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V core Power Supply Testing Solution

 

 

 

Keywords: Vcore, Voltage Regulator Module (VRM), Voltage Regulator Test Tool (VRTT), AI server, CPU, GPU, NPU

 

 

 

The Importance of Vcore DC-DC Power Conversion Modules (VRMs)

 

 

In modern computing systems, the processor—whether CPU, GPU, or NPU—functions as the heart of computation. Its performance is critically dependent on a stable and precisely regulated power supply. Among all power rails, the Vcore voltage is especially crucial for ensuring reliable processor operation. Its importance is reflected in the following key aspects:

 

 

  • Processor Operational Integrity:
    The Vcore voltage must remain strictly within the specifications defined by the processor manufacturer. Deviations—either overvoltage or undervoltage—may lead to instability or even permanent damage to the processor.
  • Power Delivery Capability:
    Modern processors exhibit highly dynamic power demands. The VRM must be capable of supplying sufficient and stable current to meet these fluctuations across all load conditions.
  • System Performance Optimization:
    A tightly regulated Vcore voltage enables the processor to maintain peak performance under high computational loads. Power insufficiency may result in frequency throttling or data errors.
  • Overall System Stability:
    Poor Vcore regulation is a common root cause of system crashes, freezing, or other unpredictable behaviors, particularly under high load or overclocking scenarios.
  • Processor Longevity:
    Prolonged exposure to voltage stress—especially beyond design thresholds or under high temperature—can accelerate silicon ageing, shortening the processor’s operational lifespan.

 

 

Given the high cost of modern processors (e.g. the Nvidia GB200 priced between USD 60,000–70,000), failure in power integrity poses a significant internal cost risk to system integrators and OEMs. It is, therefore, imperative to conduct rigorous validation and characterization of the Voltage Regulator Module (VRM).

 

 

Dynamic, Static, and Destructive Testing Approaches

 

 

Dynamic load testing typically requires manufacturer-specific test tools, such as the Voltage Regulator Test Tool (VRTT), or third-party dynamic load systems. These tools are often defined in the processor vendor’s official test documentation.

 

 

For both dynamic and static testing, an interposer board is used to interface between the processor socket and the test instrumentation. This board enables the connection of both static electronic loads and dynamic load generators. (See illustration.) The interposer features eight terminal pairs for static loading, while the central socket is used for dynamic loading integration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This article outlines a complete setup for static testing, which includes:

 

 

  • SVSC (Static Voltage Static Current): Testing under fixed voltage and current conditions.
  • DVSC (Dynamic Voltage Static Current): Evaluating the response of the VRM to voltage transients under static current loading.
  • Destructive Testing:
    • Phase 1: Verify safety protection mechanisms.
    • Phase 2: Apply fault conditions to evaluate potential damage to the server board under power failure or VRM malfunction scenarios.

 

 

Test Equipment Configuration for Static Testing

 

 

The following instrumentation is required to perform comprehensive static validation of the Vcore power rail:

 

 

  • High Current Electronic Load (≥1000 A):
    Recommended model: GW Instek PEL-5012C-150-1200
  • High-precision Voltage Measurement DAQ (6½-digit resolution):
    Recommended configuration: DAQ-9600 mainframe + DAQ-901 voltage module
  • High-accuracy Current Shunt for Vcore Current Sensing:
    Example: Prodigit 1000A shunt module
  • DC Power Supply for Cooling Fan Support:
    Recommended model: GW Instek GPP-7250

 

 

System Architecture Diagram

 

 

Please refer to the diagram (attached) illustrating the complete server board Vcore test setup, showing connections between the VRM under test, static/dynamic loads, and measurement instruments.

 

 

 

Technical Specifications – Summary of Key Instruments

 

Instrument

Model

Key Features

Electronic Load

PEL-5012C-150-1200

150 V / 1200 A / 6000 W, fast transient load

DAQ Mainframe

DAQ-9600

6½-digit resolution, high-speed sampling

DAQ Voltage Module

DAQ-901

Multi-channel precision voltage input

High Current Shunt

Prodigit 1000A

± 1000 A accuracy, low resistance

DC Power Supply

GPP-7250

Multi-channel, programmable, fan powering

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shunt Specifications

Range

Shunt Value

DC Accuracy

(Typical)

DC Accuracy

(Maximum)

AC Accuracy
(± % of Reading + Range)

Max Input (DC/AC RMS)

