by Steve Sandler, Picotest, Phoenix, Ariz.
In modern electronic systems, the performance of FPGAs, CPUs, and other high-speed logic devices depends on the power distribution networks or PDNs that power these devices. Within these PDNs, power converters in the form of point-of-load regulators (POLs), voltage regulator modules (VRMs), dc-dc converters, and linear regulators play a crucial role. Yet, many engineers who develop these power converters may be unfamiliar with PDN concepts and how power converters affect PDN and system performance. In this three-part video series, Steve Sandler introduces three basic PDN concepts that developers of board-level power solutions need to understand.
Part 3: Impedance Matching Is Critical. In the last video, which runs 3 min., Steve explains why the output impedance of a power converter needs to be matched to the impedance of the PDN in which it is used.