Technical Features

April 2017
High-Density Power Modules Simplify and Downsize EV Power System Design

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Figure 1: Replacing conventional, discrete power conversion with power modules throughout the vehicle provides significant cost and weight savings in EVs

­The electrification of the automobile is presenting new challenges for power system designers in achieving the highest power density at the lowest weight possible, eliminating compromises in vehicle range and overall performance. Designers of power delivery networks (PDNs) are also tasked with designing safe, effici
Date:
10/31/2024
Increasing inverter efficiency

Complete motor inverter for a power output of up to 150 kW.

TDK has joined forces with Infineon Technologies to develop a design for xEV inverters that achieves a very high efficiency of over 98% over a power range of 10 kW to 150 kW. This success has been achieved by matching of the Infineon IGBT module and the EPCOS and TDK passive components. The new Infineon HybridPAC
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Date:
04/08/2017
Optimizing power design with configurable modules

Artesyn’s configurable power supply range delivered

Choosing the power supply for a project can be a challenging process. Prototypes cannot be developed without a supply of power, but the exact power requirements may change as the project progresses. It can be wise not to commit to power supply decisions too early. On the other hand, an off-the-shelf PSU that
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Date:
04/08/2017
The state of the power industry

Powerbox GB350 digitally controlled power supply for applications operated under high electromagnetic field

The overall market for AC/DC and DC/DC commercial switch mode power supplies (C-SMPS), which excludes consumers and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), is estimated to be in a range of 22 to 25 billion US Dollars. This level has been stable for more than five years and from an outsider’s point of view, could be p
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Date:
04/08/2017
Converter and inverter output filtering

Forward converter output filtering

Most modern power conversion topologies use switched-mode techniques for highest efficiency and smallest size and cost. Inevitably, switching noise is produced and output filters are required to minimize EMI and provide reliable operation of the power converter and load. This article looks at some filtering te
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Date:
04/08/2017
Simplifying field-side circuitry

MAX14001 simplified functional diagram

Measuring high voltages (12V to 300V) and currents using a low-voltage microcontroller is a growing requirement in industrial automation equipment. For example, a low- voltage microcontroller system can be used to monitor high-voltage industrial equipment for an unstable AC or DC power supply. This protects eq
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Date:
04/08/2017
Using an LED matrix dimmer

Use your PC to set the dimming values, and see the results.

RGB LEDs are used in projector, architectural, display, stage and automotive lighting systems that require efficient, bright output. To produce predictable colors from an RGB LED, each of its component LEDs (red, green and blue) requires individual, accurate dimming control. High end systems can use an optica
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Date:
04/05/2017
The world we live in is advancing at an ever increasing pace. More and more people are moving into metro areas and this increased urbanization brings with a rising expectation of convenience and services. It is rapidly becoming apparent to city administrators that smart infrastructure is going to play an increasingly im
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Date:
04/05/2017
Tightening energy efficiency standards

Infographic: The evolution of energy efficiency standards from 2004 through to the latest 2016 US DoE Level VI regulations and the impending EU CoC and Ecodesign requirements (Courtesy of CUI Inc.)

Just when you thought you had it nailed, along comes another set of energy efficiency standards for external power supplies. Yesterday’s standards are no longer good enough and manufacturers cannot afford to be complacent. Meeting energy efficiency standards is not a one-time fix. The pressure on governmen
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Date:
04/05/2017
Performance and reliability are key requirements when it comes to keeping commercial buildings safe, comfortable and functioning. However, oftentimes eco-friendly considerations come second. Of course, this is easier said than done, as engineers must balance strict usage and durability requirements while also cr
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Date:
04/05/2017
LED Applications Require LED-Specific Power Supplies

SL Power Supply

The main value propositions for LEDs over traditional lighting are twofold: Long life expectancy that translates to saving money on replacement costs, and higher illumination using less energy to lower electricity bills. Due to the solid state nature of LEDs that require electronic circuits to emit light, the th
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Date:
04/05/2017
Improve power conversion testing with these probing tips

Accurately evaluate and measure very small performance increases

Today’s power supply designers and test engineers are generally seeking to find very small incremental improvements that will increase power conversion efficiency, or reduce losses in the design. This requires the ability to accurately evaluate and measure very small performance increases. Sources of loss m
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Date:
04/04/2017
Driving industrial sensors

Proximity sensors in a factory environment

Sensors play a major role in enabling Industry 4.0 applications, but their underlying electronics are complex. On-board voltage regulators are typically needed to deliver power more efficiently with minimum heat generation. One big challenge, however, lies in safely delivering low voltage power to these tiny se
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Date:
04/04/2017
Next-gen solar power conversion

Designing for safety, speed, and cost-efficiency in PV inverters

No longer is solar energy an emerging technology, but rather a rapidly maturing one that is undergoing momentous technological changes. The goal of grid parity—where the cost of solar power matches and, indeed, improves that of traditional energy electricity generation types—is getting closer, as the conversion of
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Date:
04/04/2017
Smart City - an unfulfilled dream?

Is a true Smart City an unattainable holy grail?

“It is I, Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, from the castle of Camelot. King of the Britons, defeater of the Saxons, Sovereign of all England!” - King Arthur, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” Michael White Productions, 1975. We’ve lived most of our adult life in engineering, or what some call a bu
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Date:
04/04/2017
Driving piezoelectric elements

Innovative Topology Overcomes Conflicting Piezo-Driver Requirements

Piezoelectric elements have traditionally been used primarily in applications in the audio industry, operating in the human audio range (nominally 100 Hz to 18 kHz). However, subsequent improvements in device characteristics have extended their usefulness into markets which demand much-higher performance. For ex
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Date:
04/04/2017
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