Power Advancements Part 2: From AI-Driven Data Centers to Electric 2-Wheelers

Power management challenges are everywhere—from high-reliability systems to commercial and industrial applications. In the first part of this two-part series, we explored the unique demands of high-reliability environments and the solutions that address them.

In this issue, we turn our focus to two additional areas where power efficiency is critical:

1️⃣ MPU and FPGA designs at the edge used in industrial automation and data center applications

2️⃣ Electric two-wheelers (E2Ws) that require optimized power and battery management

If you missed Part 1, catch up here: “Power Advancements Part 1: High-Reliability Highlights from Microchip”

🆕 Power Management for AI at the Edge: MCP16701 PMIC

The rapid rise of AI and its integration into industrial, computing and data center applications demands more efficient and advanced power-management solutions. Enter the MCP16701–Microchip’s newest Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC), a highly efficient and fully integrated point-of-load 12A power module designed to meet the challenging requirements of high-performance MPU and FPGA designs.

Key features include:

 ● Integrates into a compact 8 mm x 8 mm VQFN package: eight parallelable 1.5A Buck converters, four high-accuracy 300 mA Low Dropout Voltage (LDO) regulators and one LDO controller using an external N-channel MOSFET for SERDES applications.

● Parallelable Buck converters can be combined (up to four channels) to deliver up to 6A of output current—using a shared inductor to reduce part count and board space.

● Programmable output voltages from 0.6V to 3.8V with 12.5 mV or 25 mV steps, and ±0.8% accuracy (VFB ≥ 1V) across temperature; no external feedback resistors required.

● I²C interface with up to 3.4 MHz clock speed and optional Packet Error Checking (PEC) for fast, reliable configuration and runtime adjustments.

● Integrated EEPROM for in-circuit programming of default power-up sequences, voltage settings and channel behavior—no factory reprogramming required for new use cases.

The MCP16701 supports PIC64-GX microprocessors and PolarFire® FPGAs with a highly flexible feature set, and operates from –40°C to +105°C, making it ideal for a wide variety of systems in industrial and commercial environments.

You can access the data sheet here. Development tools include the EV23P28A Evaluation Board and GUI.

🔗 Dive deeper in our press release: Advanced PMIC for High-Performance AI, Industrial Computing and Data Center Applications

🔗 Explore Microchip’s PMIC products: Power Management Integrated Circuits (PMICs)

🆕 Making Electric 2-Wheelers (E2Ws) More Power Efficient

As the electrification of automobiles and trucks progresses, so does the shift toward electric two-wheel transportation—bicycles, scooters and motorcycles. These platforms feature many of the same subsystems found in larger EVs, such as motor driver units, vehicle control units, battery management systems and digital instrument clusters. While the power requirements are lower, the demand for innovation, smart control and safety remains just as high.

The latest addition to Microchip’s ecosystem of advanced hardware, software and development tools for electric two-wheelers is the USB Power Delivery (PD) Dual Charging Port Demonstration Application. This reference design supports USB PD 3.1 specifications and features a GUI-based demo to evaluate dual-channel, digitally controlled smart charging for a wide range of USB-PD loads.

Key features include:

● Dual-channel USB-PD support with output voltages from 3V to 20V and currents from 0.5A to 3A, powered by a 6V–18V input (12V recommended).

● Programmable Power Supply (PPS) fast charging dynamically adjusts voltage and current in real time to optimize power delivery based on each device’s status.

● Power-balancing between ports ensures more efficient charging and better user control over power distribution.

● Fully integrated protection mechanisms include:

> Short-to-battery protection on CC, D+, and D–

> Battery short-to-GND protection

> Over-voltage, under-voltage, over-current, reverse-voltage, and thermal protection (shutdown)

● Operates with a user-friendly GUI via USB-to-serial bridge and is fully programmable using the two onboard microcontrollers.

● Built around the MCP19061 (4-switch buck-boost converter) and UCS4002 (USB-C port protection with VCONN FETs).

The kit is fully assembled, tested, and ready to evaluate advanced charging strategies for electric mobility and portable USB-powered systems.

Early Access Kit is available now—click “Buy” or fill out the request form to be contacted by a Microchip representative.

Design files are available immediately upon request; software and source code are available for qualified clients and prospects.

🔗 This kit is part of our broader E2W ecosystem, which you can explore here: E-Two-Wheeler.

🔍 Analog Power Product Snapshots: Comparators and Gate Drivers

Here are two analog devices ideal for designs constrained by size, power and cost:

● MCP657x Comparator Family

These CMOS/TTL-compatible comparators operate with a single-supply voltage as low as 1.8V while drawing low-quiescent current (70 µA max per comparator). They are optimized for low-power applications ranging from automotive to portable and medical diagnostic equipment, RC timers and sensor conditioning.

● MIC4606 Full-Bridge MOSFET Driver

This 85V full-bridge MOSFET driver features adaptive dead time and shoot-through protection to maximize power efficiency. It offers a wide 5.5V to 16V operating supply range to maximize system efficiency, and low 5.5V operating voltage to allow longer run times in battery-powered applications.

🛠️ Development Support: Tools to Accelerate Power Electronics Design

To help designers take their analog power and other designs to reality, our analog development tool ecosystem can be used by both analog and digital engineers. The comprehensive suite of resources provides help with:

● Design support software

● Fast and accurate analog circuit simulator 

● Downloadable PCB footprints and schematic symbols

● Online design review service

🔗 Learn more about our Analog Development Ecosystem: Analog Solutions in a Digital World

This wraps up our two-part Power Advancements series, covering high-reliability and analog power solutions. We hope it helped shine a light on how Microchip’s power management products can streamline your development process while elevating system performance.

Below are additional links you may find helpful for your power journey.

🔗 Mixed-Signal, Linear, Interface and Power Products to Complete Any System

🔗 Motor Control and Drive

🔗 Motor Control Products

🔗 Power Management − Integrated and Discrete Power ICs