(1) TEXAS INSTRUMENTS Sequencing-margining IC eases power management eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The TPS40100, TI's newest addition to the TPS40K series of controllers for point-of-load (POL) converters in high performance multi-rail systems, makes no particularly grandiose claims for benchmark performance. But the company touts a set of device feature--including advanced tracking with margining functions, accurate over-current protection, and start-up into pre-biased loads--that OEM system designers may find unique for various merchant supply and high-end applications. In particular, TI cites one competing device that it believes provides the same sort of margining and sequencing capabilities, but with the TPS40100 coming out on top overall." Readers say: » "This allows flexibility in power up sequencing. Most systems have a fixed power up sequence so while this offers flexibility in development it is unlikley to be valuable in volume production."
» "Cost & prefered vendor relationships dominate choice unless special functionality is required."
» "Possible usage on some controls we purchase from our tier 1 suppliers."
» "The main advantage I see of this part the in the wide input voltage. Beyond that it take a lot of space and needs external fets."
» "It would be nice to only carry one controller instead of many."
» "Could fit a need I have at this time."
» "Very interesting to learn about the project and the power saving aspects."-
» "Very user friendly."
» "TI microcontrollers rarely fit into my designs, both functionally and cost wise."
» "This micro will be considered for future products."
» "Will consider for new designs."
» "Simplifies the design by supporting three common sequencing schemes."
» "If a product design needed power sequencing this would be a part I would consider."
» "Price is acceptable."
» "Device appears to have potential, but its applications in our designs needs to be investigated further."
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) POTENTIA SEMICONDUCTOR Controller expands digital power management eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The PS-2606 power system controller from Potentia Semiconductor provides a complete power management solution for up to six non-isolated DC/DC converters and one intermediate bus in telecom, networking, and data storage applications. This highly integrated chip enables users to digitally program output voltages, sequencing for startup and shutdown, and over-voltage and under-voltage warning and fault thresholds on each power rail." Readers say: » "Useful product for multi-suply systems, well described."
» "This looks interesting."
» "Will not fit our needs."
» "Highly intrgated chip."
» "Cool." USABILITY RANK: 4
(3) TRIPP LITE Small UPS touts dynamic LCD readout eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Tripp Lite says its SmartUPS1000, a line-interactive 1 kVA uninterruptible power supply, is the first of its kind in North America to feature a liquid crystal display (LCD) for digital readout." Readers say: » "Looks like a nice novelty but communicating status to a PC is more useful."
» "Although the LCD information can be useful, I don't know that the information is worth the added cost for the average user."
» "Would consider for home useage since the price is low enough."
» "Having the CSA and IEC info is helpful."
» "Will consider for future designs."
» "May be useble for developing countries"
» "I would be interested in comparing against APC's high end." USABILITY RANK: 2
(4) APEX MICROTECHNOLOGY Power op-amp IC delivers hybrid performance eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "This product is Apex's first high-voltage, high-speed integrated circuit and marks a turning point of sorts away from hybrid devices for which the company has become well known. Hybrids still have their advantages and are expected to dominate at the higher power levels for some time. But their cost is often prohibitive. Apex's new offering, billed as a revolutionary high-voltage, high-speed precision IC operational amplifier, is designed to draw attention to the company's emerging status in the high-performance chip area. The PA78 series, one of three new family members that include the PA69 and PA86, is intended to demonstrate the advantages of the IC approach at the lower power levels." Readers say: » "I have used these products in the past, I have not used this unit. I would take a serious look at it if the design calls for it."
» "While digital is what everyone wants to hear. I have a different aspect. With the PA96 anouncement I am remimded of the products from 1970 to 1990. Some of these were very important in the electronics developement of the time. This forward movement of analog techologney made our digital world. In looking back I am very sorry to understand that the advancement into creative analog techonology has resulted in its all but demise. This item fills a need in the aspect of many designs were linited by multiple constraints. I hope to see more designs where voltage, power and bandwidth will be expanded. I also note that to be in this price range is an extreme credit to the designer and mfg."
