Power Semiconductors

October 2021
Powering Clustered AI Processors

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Figure 1: PRM™ and VTM™ are the building blocks of FPA. PRMs are selected based on the system input voltage range and power requirements; VTMs are selected based on the output voltage range and current requirements. The PRM can be mounted anywhere in the system where convenient; the VTM should be mounted as close to the processor core as possible

The recent introduction of new clustered AI ASIC processor based supercomputers are pushing the boundaries of power delivery networks to levels that were never imagined just a few years ago. With current levels approaching 100 kiloamps/ASIC cluster, innovation is needed across power system architectures, topologies, con
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Date:
10/27/2021
A Quicker, More Efficient Way to Market for BLDC Designs: Part 1 of 4

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BridgeSwitch Application

Electric motors are currently the largest consumers of electricity in the world by a large margin. The Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) estimates that 45% of all electricity generated globally is consumed by electric motors. Therefore, as part of the push towards higher efficiency, legislation is
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Date:
10/26/2021
Enhance AC Line Switching Efficiency and Reliability in HBA and Smart Home Applications by Using Lossless Zero-Cross Detection: Part 3 of 4

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LinkSwitch-TNZ

Optimizing the performance of devices that turn AC line power on and off is an important consideration in a growing variety of applications, including home/building automation (HBA), Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled appliances, smart switches and plugs, dimmers, and occupancy sensors, and especially in designs tha
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Date:
10/25/2021
Powering IoT Modules w/ Supercapacitors, Solar Panels, and Power Management ICs

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Figure 1: A schematic view of Analog Devices’ LTC31102A, bidirectional, buck-boost DC/DC regulator and charger/balancer

To further improve IoT modules, many manufacturers are developing set-and-forget IoT modules designed to either eliminate batteries or extend battery life so significantly that end-users rarely to never have to concern themselves with powering their IoT modules. In pursuit of this goal, IoT module manufactu
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Date:
10/12/2021
Reliable Power for Global Telecommunications Infrastructure
Building on its proven GP100 rectifier platform, ABB Power Conversion has developed a new lower-voltage, true three-phase, 6-kilowatt (kW) version to provide the power levels needed in telecommunication and networking applications. The low-line rectifiers provide the foundation for a variety of lower-voltage power system
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Date:
10/06/2021
Illinois Tech Professor Joins National Program for STEM Faculty

Georgia Papavasiliou, Professor of Biomedical Engineering in Armour College of Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech)

Georgia Papavasiliou, Professor of Biomedical Engineering in Armour College of Engineering at Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), has been named a fellow in the third cohort of the IAspire Leadership Academy, a leadership program aimed at helping STEM faculty from underrepresented backgrounds ascend to
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Date:
10/06/2021
Murata Announces Engineering Fund at Kennesaw State University

Dean Ian Ferguson with Kennesaw State University

Murata announced that it established the Futoshi “Fred” Chanoki Honorary Engineering Fund at Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SPCEET) at Kennesaw State University (KSU). Named after Murata Electronics North America’s first president, the funding will support the needs of
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Date:
10/05/2021
Three-Phase Input DIN rail Power Supplies w/ +20% Peak Power
TDK Corporation announces the addition of three-phase AC input models to the TDK-Lambda DRB series of economically priced DIN rail mount power supplies. Rated for continuous operation at 120W and 240W with 12V, 24V and 48V outputs, the units can deliver a peak of 144W and 288W for two seconds. This, and a constant cu
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Date:
10/05/2021
$18M Grant to Build National Semiconductor Fabrication Facility

Professor Alan Mantooth from the University of Arkansas

Engineering researchers led by Distinguished Professor Alan Mantooth have received $17.87 million from the National Science Foundation to build and operate a national silicon carbide research and fabrication facility at the University of Arkansas. “The national impact of having a fabrication facility such a
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Date:
10/04/2021
The BYLink Power Management Concept

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Figure 1: General concept of high and low-voltage PMICs connected together

In automotive systems, the 12 V and 24 V supply from the battery is used and derived in multiple supply rails to satisfy the system power demand. NXP’s portfolio of safety PMICs with embedded system features can be classified in two main categories: the high-voltage PMICs (HV PMIC) and low-voltage PMICs (LV PM
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Date:
10/01/2021
Negative Resistance: Selecting the Optimal Capacitor for Your DC-DC Converter

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Figure 1: An example of a standard dc-dc converter application

If your DC-DC converter doesn’t work, you might check all the obvious causes that it could stem from - such as it not being plugged in correctly, not turned on, the input fuse having blown, etc. - none of which appear to be the issue.  So you are completely perplexed as to why it won’t play ball. But, ha
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Date:
10/01/2021
Digital Power Supply Control Adds Value to IoT Applications

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Figure 1 - Analogue power supply with simple digital interface

Digital control in power supplies can mean different things ranging from simple digital signalling of status/alarms and on/off control of a traditional analogue controller, through addition of more sophisticated functions with a simple microcontroller, all the way through to full implementation of feedback loop comp
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Date:
10/01/2021
Backup Power Considerations for the Digital Transformation

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Figure 1. The acceleration of the digital transformation should force engineers to rethink their approach to backup power to ensure systems are adequately protected

Advancements such as the Internet of Things, automation and cloud infrastructure have gone from competitive advantages to business necessities to accommodate remote work, reductions in staffing and other critical challenges brought on by the pandemic. This acceleration should force engineers to rethink their app
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Date:
10/01/2021

 


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