APEC 2013 New Product Introductions

Efficient Power Conversion Corporation(EPC) introduces the EPC9010 development board to make it easier for engineers to start designing with a 100 V enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) field effect transistor (FET) in applications such as high-speed DC-DC power supplies, point-of-load converters, class D audio amplifiers, hard-switched and high frequency circuits.

The EPC9010 development board is a 100 V maximum device voltage, 7 A maximum output current, half bridge with onboard gate drives, featuring the EPC2016 enhancement mode (eGaN) field effect transistor (FET). The purpose of this development board is to simplify the evaluation process of eGaN FETs by including all the critical components on a single board that can be easily connected into any existing converter.

The EPC9010 development board is 2” x 1.5” and contains not only two EPC2016 eGaN FET in a half bridge configuration using the LM5113 gate driver from Texas Instruments, as well as supply and bypass capacitors. The board contains all critical components and layout for optimal switching performance. There are also various probe points to facilitate simple waveform measurement and efficiency calculation.

A Quick Start Guide, http://epc-co.com/epc/documents/guides/EPC9010_qsg.pdf, is included with the EPC9010 development board for reference and ease of use.

EPC9010 development boards are priced at $99.00 each and are available for immediate delivery from Digi-Key.

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC)

El Segundo, CA

http://www.epc-co.com

64-kB Digital Power Controller

Expanding its broad portfolioof analog and digital power management products, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) introduced a highly integrated and configurable digital power management controller with 64 kB of program Flash memory for AC/DC and isolated DC/DC power supplies.

The UCD3138064 employs a unique memory partitioning architecture that gives users the ability to simultaneously write to and execute from different portions of the on-chip memory and dynamically switch execution between the various firmware images using appropriate algorithms. This capability reduces downtime in servers and telecom infrastructure equipment.

Features include a  64-kB program Flash memory that can support digital controller sockets in AC/DC power supplies that require greater than 32 kB of memory. Multiple system communication options, such as UART, PMBus™, I2C and serial peripheral interface (SPI), easily interface with multiple devices on the system, including peer controllers, power metering ASICs and external EEPROM memory. The controller supports all isolated power supply topologies.

The UCD3138064 is offered in a 64-pin, 9-mm by 9-mm QFN package priced at US $4.90. The UCD3138064EVM-166 evaluation module is priced at US $49. Samples and production lots are available.

Texas Instruments

Dallas, TX

http://www.ti.com

1600 Watt Power Supply with Digital Controls

A 1600W single-output AC-DC power supply from TDK-Lambda, the RFE1600, comes in a low profile package (less than 1U high) for use in standalone or distributed power architectures.  The supplies are suited applications requiring reliable 12 V, 24 V or 48 VDC bulk power. The output voltage is user adjustable enabling the RFE1600 to be used in a variety of customized applications.

Operating efficiencies of up to 92% minimizes wasted heat dissipation and system cooling issues.  With a universal input of 85 to 265 VAC with PFC, typical applications for the RFE1600 supplies include communications, factory automation, test/measurement, robotics and broadcast/RF amplifiers. Models with a “/S” suffix include the optional I²C/PMBus serial communications port for remote control and monitoring.

These supplies can be used individually or up to 10 units can be connected in parallel for high power or N+1 redundant power systems, facilitated via built-in ORing FETs and active current share ports.  Each power supply has two variable-speed cooling fans and the supplies can operate in temperatures ranging from -10 to +70°C. The RFE1600 has a high power density of 23.5 W/in3 with dimensions of 12.6 x 3.35 x 1.61 inches. Standard features include overvoltage, overcurrent and overtemperature protection,  remote On/Off control, and an auxiliary 12 V/0.5 A output. Besides being EN55022 and FCC EMC compliant (achieving class B conducted, and Class A radiated emissions), the RFE1600 series are certified to UL/EN 60950-1, 2nd Edition, safety requirements and carries the CE Mark.

These units are priced at $690.00 each in 25 piece quantities.

TDK-Lambda

San Diego, CA

http://www.tdk-lambda

Superjunction MOSFETs Feature Reduced Gate Charge

STMicroelectronics has announcedspecial fast-acting variants of its advanced superjunction power MOSFETs used in energy-efficient consumer products, computing and telecom systems, lighting controllers and solar energy equipment.

