configured per their standard application all the
ATH products will produce a regulated output voltage fol-
lowing the application of a valid input source voltage. All
the modules include soft-start circuitry. This slows the initial
rate in which the output voltage can rise, thereby limiting
the amount of in-rush current that can be drawn from the
input source. The soft-start circuitry also introduces a short
time delay (typically 5 ms-10 ms) into the power-up
characteristic. This delay is from the point that a valid
input source is recognized, to the initial rise of the output
voltage. Figure 3-1 shows the power-up characteristic of
the 22-A output product (ATH22T05-9xx), operating from a
5-V input bus and configured for a 3.3-V output. The wave-
forms were measured with a 5-A resistive load. The initial
rise in input current when the input voltage first starts to
rise is the charge current drawn by the input capacitors.
Figure 3-1
Thermal Shutdown
Margin Up/Down
Pre-Bias Startup
Output Sense
Vo (2V/Div)
On/Off Inhibit
Auto-Track™
Over-Current
Adjust (Trim)
Series
PTHxx050
ATH06
Input Bus
3.3 V
5V
12 V
I
OUT
6A
6A
6A
10 A
Iin (2A/Div)
ATH10
PTHxx060
3.3 V / 5 V
12 V
10
A
8
A
15 A
12 A
22 A
18 A
30 A
26 A
PTHxx010
ATH12/15
3.3 V / 5 V
12 V
PTHxx020
ATH18/22
3.3 V / 5 V
12 V
PTHxx030
ATH26/30
3.3 V / 5 V
12 V
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HORIZ SCALE: 10ms/Div
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Over-Current Protection
For protection against load faults, all modules incorporate
output over-current protection. Applying a load that
exceeds the regulator’s over-current threshold will cause
the regulated output to shut down. Following shutdown
a module will periodically attempt to recover by initiating
a soft-start power-up. This is described as a “hiccup” mode
of operation, whereby the module continues in a cycle of
successive shutdown and power up until the load fault is
removed. During this period, the average current flowing
into the fault is significantly reduced. Once the fault is
removed, the module automatically recovers and returns
to normal operation.
For simple point-of-use applications, the ATH06 (6A)
provides operating features such as an on/off inhibit,
output voltage trim, pre-bias startup (3.3/5-V input only),
and over-current protection. The ATH10 (10 A), and
ATH12/15 (12/15 A) include an output voltage sense, and
margin up/down controls. Then the higher output current,
ATH18/22 (18/22A) and ATH26/30 (26/30A) products incor-
porate over-temperature shutdown protection. All of the
products referenced in Table 3-1 include Auto-Track™.
North America (USA): 1-888-41-ASTEC
Europe (UK): 44(1384)842-211
Asia (HK): 852-2437-9662
ASTEC [ Astec America, Inc ]
