(1)
MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES
Ultracapacitor module takes on heavy loads
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Maxwell Technologies' new BMOD2600-48 module is a fully integrated, 48-volt multi-cell ultracapacitor module in the company's BOOSTCAP line for heavy-duty transportation, industrial energy storage, and power delivery applications. It comprises eighteen 2.7-volt MC2600 cells touted as having more capacity, delivering more power per unit volume, and lasting longer than any other commercially available ultracapacitor product. More specifically, the MC2600 cells have a power density of 10.4 kW/kg and an energy density of 5.6 watt-hours/kg."
Readers say: » "Excellent progress in a field of increasing need and value." » "Battery substitutes and energy storage devices are critical as we move away from gas based products. Energy storage products and cost reduction are critical in this effort to be come energy independent." » "There could be a small niche market in Telecom backup power applications." » "RoHS compliant? High temparature rating is critical - what is the spec?" » "I would be most interested in viewing a demonstration capacity of this BMOD2600-48 module. The proof is in the pudding, does it really contain all of the capcity it claims." » "Costs way too much. Nice if you haven't got the space or the weight available.. but it needs to cost half that." » "Cool - Gasoline powered cards are a thing of the past." » "Ultracapacitors seem to be a big step forward in managing energy storage needs. They will be sure to find many more applications in the near future." » "This is good news. I am looking fowqard to following this with an eye toward applications in boats." » "When they can cut the cost in half, they will obsolete most of the large capacity batteries used today." » "Could be useful to backup avionic systems per spec." » "This product appears to be excellent for many interesting applications." » "It would be interesting to see more economical versions of these devices for standard hybrid cars too. Besides, that is a much bigger market too."
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION
Laptop security card checks for fingerprints
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "American Power Conversion's new PCMCIA Password Manager, a personal fingerprint scanner, facilitates an additional level of security for laptop users' login and password information. An extension to the company's Biometric Password Manager, the new product allows users to access their laptops without the need to memorize logins and passwords."
Readers say: » "An exceptional tool for any large or small business traveler, and even for office use." » "Biometrics are more inconvenient than passwords for security." » "An easy way to both upgrade laptops and avoid the password mess." » "New laptops don't come with PCMCIA ports anymore." » "I would like the convenience of never having to mess with passwords." » "Now... if they had it on a SD or memory stick size..." » "Great technology -hopefully the price will drop."
USABILITY RANK: 2

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PENTADYNE POWER CORP.
Flywheel adds a turn to UPS performance
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Pentadyne's VSS+ is the next generation of the company's advanced Voltage Support Solution (VSS) flywheel power system for replacing lead-acid batteries in uninterruptible power supplies (UPSes). The VSS+ is designed to provide significant cost savings in parallel system applications for industrial plants and broadcast facilities. For instance, four VSS+ units will supply back-up power to a 750 kVA UPS for 17 seconds. Providing the same physical footprint, dimensions, and weight characteristics as the company's first-generation system, the VSS+ offers a greater measure of application flexibility in three categories: Ride-through protection with a UPS, ride-through with a generator, and battery life extension."
Readers say: » "Watch out if that bearing lets go. If you think lead acid's are bad wait until you see a flywheel fly." » "Very cool." » "Need more technical information."
USABILITY RANK: 8

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MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY
Energy metering ICs with web tools ease designs
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "In a dual announcement, Microchip Technology has released its MCP3905 and MCP3906 stand-alone energy-measurement integrated circuit (ICs), and also launched its on-line Utility Meter Design Center to provide designers with the tools and resources they need to create accurate and low-cost utility meter solutions for a wide range of applications. The MCP3905/6 analog front ends for measuring average and instantaneous real power, combined with the company's PIC family of microcontrollers, form the core of a single-phase power meter for residential and industrial applications. The chips each integrate two 16-bit delta-sigma analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), an internal voltage reference, plus all of the digital circuitry needed to calculate average and instantaneous real power from its voltage and current input channels. It delivers a frequency output proportional to real power, and a high-frequency output proportional to instantaneous power for meter calibration. The MCP3905 features a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) with a maximum gain of 16. For energy meters requiring higher accuracy, the MCP3906 has a maximum gain of 32."
Readers say: » "Eventually you'll see one of these in every home/ facility..."
USABILITY RANK: 4

