Small solution sizes and high integration levels are required for extremely space-constrained systems, such as optical modules and solid-state drives (SSDs). While integrated power modules tend to be highly desired in these and other small-size applications, they were previously limited to lower-load-current applications, with discrete power supplies used elsewhere. However, the latest power modules, which now deliver 3 A, allow for much smaller solution sizes while giving acceptable performance. In this article, I compare the efficiency, solution size, and cost of a power module to an equivalent discrete solution...
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