Powering chips and systems from FPGAs to shipboard equipment

DC/DC converters for FPGAs

The EM2120, EM2130, and EM2140 comprise a family of pin-compatible 20-A, 30-A, and 40-A fully digital DC/DC step-down converters designed to address growing FPGA and embedded-system power challenges.

The midrange EM2130 fully integrated 30-A PowerSoC synchronous buck converter is suited for powering Intel FPGAs and systems requiring power and offers high density in a small footprint. The EM2130 features an advanced digital controller, gate drivers, synchronous MOSFET switches, and a high-performance inductor. A PMBus version 1.2-compliant interface provides setup, control, and telemetry. Only input and output filter capacitors and a few small signal components are required for a complete solution.

Applications include high-performance FPGA supply rails, ASIC and processor supply rails, and high-density double-data-rate memory VDDQ rails. Intel Enpirion

Modular power supplies

CoolX600 Series 600-W convection-cooled modular power supplies now are available with a PMBus communication option. The CoolX Series PMBus interface facilitates the communication of operating parameters, such as output voltage, output current, and internal temperature, with other PMBus-enabled devices. It also provides the remote adjustment of parameters, such as output voltage level and current limit, as well as control features, such as power supply and individual output enable/inhibit.

The CoolX600 delivers 600 W of output power without fan-assisted cooling from a compact 8.5 x 4.5 x 1U package. Typical efficiency is greater than 93%, and it offers a typically 25% longer lifetime than competitive power supplies, the manufacturer said. The supply comes with a five-year warranty.

Enhanced thermal performance for the CoolX Series may be obtained with system fans or additional external conduction cooling, resulting in even higher system reliability. Other features include 4-kV input surge immunity, the capability to withstand input voltages of up to 300 VAC, SEMI F47 compliance, and operation at 5,000-m altitude. A 25-W standby power output—offering, effectively, another output for system intelligence, cooling fans, displays, etc.—is a standard feature. Excelsys Technologies

UPS with SiC

SUMMIT Series UPS systems employ SiC transistors, the next generation of power modules that replace traditional insulated-gate bipolar transistors. They produce higher switching frequencies, lower switching losses, and improved thermal conductivity. The vendor’s high-performance 500-kVA and 750-kVA three-phase UPS models with SiC-based technology allow data centers to operate at higher efficiencies, resulting in reduced cooling costs, the vendor reports. Designed for data centers and other demanding mission-critical applications, the SUMMIT Series models offer a flat efficiency curve providing 98% efficiency down to a 30% load, which translates to lower energy usage and lower cost of ownership. Mitsubishi Electric

Touchscreen monitor function

A unique touchscreen monitor user-interface mode for the AFX Series programmable AC and DC power sources extends the front-panel LCD touch and keypad controls onto a large, high-resolution monitor with touch capability.

Both the instrument screen information and touchscreen version of the front-panel keyboard can be displayed on a large monitor connected via the HDMI connector on the front of the AFX power source. The result is an easy-to-read visual display with a large, touch-operated keyboard directly below it. All function and menu keys carry over to the monitor display as well.

Typical applications for this enhanced and larger user interface are operator training and seminar presentations. The large display also allows a test engineer to monitor equipment under test operation from across a lab or control room without having to be directly in front of the actual instrument. Switching between external monitor and front-panel controls can be accomplished by plugging the HDMI cable in or out. A range of monitor sizes and resolutions is supported, enabling the operator to use existing available monitors for this feature.

The AFX Series is available in output power levels ranging from 6 kVA to 60 kVA. Capabilities include a 15-Hz to 1,200-Hz frequency range, a single 300-Vrms constant-power-mode voltage range, programmable rms or DC and peak current limit functions, and the vendor’s PPSC Studio Windows control software. Pacific Power Source

Production test systems

The Procyon line of integrated production test systems incorporates the vendor’s programmable DC and AC sources and programmable electronic loads.

