(1)
POWER INTEGRATIONS
Off-line switcher IC extends flexibility, power range
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " Power Integrations' TinySwitch III off-line switcher IC expands the flexibility of the company's TinySwitch II devices in four major areas: More power capability, user-selectable power levels, lower no-load power draw, and lower bulk input capacitance requirements. The chip, for application in desktop computers, servers, DVD players, industrial controls, chargers, and adapters for portable electronics, comes in seven versions."
Readers say: » "Good Product.'' » "What are the power rating it can operate?'' » "Neat product'' » "Powerfully tiny!'' » "Good Product'' » "I was not familiar with Power Integrations before. I am very interested in looking at this and other power related products.'' » "Amazing power capability in a small package. Credit to the silicon designers!'' » "Looks good'' » "Great Technology'' » "I could not find specific data. This is a regulated forward converter, and could be used as a low power level output, or several low bias supplies. Input voltage levels are good.'' If you need a simple regulated voltage for other than mil spec this could be the choice. It should make "green" better.'' » "The almost double increase in power from 15-28 watts between the 2nd and 3rd generations, is a significant change.'' » "I would like samples to test before I offered my final opinion, however this device looks very useful.'' » "Cost is always a factor with these types of solutions.'' » "Efficiency is a key selection element.'' » "Highly integrated and energy efficient- seems like the right part.''
USABILITY RANK: 1

(2)
POWER INTEGRATIONS
Integrated switcher IC meets peak demands
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " Power Integrations touts its series of highly-integrated off-line switching ICs in the PeakSwitch family as the first power supply controllers with peak power capability."
Readers say: » "Good implementation.'' » "Good Product.'' » "Smart.'' » "As I understand, frequency shift is still allowed in the commerical world. In a word this is "BUNK". While shifting fc of converters may make some 'EMI" nunbers look good, look at a radio or tv that has a 0 to 1hz to 100khz major interference sweep. For military it is bad, bad, news, for commerce you will interfere with radio TV etc. Is that extra 20% in size and weight worth you not being able to see TV without a white dot that keeps getting more nurnerious.'' » "Smaller components, lower cost and a switcher that meets peak demands....nice'' » "Many products like this around.'' » "Nice to see such integrated devices targeted at intermittent loads.''
USABILITY RANK: 2

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VALENCE TECHNOLOGY
Large lithium-ions extend their lead over auto, NiMH batteries
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Valence Technology's U-Charge RT and U-Charge XP Power Systems, comprising eight new large-format (lead-acid sized) lithium-ion battery models built around the company's Saphion rechargeable technology, offer extended run times with comprehensive self-monitoring."
Readers say: » "Nice product!'' » "Good Product.'' » "Customer satisfaction guarantee.'' » "Lower cost, improved reliability, lighter and more run time? What's not to like?'' » "I'm a Prius owner, so I'm biased - better battery technology is critical.'' » "I don't use such high-power rechargeables, but looks well integrated, although very expensive.''
USABILITY RANK: 3

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MINI-BOX.COM
DC/DC lays claim to world's smallest PC supply
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Mini-box.com (Ituner Networks) says its picoPSU-120 is the world? tiniest PC power supply. Delivering up to 120 watts (140 watts peak) from a 12 volt input, the 5-output DC/DC supply measures just 31-by-45-by-20 mm. That's about the size of two AA batteries, making it one-tenth the size of a standard PC supply at the same power level, according to the company. The picoPSU, fully compliant with ATX specifications, is compatible with all Mini-ITX mainboards and standard motherboards. The supply is also compatible with 1U server rack requirements. Its small size also suits it to robotics applications. "
Readers say: » "Very flexible.'' » "Good Product.'' » "Boosted tiny power supplies.'' » "Miniaturization is great.''
USABILITY RANK: 6