The latest devices step up efficiency in the type of power supplies often used in equipment such as mid-sized televisions in the 200-500 W power range. If fitted in each of the 200 million LCD TVs produced each year, the new MDmesh II Plus Low Qg (low gate charge) power transistors featuring reduced gate charge could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 140,000 tons per year, equivalent to taking around 30,000 passenger vehicles off the road.

Perfected only by a small number of manufacturers, superjunction technology allows power transistors to combine small size, high voltage capacity, and outstanding energy efficiency when turned on. ST is a world leader in this type of technology with its MDmesh power MOSFETs, and now delivers even better performance with its latest MDmesh II Plus™ Low Qg family. These devices feature a reduced internal charge for high efficiency when switching as well as when conducting, saving even more energy in resonant-type power supplies.

The enhanced design of the new devices results in a low gate charge (Qg) as well as low input and output capacitance. Each of these factors contributes to faster and more efficient switching, which encourages designers to use superjunction transistors in the resonant type of power supplies typically seen in LCD TVs. Until now, superjunction transistors have been used most effectively in hard-switching topologies, where the device is made to switch even while the current and voltage remain high.  The new MDmesh II PlusTM Low Qg family is also highly resistant to the effects of large and sudden changes in applied voltage (high dv/dt ruggedness), which can damage transistors and cause spurious switching. This allows the latest devices to perform reliably even when exposed to large voltage transients such as noise and harmonics on AC power lines.

Features of the MOSFETs include:

• On-state resistance (RDS(ON)): 190 mΩ

• Breakdown voltage: 600 V

• Maximum continuous drain current (ID): 18 A

• dv/dt ruggedness: 50 V/ns

• 100% avalanche tested

The first MDmesh II PlusTM Low Qg device to enter production is the STP24N60M2 in the TO-220 package. Unit pricing is $2.50 for volumes in the range of 1,000 pieces.

STMicroelectronics 

Geneva, Switzerland

http://www.st.com

Single-Phase Energy-Measurement Processors Accurately Monitor Power

The 78M6610+PSU/78M6610+LMUsingle-phase energy-measurement processors from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., are an energy-measurement subsystems on a single chip. They provide simple utility-grade sensing and diagnostics for existing designs without the traditional cost of a utility meter system-on-chip. Both devices contain unique firmware to meet end application requirements. The 78M6610+PSU is specifically designed for real-time monitoring of data centers, servers, and telecom and data equipment, while the 78M6610+LMU is a more general-purpose solution for applications such as white-good appliances, smart plugs, EV chargers, and solar inverters.

The 78M6610 processors enable energy-measurement functionality while reducing both manufacturing costs and time to market. Energy-measurement solutions traditionally required the use of an additional microcontroller, which adds significant design cost and months of development time. The 78M6610 allow users to conveniently add a complete energy meter to an already existing design without significant cost or redesign. Additionally, the processors’ flexible measurement and host interfaces allow for easy integration into any system.

Features:

• High performance: utility-grade sensing over the entire dynamic range of load current and power-down modes

• Reduced bill of materials (BOM) costs: internal RC oscillator and low baud rate serial interface eliminate the need for expensive and fragile crystals.

• Simplicity: firmware is optimized for end applications so design-in is greatly simplified.

• The 78M6610+PSU is available in a 24-pin QFN and 16-pin TSSOP package.

• The 78M6610+LMU is available in a 24-pin QFN package.

• The 78M6610+PSU/78M6610+LMU pricing starts at $1.99 (1000-up, FOB USA).

Maxim Inc.

Sunnyvale, Ca

www.maxim-ic.com

InRush Current Limiting
NTC Thermistors

The Surge-Gard™inrush current limiting devices from API Technologies Corp.  are designed to limit the inrush current that occurs when power is applied. Surge-Gard NTC thermistors help reduce circuit failures and lower rectifier costs by reducing required peak forward surge current ratings. Featuring steady state current ratings ranging from 1 to 36 amps and resistance values from 0.5 Ω to 220 Ω, Surge-Gard is manufactured using specially formulated metal oxide ceramic materials that allow the thermistors to suppress high inrush current surges.