Output Voltage

1000 A

0.0001 Ω

0.02 % of Reading

+ 0.01 % of Range

0.05 % of Reading

+ 0.05 % of Range

50 Hz to 200 Hz

0.1 % Reading +Range

201 Hz to 300 Hz

0.2 % Reading +Range

301 Hz to 400 Hz

0.4 % Reading +Range

1000 A

0.1 V

200 A

0.001 Ω

0.02 % of Reading

0.04 % of Reading

0.10 % of Reading

250 A

0.2 V

20 A

0.01 Ω

0.01 % of Reading

0.02 % of Reading

0.10 % of Reading

30 A

0.2 V

2 A

0.1 Ω

0.01 % of Reading

0.02 % of Reading

0.10 % of Reading

4 A

0.2 V

0.2 A

1 Ω

0.01 % of Reading

0.02 % of Reading

0.10 % of Reading

0.4 A

0.2 V

Note: Shunt resistors are four-terminal types and support calibration adjustment.

 

 

5½-Digit Precision Ammeter Specifications

Range

Resolution

DC Accuracy (± % of Reading + Range)

AC Accuracy (± % of Reading + Range)

Typical

Maximum

1000 A

0.01 A

0.04 + 0.01

0.08 + 0.01

50 Hz to 200 Hz

0.5 + 0.1

201 Hz to 300 Hz

0.5 + 0.2

301 Hz to 400 Hz

0.5 + 0.4

200 A

0.001 A / 0.01 A

0.04 + 0.01

0.08 + 0.01

0.5 + 0.05

20 A

0.0001 A / 0.001 A

0.02 + 0.01

0.04 + 0.01

0.5 + 0.05

2A

0.01 mA / 0.1 mA

0.02 + 0.01

0.04 + 0.01

0.5 + 0.05

0.2 A

0.0001 A / 0.01 mA

0.02 + 0.01

0.04 + 0.01

0.5 + 0.05

 

 


 Environmental Conditions

  • Operating Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C
    (Specifications guaranteed at 23 °C ± 2 °C)
  • Temperature Coefficients:

o   For 0.2 A to 2 A ranges: ± 0.01 % / °C
(20 °C to 40 °C)

o   For 20 A: ± 0.02 % / °C (20 °C to 40°C)

o   For 200 A: ± 0.003 % / °C (20 °C to 40°C)

o   For 1000 A: ± 0.005 % / °C (20 °C to 40 °C)


 Power and Mechanical Information

  • Power Input:
    AC 115 V / 230 V ± 10 %, 50 Hz / 60 Hz (switchable)
  • Cooling: Forced air cooling
  • Weight: 13.5 kg
  • Dimensions:
    440(W) mm × 88.9(H) mm × 410(D) mm

 

 

Ordering Information

Model

Description

1000A

Precision High Current Shunt Module

1000A-R

Rear-terminal version of High Current Shunt

 

Optional interfaces:
▸ GPIB Card ▸ RS232 Card ▸ USB Card ▸ LAN Card

 

 

The GW Instek testing solution offers a significant advantage by reducing overall testing costs without compromising measurement accuracy. Please feel free to contact us for further information.

 

 

 

Ultra-High Power DC Electronic Load

SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL

PEL-5008C-150-800

PEL-5010C-150-1000

PEL-5012C-150-1200

Power *1

8 kW

10 kW

12 kW

Current

0 A to 80 A

0 A to 800 A

0 A to 100 A

0 A to 1000 A

0 A to 120 A

0 A to 1200 A

Voltage

0 V to 150 V

Min. Operating Voltage

0.7 V @ 800 A

0.7 V @ 1000 A

0.7 V @ 1200 A

Protections

Over Power Protection (OPP)

105 %

Over Current Protection (OCP)

104 %

Over Voltage Protection (OVP)

105 %

Over Temp Protection (OTP)

90 °C ± 5 °C

Constant Current Mode

Range *2

80 A

800 A

100 A

1000 A

120 A

1200 A

Resolution

1.28 mA

12.8 mA

1.6 mA

16 mA

1.92 mA

19.2 mA

Accuracy *3

± 0.05 % of (Setting + Range)

Constant Resistance Mode

Range

11250 Ω to 0.1875 Ω

0.1785 Ω to 0.0009 Ω

9000 Ω to 0.15 Ω

0.15 Ω to 0.0007 Ω

7500 Ω to 0.125 Ω

0.125 Ω to 0.0006 Ω

Resolution

88.888 µS

3.125 µΩ

111.111 µS

2.5 µΩ

133.333 µS

2.048 µΩ

Accuracy

± 0.2 % of (Setting + Range)

