[Application industrielle] — Solution d’essai à très basse tension et à fort courant pour les systèmes d’alimentation ciblant l’architecture VPD des GPU de nouvelle génération

Power Supply Testing Challenges Under the Evolution of AI Computing Power

Ressources FaithTech associées : NZ/N ultra-low-voltage high-current DC electronic load et FT68200.

As the complexity of AI training models continues to increase, the peak current demand for GPUs will reach 2000A-5000A or even higher, while the core voltage remains at 0.8V or even lower. Traditional LPD (Lateral Power Delivery) architectures, due to their long current paths, large parasitic parameters, and slow dynamic response, can no longer meet the power supply requirements of next-generation GPUs.

At this year's CES, NVIDIA confirmed that Rubin would adopt the VPD (Vertical Power Delivery) solution. According to NVIDIA, the Rubin architecture will feature wider and more numerous HBM4 memory. Since HBM already occupies all the space around the GPU package, there is no physical room left for LPD, making VPD the definitive solution. Intel and Google have also begun experimenting with VPD solutions, and Huawei is also paying attention to this technology, holding an invention patent for a "chip vertical power supply system." (Source: EE Times)

(Image Source: Vicor Official Website)

However, the introduction of the VPD architecture poses unprecedented challenges for the testing and validation of power supply systems: how to accurately simulate dynamic loads of thousands of amperes at extremely low voltages, and how to verify the stability of PMICs (Power Management ICs) under nanosecond-level transient responses has become a critical hurdle for all upstream suppliers.

Technical Challenges

Testing Difficulties and Solutions Under VPD Architecture

Facing these challenges, traditional electronic loads are no longer sufficient. Leveraging its deep technical accumulation and outstanding product performance, FaithTech's N Series Ultra-Low Voltage High-Current Electronic Load, designed specifically for GPU/CPU ultra-low voltage test scenarios, features an ultra-low voltage load capability starting at 0.2V, perfectly covering the test range for next-generation GPU core voltages. In terms of current throughput, the FaithTech N Series not only stably achieves high-current testing up to 2000A but also possesses the capability to expand to 5000A for ultimate testing, accurately replicating the full-load conditions of GPUs during AI training peaks.

Crucially, the FaithTech N Series low-voltage, high-current electronic load features a dynamic current slew rate of up to 20A/µs, far exceeding industry standards. This allows it to realistically simulate millisecond-level current surges during complex matrix operations in GPUs, assisting engineers in capturing minute voltage droop and overshoot in PMICs under extreme dynamics, thereby optimizing loop response speed and ensuring the absolute robustness of the power supply system. It is precisely due to this outstanding performance that FaithTech has gained high recognition from NVIDIA and its core PMIC and GaN suppliers, becoming a key test equipment in their R&D laboratories.

Diagram of current variation under microsecond-level dynamic response of the FaithTech N Series electronic load

Within NVIDIA's ecosystem, efficient power delivery relies not only on architectural innovation but also on the iteration of power semiconductor materials. To meet the stringent requirements of VPD architecture for high switching frequency and low loss, wide-bandgap devices represented by GaN (Gallium Nitride) and SiC (Silicon Carbide) have become mainstream. FaithTech's test solutions are deeply integrated with this trend, and its high-precision loads can effectively verify the switching characteristics and thermal stability of GaN devices under high frequencies, helping partners optimize the topology design of totem-pole PFC and LLC resonant converters, thereby achieving higher power density and conversion efficiency within limited space.

Solution

FaithTech N Series Ultra-Low Voltage High-Current Electronic Load

FaithTech has focused the field of low-voltage, high-current testing for many years. Its technical accumulation stems from the most stringent testing requirements in the new energy sector and has been deeply optimized for AI computing scenarios based on NVIDIA's VPD architecture. The FaithTech N Series electronic load, specifically designed for CPU/GPU power supply testing, offers the following core technical advantages:

01 Ultra-Low Voltage Load Capability

• N Series: Supports full current loading at 0.2V, reaching up to [email protected], perfectly matching the core voltage requirements of next-generation GPU VPD architecture.
• Minimum internal resistance < 0.2mΩ, ensuring high current sinking capability under low-voltage conditions and significantly reducing test power consumption.

