Stacked-load schemes have made power conversion more economical in server racks. New developments in this technology promise to provide additional gains in efficiency. Laszlo Lipcsei, Alexandr Ikriannikov, Di Yao — Maxim Integrated, now part of Analog Devices Load currents continue to rise in server applications while rail voltages tend to drop. Consequently, the conduction losses […]
FAQ
Clearing up confusion about tracking multiple current levels
Multichannel power monitors help simplify battery-based systems employing multiple current sensors. Mitch Polonsky • Microchip Technology Inc. Designers of power systems can be forgiven for having some confusion about power monitors. Some of them may even be using a multichannel power monitor without knowing it. That’s because, regrettably, several different phrases are used to refer […]
Comparing IGBT and SiC MOSFET PIMs in solar inverters
Side-by-side performance comparisons can show where silicon-carbide excels in PV installations. Steven Shackell • onsemi According to the International Energy Agency, solar power (PV) installations are on track to reach an installed capacity of 3,300 TWh by 2030, a yearly growth rate of 15% from 2019. Installations will be a mix of micro, mini and […]
Inside a modern power management IC
PMICs today do a lot more than just regulate voltages. Here’s a look at high-end functions these devices provide. Narasimhan Trichy • Qorvo Superior power management and high efficiency have become essential as electronics have become increasingly smaller and more streamlined. The reduction of power dissipation and consequent heat and thermal issues is critical to […]
Gains from GaN
Energy efficiencies made possible by gallium-nitride semiconductors are starting to impact every day products. Paul Wiener • GaN Systems, Inc. | Ron Stull • CUI, Inc. Wide-bandgap power semiconductors are in production now and recommended for new designs. The earliest adopters among power supply OEMs have already begun introducing new product lines employing this technology […]
Identifying the right medical power supply
Special considerations apply for power supplies when even small electrical currents pose a shock hazard. Dermot Flynn, Chris Jones • Advanced Energy The consequences of leakage current came to the forefront in the 1970s, and since then technical standards for the safety and effectiveness of medical electrical equipment have evolved to become the most stringent […]
Advanced current sensing for next-gen electronics
Contactless current sensing provides the fast response that state-of-the-art power circuits depend on. Michael DiGangi • ACEINNA The next generation of electronic products will be more powerful and flexible than ever. The advanced circuitry to drive them needs intelligent power management to realize the desired performance. Application spaces like robotics and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) rely […]
Battery safety standards and testing
Lithium-ion battery (LIB) safety is a major concern for designers. LIBs are generally safe to use if they have been properly manufactured and are integrated correctly into systems. However, the use of sub-standard materials and the possibility of manufacturing or design defects can result in hazardous conditions. As a result, there are many global safety […]
Transformers for ultrasonic sensing applications
Ultrasonic sensing is used in various automotive and industrial applications ranging from liquid level sensing to robot obstacle detection and automated parking assistance. Transformer-based designs can produce highly accurate solutions with maximum ranging distances. This FAQ will review several applications for ultrasonic sensing, compare the capabilities of transformer drive with direct drive solutions, and then […]
Magnetics for Power over Ethernet
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) delivers power to remote powered devices (PDs) over twisted-pair Ethernet cables up to 100 meters long. Over time, the standard has evolved and can now deliver up to 71W, making it useful for a wide variety of applications, including network routers and repeaters, VoIP phones, IP security cameras, wireless and Bluetooth access points, […]