» "Precision power, performance & speed"
USABILITY RANK: 5
(5) AUSTRIAMICROSYSTEMS LED driver claims world on a string eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Austriamicrosystems bills its AS3691 chip as the world's first high-current with high-precision LED driver. "The IC's absolute current accuracy of 0.5 percent allows for highly accurate brightness settings and is thus ideal for supporting sophisticated color management applications like LCD monitors with RGB backlighting," said Ronald Tingl, marketing manager for Power Management." Readers say: » "...In the right design it would be useful."
» "Good claims, will consider for future development."
» "Will consider for future designs."
» "Good precision LED driver."
USABILITY RANK: 3
(6) ON SEMICONDUCTOR ATX reference design meets "80 PLUS" initiative eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "ON Semiconductor touts the industry's first open ATX power supply reference design certified to meet the so-called "80 PLUS" performance requirements for computing applications. The 250-watt reference design addresses all functional blocks of the ATX power supply, including power factor correction, switch-mode power supply control and regulation, post regulation, and output rectification." Readers say: » "High efficiency is a major consideration for this application."
» "I like!"
» "Can be tailored to our needs. Will be considered for new designs."
» "Too open design, not cost effective."
» "Interesting - how about price point info?"
USABILITY RANK: 6
(7) ASTEC POWER DC/DC converter takes all-digital form eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "
Emerson Network Power bills its Astec DTX as the industry's first all-digital DC/DC (isolated) converter. The first offering as part of the company's Digital Power Initiative, the DTX42K48, with a footprint approximately the size of an industry-standard eighth brick and just 5 mm high, delivers up to 50 watts at 0.96 to 1.44 volts from a 36-75 volt input for OEM designers seeking the performance and flexibility of an all-digital approach (control, monitoring, and power conversion circuitry)." Readers say: » "Text does not provide enough description of concrete advantages..."
» "Always good products from this company."
» "Tighter regulation, faster response and better thermal performance"
» "A bit pricey."
» "Why not state efficiency?"
USABILITY RANK: 7
(8) VPT VPT promotes military DC/DC system to a higher rank eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Without any prior knowledge of military culture, most designers might assume that power systems and the like in the employ of the government are grounded in state-of-the-art architectures as well as being the most reliable. What a fair number of designers might overlook is that the quest for reliability in a military design is a series of tradeoffs between tradition, the latest technology and a host of other parameters such as operating system efficiency." Readers say: » "Mil/aero/space is a demanding high-rel market. This modular solution is most welcome. Wish the summary had mentioned rad-hard characteristics, but that is probably in the data sheet."
» "unique requirement for space and military applications."
USABILITY RANK: 8
(9) ASTEC POWER Brick delivers 600 watts with full military regalia eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "
Emerson Network Power's Astec AIF-300Vin full-brick DC/DC converters, which include a microprocessor with I<sup>2</sup>C interface and memory for advanced control and monitoring functionality, deliver up to 600 watts for demanding military, industrial, and test-and-measurement applications. The single-output converters, six versions in all, provide 1.8, 3.3, 5, 12, 15, or 24 volts at rated power from a 250-400 volt input." Readers say: » "We have used other Power Supplies from Astec in our products"
» "...Llooks useful."
» "Good regulation and low ripple noise and higher efficiency." USABILITY RANK: 9
(10) POWER-ONE Quarter-brick delivers 420 watts at 70ýC eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Focusing on an ever popular theme--highest useable power--Power-One says its QTS48T46096 quarter-brick bus converter delivers in excess of 400 watts at +70degrees C. Over its operating range, the converter delivers up to 46 amps at up to 97 percent efficiency." Readers say: » "Too high cost for our consumer products."
» "Highest for quarter brick foot size."
USABILITY RANK: 10