02 Ultra-High Current Expansion Capability

• Single unit supports [email protected] (FT68206N-20-2000).
• Expandable to [email protected] (FT68215N-20-5000), covering peak load requirements for AI training.

03 Ultra-Fast Dynamic Response Speed

• Transient current slew rate of 20A/µs, with transient test frequency up to 20kHz, can precisely simulate microsecond-level current surges in GPUs during matrix operations, helping engineers capture PMIC transient responses.

04 High-Precision Transient Capture

• Supports real-time monitoring of voltage droop and overshoot.
• Voltage measurement accuracy up to 0.025%+0.025% F.S., current measurement accuracy 0.05%+0.05% F.S., ensuring reliable test data.

05 Multiple Test Modes

• Supports four modes: Constant Current (CC), Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Resistance (CR), and Constant Power (CP).
• Provides sequence test function to program complex load timings and simulate actual operating conditions, suitable for PMIC dynamic characteristic verification.

06 Multiple Test Modes

• Supports four modes: Constant Current (CC), Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Resistance (CR), and Constant Power (CP).
• Provides sequence test function to program complex load timings and simulate actual operating conditions, suitable for PMIC dynamic characteristic verification.

07 Communication and Control

• Supports RS232, RS485, LAN, USB, CAN (optional).
• Supports SCPI and ModBus protocols, facilitating system integration and automated testing, allowing seamless integration into existing test platforms.

Product Series and Selection Guide

The following are the main models within the FaithTech N Series electronic load suitable for GPU VPD R&D testing. Users can select based on current requirements:

Customization is supported. For details, please visit the FaithTech official website: https://www.faithtechate.com/products/dc-electronic-load/nz-n-series-ultra-low-voltage-and-high-current-dc-electronic-load

Application Scenarios

Full-Link Support from Laboratory to Production Line

Conclusion

Building the Power Testing Foundation for the Computing Era

The FaithTech N Series Ultra-Low Voltage High-Current Electronic Load is not only a breakthrough in test equipment performance but also a critical enabler for the AI computing power industry chain. It solves the core testing challenges during the VPD architecture transition, clearing validation obstacles for the performance release of NVIDIA's next-generation GPUs. As AI factories demand ever-stricter energy efficiency and density, FaithTech will continue to leverage its leading test technology, collaborating with world-class PMIC and power device manufacturers to jointly strengthen the energy foundation for the computing era and witness the birth of every computing marvel.

Please feel free to contact the FaithTech technical support team.

References:

• EE Times: https://www.eeworld.com.cn/dygl/eic717633.html
• Vicor Official Website: https://www.vicorpower.com/zh-cn/industries-and-innovations/power-on-package
• FaithTech Official Website: https://www.faithtechate.com/products/dc-electronic-load/nz-n-series-ultra-low-voltage-and-high-current-dc-electronic-load

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FaithTech is a company specializing in the field of new energy power electronics testing and simulation instrumentation. We provide world-class, precise, high-quality full-series test & measurement power supplies, electronic load equipment, and test solutions. Leveraging profound technical accumulation, FaithTech was among the first in the industry to introduce over 10 high-level product series, including high-density high-power electronic loads, wide-range DC test & measurement power supplies, and high-performance high-power bidirectional DC power supplies, achieving performance indicators that reach international leading levels and are sold well in developed countries overseas.

FaithTech is committed to technology frontiers and independent R&D, holding nearly 100 independent intellectual property rights and having obtained CE, ROHS, and ISO 9001 international quality management system certifications.

FaithTech has been honored as a "National Specialized and Sophisticated 'Little Giant' Enterprise," a "National High-Tech Enterprise," a "Major Drafting Unit for 4 National Standards including 'High-Power Switching Power Supply Technical Specifications,'" and a "Shenzhen Specialized and Sophisticated Enterprise." With reliable product quality and enthusiastic service, FaithTech has established long-term cooperative relationships with leading companies in the industry.

FaithTech – A High-End Test & Measurement Power Supply, Electronic Load, and Automated Test Integrated Solution Manufacturer