
Application Notes
ATH26K12 Wide-Output Adjust
Power Module (12-V Input)
North America (USA): 1-888-41-ASTEC Europe (UK): 44(1384)842-211 Asia (HK): 852-2437-9662
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, 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
For simple point-of-use applications, the ATH06K12 (6 A)
provides operating features such as an on/off inhibit, output
voltage trim, and over-current protection. The
ATH10K12 (10 A), and ATH12K12 (12 A) include an output
voltage sense, and margin up/down controls. Then the
higher output current, ATH18K12 (18 A) and
ATH26K12 (26 A) products incorporate over-temperature
shutdown protection. All of the products referenced in
Table 3-1 include Auto-Track. 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 sys-
tem. These and other features are described in the
following sections.
Soft-Start Power Up
The Auto-Track feature allows the power-up of multiple
ATH modules to be directly controlled from the
Track
pin. However in a stand-alone configuration, or when
the Auto-Track feature is not being used, the
Track
pin
should be directly connected to the input voltage,
V
in
(see Figure 3-1).
Figure 3–1
12 V
C
1,000 μF
+
C
330 μF
+
GND
GND
3.3 V
R
, 2 k
0.1 W, 1 %
ATH18K12-9S
7
10
4
5
6
2
3
9
8
Track
V
IN
V
O
GND
1
Inhibit
Up
Dn
Sense
Adjust
When the
Track
pin is connected to the input voltage the
Auto-Track function is permanently disengaged. This
allows the module to power up entirely under the control
of its internal soft-start circuitry. When power up is under
soft-start control, the output voltage rises to the set-point
at a quicker and more linear rate.
Figure 3–2
Vin (5 V/Div)
Vo (1 V/Div)
Iin (5 A/Div)
HORIZ SCALE 5 ms/Div
Series
Input Bus
I
OUT
3.3 V / 5 V
6 A
12 V
6 A
3.3 V / 5 V
10 A
10 A
12 V
3.3 V / 5 V
15 A
12 V
12 A
3.3 V / 5 V
22 A
12 V
18 A
3.3 V / 5 V
30 A
12 V
26 A
O
O
A
T
P
M
A
PTHxx030
O
PTHxx010
PTHxx020
PTHxx060
ATH06