VR11.1, 4-Phase PWM Controller with Light Load Efficiency Enhancement and Load Current Monitoring Features The ISL6334B, ISL6334C control microprocessor core voltage regulation by driving up to 4 interleaved synchronousrectified buck channels in parallel. This multiphase architecture results in multiplying channel ripple frequency and reducing input and output ripple currents. Lower ripple results in fewer components, lower cost, reduced power dissipation, and smaller implementation area. Microprocessor loads can generate load transients with extremely fast edge rates and require high efficiency at light load. The ISL6334B, ISL6334C utilizes Intersil’s proprietary Active Pulse Positioning (APP), Adaptive Phase Alignment (APA) modulation scheme, active phase adding and dropping to achieve and maintain the extremely fast transient response with fewer output capacitors and high efficiency from light to full load. The ISL6334B, ISL6334C is designed to be compliant to Intel VR11.1 specifications. It accurately reports the load current via IMON pin to the microprocessor, which sends an active low PSI# signal to the controller at low power mode. The controller then enters 1- or 2-phase operation with diode emulation option to reduce magnetic core and switching losses, yielding high efficiency at light load. After the PSI# signal is de-asserted, the dropped phase(s) are added back to sustain heavy load transient response and efficiency.