Technical Features

September 2023
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
In power supplies, storage inductors play an important role. Unexpected overheating of the magnetic component in the inductors used should be avoided at all costs. The AC losses that are often responsible for this are difficult to estimate. The online simulation tool RedExpert facilitates the development work co
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Date:
09/29/2023
Enhance IoT Battery Performance Using Emulation Software

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Figure 1. 1,100 mAh alkaline cell, 0.9V cutoff voltage - discharge capacity variation

For consumer electronic devices, battery life is often a critical purchase consideration. Therefore, the fact the calculated battery life of IoT devices is often inaccurate is a significant issue for manufacturers. One method to measure battery life is to divide the battery capacity in amp-hours by the avera
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Date:
09/01/2023
Importance of On-site EV Charger Testing

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Figure 1. Handheld instruments are convenient ways of checking EV charge points as part of your regular maintenance program.

The adoption of electric vehicles is a megatrend globally and especially in the USA. Massive federal, state, and private investments are driving an exponential increase in the network of chargers across the U.S. This is causing a significant impact on the existing electrical grid and a greater demand on electricity ge
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Date:
09/01/2023
Direct Current (DC) Injection from Renewable Energies  -  When Accuracy Matters in Power Quality Measurements

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Table 1: DC limits in national standards

­In recent years, power quality measurements have been carried out more and more frequently in the electric power and energy industry and on distribution and transport grids. These measurements focus primarily on the classic characteristic parameters such as voltage dips, voltage transients and harmonics. Maximum va
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Date:
09/01/2023
Choosing the Perfect Electronic Load

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Figure 1. A bidirectional power supply able to sink and source power. The red line indicates maximum power (30kW) can be sinked at any voltage sweeping from 2000 to 750 V, a feature called autoranging. A conventional power supply could sink maximum power only at 2000 V and 75

Like a programmable power supply in reverse, an electronic load simulates load conditions and measures power consumption. As end-users demand increasingly efficient devices and longer battery run times, designers increasingly depend on electronic loads. According to MarketsAndMarkets, sales of electroni
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Date:
09/01/2023
Accelerating High Power Energy Infrastructure Design

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Figure 1: The power, switching frequency, and application use cases of different semiconductor materials (source onsemi)

Power conversion is an essential function in almost every design, from low-power Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to high-power solar inverters. Trends such as using renewable energy sources and the growth of electric vehicle adoption demand efficient and reliable energy conversion. This article highlights some of
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Date:
09/01/2023
A Better Choice for High−Speed Switching Applications

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Figure 1: Simplified diagram of double pulse testing circuit

Silicon Carbide (SiC) has higher dielectric breakdown strength, energy bandgap, and thermal conductivity than silicon (Si), properties that power electronics designers can exploit to develop more efficient power converters with greater power density than designs based on Si IGBT devices. For these applications, mi
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Date:
09/01/2023
Getting The Most Out of EV Batteries

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Figure 1: The key functions of the BMS explained

Drivers, carmakers, and the supply chain share several ambitions for electric vehicles (EVs) – improving range and battery safety while increasing the battery’s lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. Each of these goals can be achieved with new technology enhancements, secure and reliable connectivity, an
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Date:
09/01/2023
Choosing SiC or GaN over Si Comes with Many Considerations

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Figure 1: Comparing silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN), silicon superjunction (Si SJ), and insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)/gate turn-off (GTO) thyristor devices over power and frequency. (Source: Author)

As silicon power IC (Si) technology begins to run into limitations, engineers are seeking out alternatives to help them build smaller, lighter, and more efficient products. Wide bandgap (WBG) materials such as gallium nitride (GaN) silicon carbide (SiC) are both viable options, so it isn’t always clear which of
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Date:
09/01/2023
GaN Power Semiconductors Redefine a Growing Number of Market Landscapes

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Figure 1. Profitability + Sustainability Drive $6 Billion GaN Growth

GaN power semiconductors continue to bring significant advancements in power-reliant industries, substantially impacting the global economy. Markets such as consumer electronics, automotive, and data centers are experiencing massive transformations as GaN power transistors replace traditional silicon in power sy
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Date:
09/01/2023
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