Energy Smarts

The LEDC10 Series of dc-dc LED drivers are designed for LED lighting applications with output ratings up to 10 W. The nonisolated, constant-current LEDC10-12-R48, housed in a single in-line package, operates with dc input of 4.5 to 20 Vdc. The driver provides a 0 to 480-mA programmable constant-current output with a drive voltage of 3 to 20 V.

The constant-current output range is programmable via external logic levels or jumpers connected to trim pins on the driver. A light-dimming control operates via a PWM control input with a 10 to 100% duty cycle, or by using logic-level trim inputs. Applying different combinations of logic “1” and “0” levels to the trim inputs, changes the maximum output drive current to 50, 150, 350, and 480 mA.

The convection-cooled drivers operate from -40 to 85°C at full load without derating. Typical efficiencies are 87%. Standard features include overcurrent and overvoltage protection.

TDK-Lambda Americas, 3055 Del Sol Blvd., San Diego, CA 92154, (900) 526-2324, www.us.tdk-lambda.com/lp/products/ld12-series.htm

Two new brushless flat-dc micromotors provide diameters of 15 and 26 mm. The precious-metal commutated micromotors have nominal voltages of 6 or 12 V. The 15-mm-diameter model provides a 0.6-mNm continuous output torque, while the 26-mm-diameter version offers 3.8 mNm. The output torque can be increased up to 30 or 100 mNm with gearmotor versions of the new drives.

Electronic commutation is based on three digital Hall sensors. The cog-free motors feature smooth operation, high efficiency, and long operational life. The gearmotor versions come with reduction ratios of 6 to 324:1 (Series 15…B) or 8 to 1257:1 (Series 26…B). The 26-mm motor has an optional integrated speed controller.

The micro motors are suitable for portable devices or continuous-duty operations such as those in laboratory and medical-device applications.

MICROMO, 14881 Evergreen Ave., Clearwater, FL 33762, (800) 807-9166, www.micromo.com

Bulk cable, CoilBoss retractile cords, and complete cable packages are available for electric and hybrid vehicles and equipment. All Electric Vehicle (EV) cables are UL 62 approved and compatible with SAE J1772 connectors, as well as UL 2594 and NEC 625 charging systems. The cables come in standard or custom configurations. Customization includes hybrid designs, colors, and private labeling.

The 600V EVE (TPE) and 600V EVT (PVC) cables come in 2 to 18 awg and the 300V EVJE (TPE) and 300V EVJT (PVC) cables in 12 to 18 awg. Standard jacket materials are exposed-run (ER) rated TPE or PVC with nylon. The cables may contain hybrid data, signal, and communication in any awg size.

Northwire Inc., 110 Prospect Way, Osceola, WI 54020, (800) 468-1516, www.northwire.com/evcables

From International Rectifier comes the AUIRS4426S dual channel low-side driver IC for use in automotive applications including hybrid power train drives, direct fuel injection, and dc-dc converter applications. Available in an 8-lead SOIC package, the automotive-qualified AUIRS4426S is a rugged low-voltage high speed power MOSFET and IGBT driver that features matched propagation delay for both channels to help simplify design.

The AUIRS4426S features a gate drive supply range from 6 to 20 V, CMOS Schmitt-triggered inputs, outputs out-of-phase with inputs, and input logic is active low. The device is qualified according to AEC-Q100 standards, features an environmentally friendly, lead-free, and RoHS compliant bill of materials, and is part of the company's automotive quality initiative targeting zero defects.

For more information, contact International Rectifier, 233 Kansas St., El Segundo, CA 90245.
Phone: (310) 252-7105.

The Resilience Cables, for wind-turbine applications, are UL and Wind Turbine Tray Cable (WTTC) approved and NFPA 79 (12.2.2) rated for constant flex and high performance. Guaranteed to perform in harsh environments, the cables are designed for low-voltage control, data, communication, and exposed-run power applications in wind-turbine nacelles. The cables have a torsional and bend high-flex life, operate at temperatures as low as -40°C, are oil resistant (Oil Res I and II), and FT4 flame rated. Six to 18-awg cable comes in AWM 300-V, 600-V and WTTC-rated 1,000-V configurations with options for customization.

Northwire Inc., 110 Prospect Way, Osceola, WI 54020, (800) 468-1516, www.northwire.com/resilience

A synchronous MOSFET half bridge gives greater than 90% efficiency at 25 A — and in half the area of competitive power MOSFET devices. The CSD86350Q5D Power Block combines two asymmetric NexFET power MOSFETs in an advanced package for low-voltage synchronous buck half-bridge applications, including servers, desktop and notebook PCs, base stations, switches, routers, and high-current point-of-load (POL) converters.

In addition to improving efficiency and power density, the NexFET Power Block can generate up to 40 A of current with a switching frequency of up to 1.5 MHz, which reduces size and cost. The optimized pinout and grounded lead frame significantly reduces development time and improves overall circuit performance. Furthermore, the NexFET Power Block can works like other semiconductor technologies, such as GaN, but economically.

Key features and benefits of CSD86350Q5D Power Block:

• 5 × 6 mm SON outline is half the size of two discrete MOSFETs in 5 × 6 mm QFN packages

• Greater than 90% power efficiency at 25 A operation — 2% better efficiency and 20% lower power loss than competitive devices

• Double the frequency without increasing power loss versus competitive solutions

• The SON package with an exposed grounded pad on the bottom simplifies layout

For more information, contact Texas Instruments Inc., 12500 TI Blvd., Dallas, TX 75243. Phone: (972) 644-5580.