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SUPERTEX
High-performance LED driver touts cost edge
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Supertex bills its HV9911 current-mode controller as one that provides equal or better performance at a decidedly lower price than competing devices, focusing for comparison mainly on products from Linear Technology's LED driver portfolio, which include the LT3474, LT1618, LT3486, and LTC3783. The second advantage is the device's high-voltage regulator, and thus the chip can be powered from a 110-volt rectified (DC) input."
Readers say: » "Good automotive part, we'll have to design a better one." » "Could be interesting in other apps." » "You'll see one of these in each monitor/TV."
USABILITY RANK: 3

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TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
POL's ultra fast transient response meets digital demands
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Texas Instruments characterizes its latest generation PTH family of point-of-load converters (better known as POLA modules by the OEM community for the company's participation in the point-of-load alliance initiative) as a breakthrough for higher speed, more accurate, smaller sized and more economical POL-based systems for telecom, datacom, and wireless base stations. In that context, the T2 series addresses various power management issues associated with digital type loads. Architecturally, these include accomodating a wide-input bus source (where unregulated, fixed-ratio input/output transformer-based systems are the usual solution to high efficiency). Operationally, TI's main emphasis is on securing much higher transient response from the POL, which in turn plays a big part in maximizing the system's power density and conserving board space, ultimately translating into a substantial reduction in overall system cost."
Readers say: » "Good!"
USABILITY RANK: 5

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ASTEC POWER
Digitally-controlled AC/DCs fine-tune the power
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Emerson Network Power says its Astec iMP series is the first digitally-controlled AC/DC power supply of its kind. With an onboard microprocessor to facilitate programming for power management and smart communications, the series offers a range of hardware modules that give designers the ability to tailor their medium- to high-power solutions. Single-, dual- and triple-output modules deliver from 600 to 1500 watts. Four customizable chassis accommodate up to seven individual modules with a choice of outputs ranging from 2 to 60 VDC for a 85-264 VAC or 120-350 VDC input."
Readers say: » "Everything else is digitally controlled, why not power supplies?" » "Good!" » "The control feature should be useful, but not a big advantage."
USABILITY RANK: 6

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PRIMARION
PMIC optimizes digital point-of-load conversion
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Primarion's PX7510 controller, the first product in the company's Di-POL product family of power management ICs, digitally implements all functions for monitoring and control of point-of-load (nonisolated) converters in datacom, telecom, and computing applications. "The PX7510 utilizes Primarion's digital technology to create a power solution that offers flexibility, adaptability and PMBus communication in a single chip that cannot be accomplished in the analog world for the same cost and density," said Milan Jovanovic, chief technical officer of the Power Systems Business Group of Delta Electronics. "The partnership between Delta and Primarion has been instrumental in the definition of the PX7510 controller. The PX7510 specification meets the highest levels of power management requirements for the 'point-of-load' markets while setting a new standard for digital and analog power solutions in the marketplace.""
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USABILITY RANK: 7

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CIRRUS LOGIC
Metering ICs turn power measurement up a notch
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "The CS5461A and CS5463 high precision power meter ICs from Cirrus Logic are suited for next-generation applications. An upgrade to the company's CS5460A device, these pin-for-pin compatible devices add circuitry to measure apparent and reactive power, thus cutting the bill-of-materials and overall development time. "Increasingly, utility companies are demanding more information about the power quality and efficiency of the power grid, and the CS5461A and CS5463 benefit our customers by generating this high-quality data on-chip," said John Paulos, vice president and general manager of the Industrial Products Division. "Calculating energy usage information directly on-chip eliminates the need for additional on-board digital signal processor chips and in turn, reduces overall meter costs.""
Readers say: » "Niche product."
USABILITY RANK: 9

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POWER-ONE
Controller manages both analog and digital POLs
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " Power-One says its ZM7300 series of Z-One Digital IBA controllers are the first that can manage analog based systems (VRMs, linear regulators, point-of-load converters) as well as digital POLs, for a total of up to 32 devices simultaneously. <P> "The ZM7300 Series extends the open-architecture applications scope for Z-One Digital IBA to include supporting analog devices, as well as industry-standard I²C digital interfaces," said Steve Goldman, chairman and CEO. "This industry-first functionality has been incorporated into a semiconductor package that is less than one-sixth the size of our previous generation of digital power managers.""
Readers say:
USABILITY RANK: 10