Technical Features

    July 2021
    Transformer Design Comparisons for Mitigating EMI in Gate Driver Circuits

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    Figure 1: Gate driver circuit diagram with a Bourns transformer

    While gate driver-based converters deliver improved efficiency, speed and signal integrity, their high frequency switching features can produce elevated levels of conducted electromagnetic interference (EMI), posing challenges to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and overall system reliability. To solve this
    Date:
    03/29/2026
    Climate-Neutral Fuel Cell Test with Regenerative Loads

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    Figure 1 here

    Figure 1. E-Mobility: Sustainable battery recycling with EA Elektro-Automatik

    Fuel cells have found applications in material handling vehicles, delivery vehicles, long-haul trucks, and use as backup power systems. Government initiatives, economic incentives, and new applications are resulting in a market growth rate exceeding 30%. An individual fuel cell generates under 2V of output
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    Date:
    07/31/2021
    Benefits of Digital Switching in Programmable AC Power Sources

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    Figure 1. Conventional AC power source topology

    Programmable AC power sources have been widely used to implement and support numerous product test procedures over the years. They provide the test engineer with the ability to fully control voltage, frequency, and current to the unit under test (UUT). Products like these are used to simulate various power conditions an
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    Date:
    07/19/2021
    Low Voltage Battery Monitor Floats into High Voltage EVs

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    Figure 1. Distributed EV BMS monitoring topology using LTC6811-1s and an LTC2949

    For much of the automobile’s history, innovation has focused on improving the fuel burning efficiency of the ICE to clean up emissions. However, the vast majority of recent innovations in ICE automobiles are a direct result of advancements in electronics—improvements in chassis systems, power trains, autonomous an
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    It's All Downhill From Here

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    Compared to fossil-based fuel, electricity is clean, easily stored, and much more renewable. It is also easier to make if you have the right equipment. As it turns out, electric motors also make great generators, so why not use the momentum of your vehicle to top up your battery? That’s exactly what regenerative br
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    Battery Management for Li-ion based Power Tools

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    Figure 1 - Cordless tools must “feel” functionally the same as their corded counterparts

    Battery management is a key design consideration for all products with batteries, but it’s especially important for products with rechargeable batteries or high power demands. One such application is lithium-ion based power tools. Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular type of battery for cordless power too
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    The Importance of Expanding the Supply Chain for Rare Earth Minerals

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    Figure 1. Official execution and commencement of the road and river diversion project at the Sangdong Mine site in Korea

    China produces 80% of the U.S. rare earths and has been doing so for quite some time. What makes things even worse is that over the past 12 to 18 months, a global pandemic has had a serious effect on the supply chain. People around the world rely on these rare materials in their everyday lives, and ma
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    New Wide Band-gap Semiconductor Technology Increases Power Conversion Efficiency

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    Figure 1: Typical EV power conversion elements

    Ask any power electronics designer what they strive for and top of the list is normally conversion efficiency. It’s not just for energy savings but also the knock-on benefits of smaller, lighter and cheaper products, with options opening up for better reliability and more functionality in space that’s freed-up. So
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    When a Visual Power-Fail Indication is Not Enough

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    Figure 1: Typical factory communication system using Ethernet and Fieldbus

    To meet the requirements of Industry 4.0 and smart production, digital communication between machines, sensors and host systems is essential.  Even simple applications need the ability to control and monitor the manufacturing process in real time using software and the internet. Standard power supplies wi
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    The Origins and Evolution of SiC FETs

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    Figure 1: Si, SiC and GaN material characteristics

    A basic building block in power conversion electronics is the semiconductor switch. The ideal is one with no static or dynamic losses that can withstand high voltage in the off state and with no leakage when on – but that is always just out of reach. One of the closest though is the wide band-gap technology Si
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    Why Power Supply Requirements Don't Need to Be a Design Restriction

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    Figure 1: There are many choices when it comes to selecting the right plug for your external power adapter (Source: CUI)

    New product features tend to have a direct impact on the total power needed, which may mean increasing the capacity of dc-dc converters or increasing the number of regulators distributed throughout the design. Ultimately, feature-creep will also put greater demand on the main source of power.  Engineers responsib
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    Using Old Semiconductor Structures to Advance the Low Power High Speed ESD Protection Market

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    Figure 1. On the left is the TSPD functional model and, on the right, a TVS diode

    With low-power, high-speed data systems, standard TVS diodes are commonly used in combination with low capacitance diodes to reduce the parasitic capacitance in applications like HDMI 2.0, USB 3.1, and Gigabit Ethernet. TVS diodes have offered the smallest form factors possible without sacrificing performance. Bu
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    BLDC-Based Cordless Power Tools Offer Longer Run Times and a Better User Experience

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    Figure 1. Three-phase BLDC motor drive overview

    Introduction Cordless power tools are becoming increasingly popular in professional and DIY usage due to their ease of use, portability, and increased safety over mains-powered tools. With the inclusion of brushless DC (BLDC) motors, they are now suitable for most tasks. However, manufacturers are being chal
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    Date:
    07/01/2021
    Archive

    Transformer Design Comparisons for Mitigating EMI in Gate Driver Circuits

    Mar 29,2026
    Matthew Russell, Master’s student at University College Cork, and a student engineer at Bourns Electronics Ireland

    1250 V/1700 V GaN HEMTs for NVIDIA 800 VDC Architecture

    Jan 31,2026
    Kamal Varadarajan & Chris Lee, Power Integrations

    Future-Proof Automotive High-Voltage-to-SELV Conversion

    Dec 30,2025
    Greg Green, Director of Automotive Marketing, Vicor

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    Power Systems Design is a leading global media platform serving the power electronics design engineering community. It delivers in-depth technical content, industry news, and product insights to engineers and decision-makers developing advanced power systems and technologies.

    Published 12× per year across North America and Europe, Power Systems Design is distributed through online and fully digital editions, complemented by eNewsletters, webinars, and multimedia content. The platform covers key areas including power conversion, semiconductors, renewable energy, automotive electrification, AI power systems, and industrial applications—supporting innovation across the global electronics industry.