Several safety features now found in gate driver integrated circuits make it easier for automotive system designs to get ASIL certification. David Divins • Infineon Technologies The Automotive Safety Integrity Level (ASIL) is a risk classification system defined by the ISO 26262 standard for the functional safety of road vehicles. There are four ASIL safety […]
Power Electronic Tips
Where depletion-mode power MOSFETs excel
Depletion-mode MOSFETs have qualities that let them work well in several kinds of power-handling circuits. Aalok Bhatt, José Padilla, Raymon Zhou • Littelfuse, Inc. Most MOSFETs are enhancement-mode (EM) devices: When their gate-source voltage is zero, they don’t conduct. When the need is for a switch that is normally on when there is no power […]
Calculations reveal the value of efficiency
A few back-of-the-envelope estimates show why it pays to maximize power supply efficiency. Chris Harman • Puls l.p. Engineers are becoming more sensitive to efficiency when selecting a power supply. Energy flows through the supply, and something less than 100% of that energy can be used because of inefficiencies of power supply components. The difference […]
High-voltage 10-kV supplies include high-voltage flying lead
Dean Technology, Inc. announced the introduction of a new series of high voltage power supplies designed specifically for higher voltage applications needing a biasing module. The new UMR-A-10000 series, which is another extension of the existing UMR Collection of power supplies, offers output voltages up to 10kV, input voltages at 12 or 24V, and power […]
Cellular-based remote RF wireless charging platform eliminates IoT batteries
Powercast Corporation has created a unique cellular-based RF Power-Over-Distance Wireless Charging Platform, built around Sequans Monarch cellular IoT connectivity technology. Powercast will demonstrate the solution at Mobile World Congress in Las Vegas, September 28 – 30, booth w2.1226. Operating in the lower 600 – 900 MHz frequency bands licensed by mobile carriers, the Powercast cellular-based RF Wireless […]
Buck dc-dc converter IC features built-in MOSFET for automotive apps
ROHM Semiconductor today announced the BD9S402MUF-C, a new buck DC/DC converter IC with built-in MOSFET (switching regulator) for automotive applications such as infotainment and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) incorporating onboard sensors and cameras that are becoming more advanced. In recent years, safety requirements in the automotive sector have increased as technological innovations in accident prevention and autonomous driving continue […]
Half-brick 200/300-W converters feature 43-160-V inputs for rail, industrial apps
TDK Corporation announces the introduction of the 200W and 300W rated TDK-Lambda CN-B110 series of half brick DC-DC converters. Capable of operating from a wide input voltage of 43 to 160Vdc the converters are compatible with 72Vdc or 110Vdc nominal railway systems. Applications include rolling stock, railway trackside equipment, robotics, AGVs, and scientific research equipment. […]
Flyback PWM controller ICs run in quasi-resonant mode to boost efficiency
Elevation Semiconductor announced the release of its two high-efficiency power ICs with smaller footprints for fast-charging solutions. The HL9510 and HL9512 are flyback PWM controller ICs that operate in a quasi-resonant (QR) mode to significantly enhance the system efficiency and power density. Both ICs offer constant output voltage regulation through the optocoupler feedback controller or […]
Efficient ad/dc conversion technique needs no PFC inductor
Pulsiv emerged from stealth mode, with the announcement of its new power electronics technology. Pulsiv OSMIUM uses a patented method for converting AC to DC that involves charging/discharging a small storage capacitor without the need for a PFC inductor. This unique solution delivers a high power factor, consistently high efficiency, and an ultra-compact system design. Pulsiv OSMIUM […]
Vertical power delivery enables cutting-edge processing
New architectures deliver more efficient power for today’s unprecedented high-performance computing demands. Ajith Jain • Vicor Corp. High-performance artificial intelligence (AI) processor power levels continue to rise and core voltages are declining with advanced process nodes. These developments are challenging power system designers with managing ever-rising power delivery network (PDN) impedance voltage drops, voltage gradients […]