Inrush current limiting NTC thermistors are ideal for switching power supplies where the low impedance of the charging capacitor exposes the diode bridge rectifier to an excessively high current surge at turn-on. They offer maximum current protection when the power supply is turned on, allowing the design engineer to select lower peak current rated diode bridge rectifiers for use in the switching power supply.

API offers fast prototyping of custom designs that utilize the new Surge-Gard as well as a wide variety of lead gauges and configurations. API’s in-house design capabilities, diagnostic testing, and world-class manufacturing offers application-specific products that lower costs and reduce time to market. API Technologies Corp.

Orlando, FL

http://www.apitech.com/

DC-to-DC Buck Converters

The latest-generationSuperSwitcher II™ family of integrated MOSFET buck regulators from Micrel, Inc., are optimized for the 12 V rails, with 6 A/9 A/12 A output supply current.  The new MIC2405x family comprises six common-footprint, DC-to-DC buck regulators that leverage Micrel’s proprietary HyperSpeed Control™ and HyperLight Load® architectures.  The devices provide flexible, cost-effective solutions for distributed power systems, communications networking and infrastructure, and industrial applications.

The MIC2405x family of devices (MIC24051/2/3/4/5/6) operates with a single-input supply voltage from 4.5 V to 19 V, and delivers output currents of 6 A, 9 A and 12 A respectively, all in small footprint MLF-28, 5mmx 6mm packages.  The common footprint shared by all devices in this family enables current scalability which in turn provides design flexibility for the power supply designer.  This family of regulators has been tailored to be Any Capacitor™ stable, independent of the output capacitance Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), thus solving the perpetual problem of stability that power designers face when dealing with distributed output capacitance.  Moreover, these buck regulators provide more than 95 percent peak efficiency and operate at 600 kHz switching frequency with ±1 percent of output voltage accuracy (with output adjustable down to 0.8 V).

Protection feature of the include under-voltage lockout to ensure proper operation under power-sag conditions, thermal shutdown, internal soft start to reduce the inrush current, and foldback current-limit and “hiccup” mode short-circuit protection.  The devices also feature a power good (PG) output to allow simple sequencing.  The MIC2405x regulators are available in a thermally enhanced 28-Lead 5mm x 6mm MLF® package.

The MIC24051/2 (6 A), MIC24053/4 (9 A), MIC24055/6 (12 A) are currently available in volume quantities, with 1,000 quantity pricing starting at $0.91, $1.04 and $1.22, respectively.

Micrel Inc.

San Jose, CA

http://www.micrel.com

Universal Lighting Controller

Domestic, commercial and publiclighting systems can now be made greener, more economical, safer and more flexible, thanks to a unique device introduced by STMicroelectronics. A digital controller specifically optimized for lighting and power-supply applications, the new STLUX385 (Masterlux™ platform) simplifies the design of traditional power-conversion topologies, enabling faster development of innovative lighting systems.

The key to the possibilities to improve the performance of LED, fluorescent and HID (High-Intensity Discharge) lighting systems is STLUX385’s combination of a proven, cost-effective STM8 microprocessor core and a unique set of peripherals aimed at simplifying the design of the lighting power supply and digital control of the lights. Depending on the lighting technology used, the input power source (AC or DC), dimming requirements and safety or reliability issues, many different types of power conversion and control topologies are required in the current and emerging lighting applications and the STLUX385 is reportedly the first device able to address all of these via a single programmable chip.

The controller integrates six specially-designed peripherals called SMED (State Machine, Event-Driven) circuits that interact with each other and with external signals via a programmable switching matrix to control the power delivered to the lighting elements. In addition to the specific application signals, the SMEDs can process external commands to turn the lights on/off or set the dimming level, diagnostic signals such as open- or short-circuit detected, or inputs from sensors in applications where the lighting is designed to adapt to ambient conditions.