Constant Voltage Mode

Range

150 V

Resolution

2.5 mV

Accuracy

± 0.05 % of (Setting + Range)

Constant Power Mode

Range

800 W

8000 W

1000 W

10000 W

1200 W

12000 W

Resolution

12.8 mW

128 mW

16 mW

160 mW

19.2 mW

192 mW

Accuracy

± 0.1 % of (Setting + Range)

Constant Voltage Mode + Constant Current Mode

Range

150 V

800 A

150 V

1000 A

150 V

1200 A

Resolution

2.5 mV

12.8 mA

2.5 mV

3.2 mA

2.5 mV

19.2 mA

Accuracy

± 1.0 % of (Setting + Range)

Constant Voltage Mode + Constant Power Mode

Range

150 V

8000 W

150 V

10000 W

150 V

12000 W

Resolution

2.5 mV

128 mW

2.5 mV

160 mW

2.5 mV

192 mW

Accuracy

± 1.0 % of (Setting + Range)

Surge Test

Surge & Normal current

0 A to 800 A

0 A to 1000 A

0 A to 1200 A

Surge Time

10 ms to 1000 ms

10 ms to 1000 ms

10 ms to 1000 ms

Surge Step

1 to 5

MPPT Mode

Algorithm

P&O

Load Mode

CV

P&O Interval

1000 ms to 60000 ms; resolution 1000 ms

Dynamic Mode

Timing

Thigh & Tlow

0.010 ms to 9.999 ms / 99.99 ms / 999.9 ms / 9999 ms

Resolution

0.001 ms / 0.01 ms / 0.1 ms / 1 ms

Accuracy

1 µs / 10 µs / 100 µs / 1 ms + 500 ppm

Slew Rate

0.0192 A to 1.2 A / µs

0.192 A to 12 A / µs

0.024 A to 1.5 A / µs

0.24 A to 15 A / µs

0.0288 A to 1.8 A / µs

0.288 A to 18 A / µs

Resolution

0.0048 A / µs

0.048 A / µs

0.006 A / µs

0.06 A / µs

0.0072 A / µs

0.072 A / µs

Min. Rise Time

66.7 µs (typical)

Current

Range

0 A to 80 A

80 A to 800 A

0 A to 100 A

100 A to 1000 A

0 A to 120 A

120 A to 1200 A

Resolution

1.28 mA

12.8 mA

1.6 mA

16 mA

1.92 mA

19.2 mA

Measurement

Voltage Read Back

Range (5 Digital)

0 V to 15 V

15 V to 150 V

0 V to 15 V

15 V to 150 V

0 V to 15 V

15 V to 150 V

Resolution

0.25 mV

2.5 mV

0.25 mV

2.5 mV

0.25 mV

2.5 mV

Accuracy

± 0.025 % of (Setting + Range)

Current Read Back

Range (5 Digital)

0 A to 80 A

80 A to 800 A

0 A to 100 A

100 A to 1000 A

0 A to 120 A

120 A to 1200 A

Resolution

1.28 mA

12.8 mA

1.6 mA

16 mA

1.92 mA

19.2 mA

Accuracy

± 0.05 % of (Setting + Range)

Power Read Back

Range (5 Digital)

8000 W

10000 W

12000 W

Accuracy

± 0.06 % of (Setting + Range)

General

Typical Short Resistance

0.0009 Ω

0.0007 Ω

0.0006 Ω

Maximum Short Current

800 A

1000 A

1200 A

Load ON Voltage

0.25 V to 62.5 V

Load OFF Voltage

0 V to 62.5 V

Power Consumption

920 VA

Dimension (H x W x D)

571.6 mm x 481 mm x 757.3 mm

Dimension (H x W x D) ~ w/o Rack Mount kit, wheels

467.6 mm x 445.2 mm x 757.3 mm

Weight

77.5 kg

84.8 kg

92 kg

Temperature *4

0°C to 40 °C

Safety & EMC

CE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooling : Advanced Fan Cooled

Note *1 : The power rating specification at ambient temperature = 25 °C

Note *2 : The range is automatically or forcing to range II only in CC Mode

Input AC power : AC 100 V to 240 V ± 10 %, 50Hz / 60 Hz, Signal-phase

Note *3 : If the operating current is below range 0.1 %, the accuracy specification is 0.1 % F.S.

Note *4 : Operation temperature is 0°C to 40 °C, all specifications apply for 25 °C ± 5 °C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Us:

 

Diana

Digital Service Specialist  

E-mail: diana@goodwill.com.tw