Part 1 of this FAQ discussed development and designation of basic DC power rails. Part 2 looks at key specifications of these rails, and management of single- and multi-rail systems. Q: What’s an important point to remember whenever discussing voltage? A: The tendency is to say “this voltage rail is at such-and-such voltage” or “the […]
Power Management
DC power rails, Part 1: Basics and designations
Most circuits and systems now run on DC-voltage power rails. That simple statement glosses over the wide range of voltages, issues of tolerance and ripple, designations of these rails, and management of both single and multiple rails. This FAQ will explore those uses. Q: Why are DC rails so important? A: They are the pathways […]
Power analyzer performs compliance testing without PC-based software
Vitrek had introduced the latest generation of its popular line of power analyzers, now equipped with the built-in capability to conduct compliance testing to a number of key environmental performance standards. The PA900 Precision Multi-channel Harmonic Power Analyzer can be set up to analyze the power output or consumption of the device under test and automatically […]
High-efficiency PoE chips target IP cameras, wireless access points, IP phones and smart lighting
Two new Power over Ethernet (PoE) Powered Device (PD) families called the Si3406x and Si3404 families include all necessary high-voltage discrete components on a single PD chip. The new PD ICs support IEEE 802.3 at PoE+ power capabilities, flexible power conversion options exceeding 90% efficiency, robust sleep/wake/LED support modes, and superior EMI immunity. These capabilities […]
New 1-MHz active clamp flyback chipset ,6-A three-level buck battery charger cut power supply size and charge time
Texas Instruments (TI) today introduced several new power management chips that enable designers to boost efficiency and shrink power-supply and charger solution sizes for personal electronics and handheld industrial equipment. Operating at up to 1 MHz, TI’s new chipset combines the UCC28780 active clamp flyback controller and the UCC24612 synchronous rectifier controller to help cut […]
Work progresses toward super-fast EV charging
Lengthy waits at the local charging station may be a thing of the past for electric vehicle owners thanks to efforts aimed at fast charging at 350 kW, handling full EV recharges in as little as 10 minutes. Today, owners of electric vehicles have three options for recharging at public stations. Level 1 (about 1 […]
LED drivers in ultra-low profile suitable for LED edge-lighting
In response to growing demand for smaller LED lighting installations that also provide high efficiency and ultra-low EMI, Diodes Incorporated has extended its popular BCR420U and BCR421U families of linear LED drivers to include the BCR420UFD and BCR421UFD devices in the ultra-low profile DFN2020 package, making them well-suited for 12V and 24V LED edge-lighting applications. […]
Ultra-Low-Power battery protection IC targets wearables and small IoT devices
The GLF73510 IQSmart IC is designed to virtually eliminate wearable and IoT device battery discharge during standby or deep-sleep operation. The GLF73510 consumes an industry-leading ultra-low leakage current (ISD) of 2 nA (typ.), as much as 1,000 times less than other chips commonly used in this application. Applications for wearable and smaller IoT battery powered […]
High-voltage smart sensor data-acquisition device targets vehicle lithium-ion battery packs
Automotive OEMs can enhance the safety of their lithium-ion battery packs with robust communications, comprehensive diagnostics, and lower system costs using the MAX17843 12-channel, high-voltage smart sensor data-acquisition device from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. Electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid EVs, and plug-in hybrids rely on large lithium-ion battery packs filled with hundreds or even thousands of individual battery […]
Top power electronics stories of 2017
Here are the power electronics features that got the most interest from readers in 2017. Teardown: Inside Ikea’s smart LED bulb As smart LED bulbs go, this one is pretty simple. It doesn’t incorporate any sort of smartphone app and can’t be controlled over the Internet, like some other smart bulbs […]