The STLUX385 allows sophisticated lighting systems that currently require the use of expensive external Digital Signal Processors to be produced with shorter time-to-market and lower costs. It allows light quality and its perception to be improved through dedicated algorithms and energy saving through high-efficiency conversion algorithms, while allowing new interactions between the user and the lighting system.

The STLUX385 is available now in a compact TSSOP38 package at a price of US$2 in quantities of 1,000 units.

STMicroelectronics

Schaumburg, IL

http://www.st.com

Wirewound Resistors, Heat Sinks

The BA Series of wirewound high-power resistors from Ohmite are ideal for dynamic braking, motor starting, and power control applications. Other uses include inverter and power conversion applications. Available in three extrusion forms, the heatsinkable BA Series resistors feature power ratings of 500-1000 watts and offer multiple opportunities for customization. Options include thermal cut-off, scalable lengths, and custom leads.  Resistance values range from 0.5 ohms to 18K ohms.

 Also available from the company are two new active cooling heat sinks. Ohmite’s C Series heat sink accepts a 40 mm fan, which will make it easy to modify for any high power environment. The company also offers its CP Series of water-cooled heat sinks for its 1000 and 2000 watt TAP Series of resistors.

Ohmite Manufacturing

Arlington Heights, IL

http://www.ohmite.com/

12 V-optimized ZVS Buck Regulators

The Picor Cool-Power® ZVS Buck Regulator product line from Vicor Corp. for high efficiency point-of-load DC-DC regulation has been expanded. Optimized for 12 V operation (8 V to 18 V_IN), these new PI34XX series buck regulators increase performance for embedded applications in computing, telecommunications, industrial and other environments, delivering over 95% peak efficiency for 12 V to 3.3 V regulation and up to 15 A.

The Picor Cool-Power Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) Buck Regulator portfolio has gained acceptance with customers worldwide. The integration of a high performance ZVS topology within a high density (10 mm x 14 mm x 2.6 mm) System-in-Package (SiP) enhances point-of-load DC-DC regulation by reducing the switching losses associated with conventional hard-switching buck regulators. The reduction of switching losses enables a higher efficiency and higher density regulator that is also simple to use. PI34XX series buck regulators integrate control circuitry, power semiconductors and support components within the SiP and require only an external inductor with minimal capacitors to form a complete DC-DC switching mode buck regulator.

Vicor Corp.

Andover, MA

http://www.vicr.com

150 V N-Channel TrenchFET® Power MOSFET

An N-channel TrenchFET® power MOSFET from Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. comes the thermally enhanced PowerPAK® SO-8 package that extends the company’s ThunderFET® technology to 150 V. The SiR872ADP offers low on-resistance of 18 mΩ at 10 V and 23 mΩ at 7.5 V, while maintaining low gate charge, 31 nC typical at 10 V and 22.8 nC typical at 7.5 V.

The device released today is optimized for primary side switching and secondary side synchronous rectification in DC/DC converters, DC/AC inverters, and boost converters for telecom bricks, solar micro-inverters, and brushless DC motors. In these applications, the SiR872ADP offers 45 % lower on-resistance than previous generation devices to reduce conduction losses and improve total system efficiency.

The SiR872ADP provides a low on-resistance times gate charge - a key figure of merit (FOM) for MOSFETs in DC/DC converter applications - of 563.4 mΩ-nC at 10 V and 524 mΩ-nC at 7.5 V. The device’s FOM reduces conduction and switching losses to improve total system efficiency. By providing higher performance than multiple previous generation devices, the MOSFET can potentially reduce the overall component count and simplify designs.

The SiR872ADP is 100 % Rg and UIS tested, halogen free according to the JEDEC JS709A definition, and compliant to RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. The device joins the recently released 100 V SiR846ADP and SiR870ADP and 80 V SiR826ADP ThunderFET MOSFETs, offering designers a variety of medium voltage options in the PowerPAK SO-8 package. Vishay addresses the needs of all power conversion applications through its ThunderFET, TrenchFET Gen IV, and E/D Series MOSFETs.

The MOSFET is priced starting at $0.70 each in 1,000-piece quantities. Samples and production quantities are available now, with lead times of 13 to 14 weeks for large orders.

Vishay Intertechnology Inc.

Malvern, PA

http://www.vishay.com