Insight
Vicor Europe's Quarterly Newsletter
Issue 11 – Spring 2008
Welcome
Welcome to this issue of Vicor’s Insight newsletter which launches a new, advanced, DC-DC power platform, and presents expert technical advice on achieving higher output power, and improved fault tolerance, in systems using multiple power supplies or converters. There are also examples of new and innovative applications for Vicor modules. We hope you enjoy reading Insight and that you will email the Insight editor ( ) with your comments and suggestions.
Andy Gales
VP, International Sales
Vicor News/Product News
New VI BRICK™ advanced DC-DC power platform
By integrating V•I Chip™ technology into traditional brick packages, the new VI BRICK™ modular DC-DC power platform delivers significantly increased power capability and design flexibility. The family’s robust, low-profile brick packages facilitate both thermal management and through-hole assembly.
The 45 modules within the VI BRICK™ family are optimised for a range of DC-DC configurations: Intermediate Bus Architecture or point-of-load (POL) designs that require multiple output voltages; flexible DC-DC regulation and transformation using Factorized Power™; and 48V DC-DC conversion using advanced Sine Amplitude Converter™ technology.
With a fast transient response, VI BRICK™ modules also minimise the need for bulk capacitance storage near the load, which reduces both space and cost.
Intermediate Bus Architecture or point-of-load (POL)
VI BRICK BCM™ modules can be used to provide an isolated intermediate bus to power multiple non-isolated point-of-load (POL) converters, or as an independent power source. Yielding power density of up to 390 W/in³, BCM™ modules are available with input voltages of 48 Vdc, 350 Vdc or 380 Vdc, and output voltages of 1.5 to 48 Vdc. A typical application would be powering individual cards or blades directly from the HV distribution bus, in a high-power, high-efficiency data centre.
Flexible DC-DC conversion with Factorized Power™ technology
VI BRICK PRM™ and VTM™ modules are a flexible and scalable option for DC-DC power conversion, incorporating the advantages of advanced Factorized Power™ technology. These advantages include high power density and efficiency, low-noise operation, and extremely fast transient response. VI BRICK PRM™ and VTM™ modules support a number of design configurations including multiple outputs, high-power arrays, high-current/low voltage, and high voltage, as well as isolated regulation and transformation to simplify thermal management and board layout.
48 V DC-DC conversion with Sine Amplitude Converter™ technology
VI BRICK 48 V DC-DC converters combine leading-edge Sine Amplitude Converter™ technology and advanced CIM processes in a familiar, easy-to-use package. They deliver high power density, superior transient response, and improved thermal management. Their high-speed, 3.5 MHz, zero-current switching (ZCA) and zero-voltage switching (ZVS) design enables efficient and low-noise operation throughout the operating range. Thirteen different models are available with isolated outputs ranging from 1 to 48 Vdc.
The VI BRICK PRM, VTM, and BCM modules have a compact footprint of 2.08 in², (1.91 X 1.09 inches) and a low profile of 0.37 inches, whilst the VI BRICK DC-DC converter modules are 2.19 X 1.91 X 0.37 inches.
For more VI BRICK product information…
Novel Applications
Picor EMI filters used in military vehicle radios
The reliability and compact packages of Vicor Picor modules were key considerations for a Vicor customer in Turkey. The Picor modules are being used to achieve low EMI by reducing switching noise at the converter input, and to reduce the ripple currents at the output of the converter, in multi-band, multi-mode radios designed for use in tactical military vehicles.
The QPI family of active EMI filters provides conducted common-mode (CM) and differential-mode (DM) attenuation from 150 kHz to 30 MHz in the CISPR22 range. The proprietary active filtering circuit provides superior attenuation at low frequencies to comply with EN Class B limits, including PICMG® 3.0 for ATCA boards.
Compared to passive filters, active filtering reduces the volume of the common-mode choke, and allows the use of a low-profile, surface-mount package. This smaller size saves valuable board-space and reduces the height which camn improve airflow in blade applications.
The QPO output ripple attenuator products use proprietary active filtering to reduce power supply output ripple and noise (PARD) over 30 dB from 1 kHz to 500 kHz. QPOs improve transient response, ensure quiet point-of-load regulation and work with most DC-DC converters and switching power supplies. Output regulation is maintained by using remote sensing or the trimmed input of the power supply. Active filtering can also effectively reduce load capacitance by a factor of 10 whilst maintaining comparable transient performance.
For Picor product information...
top »Droop-sharing in a compact satellite up-link
Droop-sharing
is often the easiest and most reliable method of producing a redundant bus
onto a backplane of a rack-based system. The method not only eliminates
the need for a complex and vulnerable communications bus between PSUs, but
also allows the backplane bus voltage to be further stepped-down to lower
voltages to remove the need for absolute and precise regulation. These advantages,
in conjunction with Vicor VI DC-DC converters, are being used in a compact
satellite up-link, capable of fitting into a 3U rack.
The up-link required a distributed bus of +7.2V at 12A and -7.2V at 6A , with two PSUs to provide higher system reliability. Since operation over a wide range of mains networks, and generator supplies, was essential, the designers chose a Vicor VI-27R-EW module and Vicor VI-J7R-EY module to provide a PSU with continuous operating from an 90-264Vac input. The outputs were trimmed down to 7.2V and then OR-ed together using IR low forward voltage drop schottky diodes. Good transient response times were achieved by using a suitable series sense resistor, and a resistor between positive sense and positive output. The result was a system which provided improved regulation, compared to using OR-ing diodes, as well as current-sharing to within 10% which ensured a good transient response.
top »New from Vicor
New catalogue features VI BRICK and new WebExpressCodes
The
new Vicor product catalogue includes the latest VI BRICK DC-DC converters
as well as unique WebExpressCodes for fast access to full product information
on www.vicorpower.com.
The catalogue is available now by registering your details on the link below.
Each product in the new Vicor catalogue includes a unique WebExpressCode which provides direct access to information-rich product pages on www.vicoreurope.com. For fast and easy access to full details, such as product description, operating specifications, datasheets, outline drawings, and configuration tools, simply enter the Web ExpressCode in the search box on the www.vicoreurope.com homepage.
Vicor develops new products all the time, and these could provide the solution to your latest power design challenge. To review the latest products, visit www.vicorpower.com and click on the ‘What’s New’ link for an overview, and links to detailed information on all new Vicor products, as they are released.
V•I Chip™ application notes
A library of V•I Chip™ application notes helps designers to achieve smaller, higher-performance and more cost-effective power systems using Vicor’s latest VI BRICK™ DC-DC power platform.
The Factorized Power Architecture™, enabled by V•I Chip™ technology in the new VI BRICK™ power platform, maximises power system by providing a high degree of system flexibility as well as superior power density, efficiency, transient response, and reliability.
- AN:001 Configuring the Vicor BCM with low power niPOLs
- AN:002 PRM/VTM parallel operation
- AN:003 Powering multiple VTMs with a single PRM
- AN:005 FPA printed-circuit board layout guidelines
- AN:006 A filter solution for the BCM
- AN:007 Using VTMs as 26 – 55 V input bus converters
- AN:008 V•I Chip Bus Converter Module (BCM) thermal management
- AN:009 V•I Chip soldering recommendations
- AN:016 Using BCM™ bus converters in high-power arrays
- AN:017 RoHS-compliant through-hole V•I Chip soldering recommendations
- AN:022 MIL EMI and transient solutions