(5)
XP POWER
Custom supplies cut delivery time with fractional-turn transformer
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " Taking on-the-fly customization of AC/DC supplies to the next level, XP Power? RCL175 series, aided by a new fractional-turn transformer technology, allows OEMs to modify a supply? specs (notably output voltage parameters) quickly, cost-effectively, and without loss of agency approvals."
Readers say: » "Flexibility.'' » "Good Product.'' » "Nice design.'' » "Nice flexibility, especially for prototypes.''
USABILITY RANK: 4

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CHEROKEE POWER
Quarter-brick bus converter hits 500 watts
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Cherokee International says its C-BUS line is the industry's first 500-watt, 4:1 intermediate bus converter in a quarter-brick package. The company's CBQ4248G1 delivers 42 amps at a nominal (unregulated) 12 volts; efficiency is nearly 97 percent. Specifically designed for datacom, networking, and ATE applications, the CBQ4248G1 uses a two-stage power conversion architecture (AC to 48 VDC, and 48 to 12 VDC) to power point-of-load converters or discrete converters that are downstream in a distributed power architecture. "
Readers say: » "Excellent implementation.'' » "Big help!'' » "Good Product » "Nothing we need, but I've seen similar products around for many years. 97% efficiency is nice, though.'' » "Assuming full NEBS compatibility, this should be a 'hot' new level in power density.''
USABILITY RANK: 10

(7)
SILICON LABS
Fastest 4-channel isolator speeds digital power
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " The promises held forth by Silicon Labs' Si844x digital isolator for the power arena are consistent with what the typical designer might come to expect from a "digital power" solution, versus the traditional optocoupler or various galvanic isolator, for such applications as the sensing/regulation loop of an AC/DC or DC/DC power supply."
Readers say: » "Easy to use.'' » "Great circuit, small size!'' » "This promises good performance.'' » "Good Product.'' » "Great product.'' » "Very interesting - I'll have to review the datasheet for possible use in our products.''
USABILITY RANK: 5

(8)
STMICROELECTRONICS
Motor control kit simplifies AC, DC designs to 3 kW
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "STMicroelectronics' Motor Control Reference Design Kit simplifies the evaluation and implementation of 3-phase brushless direct current (BLDC) and AC drive applications across three power ranges, up to 3 kW. CAD files are available to enable the layout to be used directly in the production application."
Readers say: » "Wonderful kit, money factory!'' » "Good Product.'' » "Great use.'' » "It might be helpful for new designs.''
USABILITY RANK: 8

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ARTESYN TECHNOLGIES
POLs save more space
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: "Touting highly integrated packaging, Artesyn says its LDO-C and SIL-C2 point-of-load (POL, nonisolated) converter families, spanning from 3 up to 40 amps in five versions, offer a dramatic savings in board real-estate. The 3-amp model has a footprint of just 0.61-by-0.37 inches, and the 40-amp model is just 1.1-by-1.2 inches."
Readers say: » "Good manual.'' » "Good Product.'' » "Space is money, great product!'' » "Saving board space! Woo-hoo.'' » "POL is an excellent idea, though I think more ASICs should include their own POL and accept a higher-voltage power supply to avoid the need for external POL devices.'' » "Is it just me, or do those coils look awkward?''
USABILITY RANK: 7

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INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER
Synchronous rectifier IC boosts flyback, resonant half-bridge designs
eeProductCenter's Vince Biancomano says: " International Rectifier touts its SmartRectifier chipset, which comprises the IR1167 with external HEXFET MOSFETs, as the first high-efficiency solution that's viable from the standpoint of technology and cost. Use of a standard diode in the usual flyback design (i.e., secondary-side rectification) is simple and adequate for 60-watt and below power applications (IR cites the cutoff point in terms of current, at about 2.5 amperes), but it's a low efficiency solution with clear drawbacks at powers out to 600 watts."
Readers say: » "Excellent.'' » "Good Product.'' » "I found a new definition for Power.'' » "Nice product.'' » "Always nice to cut size and remove heatsinks and components.''
USABILITY RANK: 9