All Procyon ATE systems feature an open architecture supporting LXI, IEEE, VXI, PXI, and AXIe protocols facilitating integration of commercial off-the shelf third-party instruments, such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and industrial rack-mounted computer hardware. While each Procyon system is tailored to meet specific requirements, the system’s modularity and interoperability allow for easy modification, expansion, or upgrade. The result is a cost-effective and flexible solution when compared to custom test systems.

By utilizing modular, programmable, autoranging DC sources, test conditions requiring constant power output over widely varying load conditions can be accommodated. This eliminates, in many cases, the need for multiple DC sources in the system. And by utilizing programmable, regenerative electronic loads, up to 95% of the load power can be returned to the source. This not only reduces costly energy consumption, but also allows for the system to operate without need for a noisy blower or expensive external cooling to exhaust heat from within the ATE rack. Intepro Systems

Shipboard COTS supply

The new DCS1000T-1, P/N 94039-1, has been enhanced to meet the shipboard input-power requirements of MIL-STD-1399, Section 300B. It also includes numerous MIL-STD design factors to meet input power and environmental parameters for land and airborne use as well as shipboard applications. P/N 94039-1 is an example of what can be achieved via the vendor’s COTS Reconfiguration Program, which specializes in modifying power supplies to meet new requirements without the high cost of custom designs.

P/N 94039-1 input is power-factor corrected, and it accepts voltages from 85 to 265 VAC and frequencies from 47 to 440 Hz. It offers two at 20-VDC at 6.25-A outputs and one 24-VDC at 16.7-A output. In addition to being deigned to meet both MIL-STD-1399 and MIL-STD-704 input power requirements, it also can meet MIL-STD-901 and MIL-STD-810 for shock, MIL-STD-167 and MIL-STD-810 for vibration and humidity, and MIL-STD-461C/D and RE102 (with proper shielding) for EMI/EMC.

Protection from short circuit, overcurrent, overvoltage, and over temperature are standard. At 11.32 L x 5 W x 2.0 H inches, the compact unit fits into tight spaces. Behlman Electronics

Tower-configured UPS

The new 700-VA to 3-kVA tower-configured SC UPS protects IT/IoT and telecommunications equipment, servers, security systems, programmable logic controllers, and other power-sensitive electronic systems against costly power disruptions.

The models incorporate several features including advanced digital signal processors, SMD technology, multimode operation, intelligent self-diagnostics, and battery boost circuits. These technologies enable a robust and reliable UPS system by using fewer components. The SC UPS also features five-year long-life hot-swap batteries.

The SC UPS accepts a range of input voltages and frequencies, ensuring comprehensive protection against damaging power transients. For UPS management, the SC’s LCD provides easy access to UPS status and load levels. For applications requiring longer backup times during a power outage, the vendor offers optional external battery banks.

The SC models are supplied with software to support unattended shutdown, UPS management, data logging, and power diagnostic tools. Falcon Electric

Programmable supplies

The BENCH XR line of 600-W programmable supplies provides accurate point-of-load voltage regulation over a range of load conditions—without the use of an auxiliary remote-sense circuit. Remote sense is implemented utilizing the vendor’s patent-pending digital control to instantaneously adjust the voltage at the output terminals in response to changes in output current. This technique eliminates output noise that is often introduced by conventional remote-sense wiring. In addition, by eliminating the remote sense wiring, the BENCH XR is not susceptible to failures caused by ground loops or reverse-polarity sense-wiring connections.

The BENCH XR supplies are packaged in a compact 1U, half-rack-width enclosure. Five models provide output voltage and current ranging from 30 V to 400 V and 2.5 A to 33 A. Digital display of output current and point-of-load voltage is provided. Multiple standard I/O interfaces (Ethernet, USB 2.0, and analog) facilitate setup and operation of test protocols. The BENCH XR Series supports SCPI. Price is $1,295. Versatile Power