At the Power Electronics Technology website, the Spotlight on Digital Power has been updated with a new installment of the Digital Power Q&A and links to conference papers. In the latest Q&A, representatives of the power-supply industry voice their opinions on the question, “What are the obstacles that prevent adoption of digital power technology?” This question was previously posed to experts in the semiconductor industry, so the newest responses offer a contrast in perspectives.
Comments by representatives of Astrodyne, C&D Technologies, Cherokee International, Vicor and those of an independent industry veteran reflect a more skeptical short-term assessment of the technology. However, most respondents appear optimistic about its long-term prospects.
Meanwhile, Dan Artusi, CEO of Coldwatt, also discusses what he sees as obstacles to adoption of digital power in a commentary titled, “A New Year and A New Era For Power.” Here, Artusi likens the current shift in technology to a previous one, noting, “Digital power control is probably the biggest discontinuity in the power industry since switch-mode power came onto the scene more than 20 years ago. Like then, today users and developers must separate myth from reality and focus on the great advantages that digital control brings to the users.”
In addition to reading these features, visitors to the microsite can now download PDFs of digital power papers presented at the Power Electronics Technology conference for the years 2004-2006.