Notable & Newsworthy

June 2023
Exploring Solutions for Energy-efficient Data Centers

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Figure 1. Data center power architectures. Unregulated IBC for high-density applications, such as AI, accelerator cards (left), and 12-V regulated common rail (right)

Data centers consume vast volumes of power, meaning even the most minor improvements in their performance efficiency translate into significant power savings. This article explores two novel power conversion topologies from Infineon - the Dual-stage Regulated Hybrid Switched Capacitor (DR-HSC) converter and the R
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Date:
06/30/2023
PSDcast – Solving the Energy Crisis and Supporting the Renewable Energy Transition

Dr. Tej Gidda, Global Leader for Future Energy at GHD

Against the backdrop of an ever-warming planet, heightened geopolitical tensions and energy security concerns globally – all of which threaten to derail the shift to a net zero future – how can we de-risk the energy transition? Dr. Tej Gidda, Global Leader for Future Energy at GHD is here to discuss.
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Date:
06/16/2023
PSDcast – Battery Formation and Test

Jeff Myatt, Senior Marketing Manager, with Vicor

Research firm MarketandMarkets estimates HV batteries will grow at a CAGR of nearly 39 percent between 2018 and 2025 when it will reach a market size of more than $89 billion. One of the biggest impediments to this growth curve is the high cost of battery formation and test, which accounts for as much as
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Date:
06/15/2023
PSDcast - Producing Green Energy

Marty Neese - CEO Verdagy

­Verdagy has released a solution that, according to their asscoiated white paper, helps drive down the investment and energy costs needed for the industrial-scale production of green hydrogen. And on the line to discuss it is Verdagy CEO Marty Neese.
Date:
06/09/2023
Pre-Charge Circuits in High-Voltage Systems

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Figure 1: Pre-charge Initial State

­An inrush current, also referred to as input surge current, or switch on surge, is the high current, which is often drawn when circuits are initially switched on. Power converters can have inrush currents that are many times higher than their steady-state currents. This is due to the initial charging current of
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Date:
06/01/2023
Europe Lays its Chips on the Table

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

­The EU has finally passed its Chips Act. According to the EU, the European Chips Act was designed to address semiconductor shortages and strengthen Europe’s technological leadership. The act will make more than € 43 billion of public and private investments available to build a European based semiconductor su
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Date:
06/01/2023
China Wants Homegrown AI to Reflect Domestic Politics

Jason Lomberg, North American Editor, PSD

­Believe it or not, but this is good news…just not for the reasons you might think. In the last several years, artificial intelligence has exploded, with the global market worth about $137 billion in 2022. AI has become the topic du jour in the tech world. Will it make our lives easier? Is the robo-apoc
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Date:
06/01/2023
Meeting the Challenges of Higher-Power LED Lighting Applications

Kevin Parmenter, Director, Applications Engineering. TSC, America

­The global lighting market is projected to reach $163.72 billion by 2027, up from $118.33 billion in 2019,  according to a recent report by Fortune Business Insights.  Of all the most popular lighting technologies available – LEDs, CFLS, HIDs, halogens, incandescent -- LEDs have the highest market sh
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Date:
06/01/2023
LED Driver Topology Guide for Automotive Applications

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Figure 1. Buck converter example: LT3932

­In many systems — including the myriad of regulators deployed in automotive power delivery systems —the design of power conversion regulators is often a difficult and complex task. This article aims to simplify the selection process by explaining the benefits, trade-offs, and applications for different sw
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Date:
06/01/2023
Light, Efficient LED Power Design Uses 48V and Power Modules

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­LED technology has advanced by leaps and bounds in the last decade, in many cases displacing LCD technology.  We are most familiar with the changes we have seen as our consumer televisions have gotten progressively thinner, lighter yet larger and more energy efficient.  But even more significant ad
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Date:
06/01/2023
The Spectrum of the Smart City

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Table 1: Find your best source

­Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation that has a constant influence on people, flora, fauna, and on technologies. The different wavelengths of this radiation are used in a variety of established, as well as cutting-edge, applications. Since the end of the 20th century, it was impossible to imagine medical di
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Date:
06/01/2023
Precision Thin Film Resistors – Nichrome vs Tantalum Nitride – a Comparison

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Figure 1: Precision Chip Resistors

­The two main resistive materials used in the manufacturing of precision chip resistors are nichrome (NiCr) and tantalum nitride (TaN).  This article will discuss the similarities and differences between resistors made with these two material types; from manufacturing to material properties to overall el
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Date:
06/01/2023
Powering Indoor Farms Efficiently with Centralized Power

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Figure 1: Data centers bending the energy usage curve

­Indoor horticulture relies on creating an environment for plants to grow with controlled heating, cooling and lighting – without relying on the sun – which require electrical energy. With rising energy costs and, in some areas, scarcity of supply, farmers are seeking systems that are reliable, cont
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Date:
06/01/2023
Passing EMI/EMC Tests is a Challenge

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Figure 1: Reference design to meet Class B emissions and Class IV immunity from CUI Inc’s PBO-15C datasheet

­Electrical and electronic systems generate electromagnetic fields that can interfere with other electronic products unless steps are taken to avoid it. All electronics products must demonstrate that they conform to standards regarding electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The sources a
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Date:
06/01/2023
Power ICs Integrate Fast, Autonomous, Precise Protection Circuits for Ultimate System Robustness

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Figure 1: Device overload causes high temperatures and destruction

­As maximum load requirements increase and size decreases, the current, power and thermal stress also increases for the power switching device. The need to protect against overload conditions becomes paramount. As switching frequency increases, the need for faster fault detection, reaction, and protection times be
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Date:
06/01/2023
Bringing a Digital Dimension to Revolutionary Smart Shunt Technology

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Figure 1: A Riedon SSD Smart Shunt

­By achieving high efficiency levels, environmental guidelines can be adhered to and electricity consumption costs made more manageable. Conversely, elevated efficiency levels must be maintained in places where energy is being generated, so that it can always be used to full effect.  There are many high
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Date:
06/01/2023
Lighting the Way into Summer

Ally Winning, European Editor, PSD

I can’t believe that half the year has gone already. It seems hardly any time has passed since the start of the year and we are are already in the month with the longest day! June is my favourite month in Scotland. Because of the country’s northerly location, it is light right up until 11pm, and then the su
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Date:
06/01/2023
Shining a Light on PCIM

Shining a Light on PCIM

­Summer’s right around the corner, but last month, it was PCIM Europe bringing the heat! One of the kings amongst trade shows, PCIM Europe has called Nuremburg home since 1979, with a legacy stretching back further than all but a scant few events like electronica, CES, and several others. It’s cert
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Date:
06/01/2023
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