The MAX8847/MAX8848, are negative charge pumps for up to 6 or 7 white LEDs (WLEDs) in a 3 × 3 mm TQFN package. These backlight drivers employ a negative-charge-pump architecture to eliminate in-line resistance from the battery to WLEDs. As a result, mode switching from 1x to 1.5x is delayed during battery discharge, thereby minimizing dropout.

The proprietary adaptive-mode-switching technology controls each LED individually. The net result of this technology is a 12% increase in LED efficiency and, thus, longer battery life. This extra efficiency makes the MAX8847/MAX8848 well suited for cell phones, smartphones, digital still cameras, and other portable applications.

The MAX8847/MAX8848 can also replace the inductor-boost LED drivers that consume a large piece of PCB real estate in conventional designs. A serial pulse/PWM interface controls each LED, which enables multizone light management and allows up to 32 brightness levels. The 120µA quiescent current facilitates “always-on” displays that require minimal power. High LED current accuracy (±2% max) ensures even brightness and minimizes power dissipation. Built-in temperature derating and overvoltage protection further extend the life of the LEDs.

Maxim Integrated Products, 120 San Gabriel Dr., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Phone: (408) 737-7600.

The National Semiconductor Corp. SolarMagic chipset, is now being built into what the company calls “smart panels.” Whereas traditional solar panels are prone to under-perform due to conditions such as age, mismatch, and shade, smart panels incorporate advanced electronics to harvest the maximum energy from a solar system.

The SM3320 SolarMagic smart panel chipset is the most recent addition to the company's SolarMagic product line.

SolarMagic can recoup up to 71% of power lost to mismatch — regardless of cell technology — giving installation owners more predictable power output and increased return on investment.

Proprietary algorithms apply localized maximum power point tracking (MPPT), extracting the maximum energy available by translating the input voltage and current to the best output voltage and current pair to maximize energy flow. The SM3320 system senses input voltage and current throughout the array and adjusts to achieve optimum string levels.

The SM3320 includes a highly integrated, 99.5% efficient, 350-W tri-mode power converter. The SM3320 can either boost, pass-through, or lower the voltage of each panel. Options include fire safety panel shut-off and a set of sophisticated safety mechanisms. The SM3320 is released to market with UL and CE component-level certification and is in volume production.

The board-level system, measuring 5 × 3.5 × 0.5 in. and weighing approximately 6.4 oz., easily fits into a solar panel junction box. It is now being integrated into junction box and module-level partners with their product releases starting at Intersolar Europe and continuing through the rest of the year.

National Semiconductor Corp., 3689 Kifer Road, Santa Clara, CA 95051. Phone: (800) 272-9959.

Z-Rec 1700-V Junction Barrier Schottky (JBS) diodes virtually eliminates diode switching losses. These diodes target high-voltage power-conversion applications in motor drive, wind energy, and traction systems.

Initial products in the 1700-V series include 10-A and 25-A JBS diodes in die form, ready for integration into 1700-V power modules ranging from 50 to 600 A. The new 1700-V JBS series can increase the efficiency, reliability, and longevity of power systems while also reducing overall system size, weight, and cost.

Cree Inc., 4600 Silicon Dr., Durham, NC 27703. Phone: (800) 533-2583

The IR3521 and IR3529 XPhase chipset targets power supplies for AMD processors. The IR3521 XPhase control IC supports high speed (HS) I2C serial communications to provide overall system control, interfacing with any number of phase ICs, each driving and monitoring a single phase. When used with the IR3529 XPhase phase IC, the IR3521 enables phase dropping to significantly improve the light load performance of a power supply.

The IR3529 phase IC features a Power State Indicator (PSI) to maximize efficiency at light loads, as well as enhanced driver capability and reduced non-overlap time. Turbo is also included to improve load turn-on response. In addition, the IR3529 incorporates novel features that greatly enhance the transient response of the converter to reduce overall size and cost.

The IR3521 control IC provides outputs for both the VDD core and VDDNB auxiliary planes required by the AMD CPU and features high speed error amplifiers with wide bandwidth of 20 MHz and a fast slew rate of 10V/µsec. Remote sense amplifiers provide differential sensing and require less than 50 µA bias current. In addition, the new device offers a high level of programmability including programmable Dynamic VID slew rates, VID Offset (VDD output only), output impedance (VDD output only), and dynamic OC for IDD spike.

The IR3529 phase IC features anti-bias circuitry, 7-V/4-A gate drivers (6-A GATE L sink current) and supports loss-less inductor current sensing and a converter output voltage up to 5.1 V. The new device also implements cycle-by-cycle over-current protection to resolve high repetition load transients.

International Rectifier, 233 Kansas St., El Segundo, CA 90245.
Phone: (310) 252-7105.

A new line-up of high efficiency external power adapters includes 12 and 24-W wall adapters and a 12 W desktop adapter. All meet Level V efficiency standards, are Energy Star version 2.0 certified, and exceed the current U.S. EISA 2007 efficiency regulations.

The EPSA and ETSA series include UL safety approvals and can operate off a universal input (90 to 264 Vac). Output voltages supported are: 5, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 V (12 W desktop); 5, 6, 9, and 12 V (12 W wall); and 12, 15, and 24 V (24 W wall). Short-circuit and over-voltage protections are included. With typical efficiency above 82% and no load power consumption 0.3 W, this series is suitable for applications where power consumption is a critical consideration.

CUI Inc., 20050 SW 112 Ave., Tualatin, OR 97062.
Phone: 800-275-4899