(1) VICOR Factorized power designs come into the mainstream eeProductCenter says: “Vicor Corporation’s comprehensive line–up of 52 evaluation and validation boards featuring its BCM, PRM, and VTM V–I Chip power components, which are all now available in high volume quantities, culminates the company’s work to bring its factorized power architecture (FPA) into mainstream designs.”
Readers say:
» “I lost track of Vicor’s progress. I really will be looking into these evaluation boards.”
» “Right now we are not likely at all to use them, but in the future it will play a role.”
» “Evaluation of power chips is either very easy and I can just breadboard it myself or is very difficult where the interaction of my specific layout will effect emi and emc concerns. This product is basically filling a need that does not exist.”
» “New spin an existing ideas. They did a good job of packaging it.”
» “The power range looks good for a solar project.”
USABILITY RANK: 1
(2) ANALOG DEVICES 1–chip solution advances automotive battery monitoring eeProductCenter says: “Analog Devices’ ADuC703x family of Smart Battery Sensors, claiming the first single–chip solution for precision battery management in automotive applications, integrates high–precision data acquisition of current, voltage, and temperature, a programmable flash memory–based MCU, and a local interconnect network (LIN)–based controller with high–voltage transceiver, all in a small 48–pin package.”
Readers say:
» “Works for me.”
» “Should be a fantastic product for the automotive industry.”
USABILITY RANK: 4
(3) VICOR Vicor’s high–density V–I Chip bus converter delivers 300 watts eeProductCenter says: “A new high–voltage converter in the company’s V–I Chip family, Vicor’s B352F110T30 claims it’s the highest density DC/DC system for off–line AC/DC switchmode supploies and high–voltage distribution systems.”
Readers say:
» “This will be a great product at mass volumes to compete at current price levels.”
USABILITY RANK: 3
(4) MICROCHIP Microchip launches online power supply design center eeProductCenter says: “Microchip Technology today announced an online Intelligent Power–Supply Design Center. This site provides tools and resources for everything from analog power supplies to digitally–controlled Switch–Mode Power Supplies (SMPS). The Design Center offers access to Microchip’s power–supply application notes and reference designs, as well as links to Microchip simulation tools such as the Mindi simulation tool for battery charger and power–supply circuits.”
Readers say:
» “Would be a benefit.”
» “Sounds like a clever tool.”
USABILITY RANK: 2
(5) VISHAY Free on–line thermal simulation tool for MOSFETs uses FEA models eeProductCenter says: “Vishay says its free ThermaSim simulation tool for MOSFETs is the first such on–line product to use finite–element-analysis (FEA) models for increased accuracy. ThermaSim, particularly useful in high–current, high–temperature applications such as automotive, fixed telecom, desktop and laptop computer, and industrial systems, performs detailed thermal simulations on Vishay Siliconix MOSFETs before the circuit prototyping stage to speed time to market. Designers also may define other heat–dissipating components and simulate their effect on a MOSFET’s thermal operation.”
Readers say:
» “Good idea.”
USABILITY RANK: 5
(6) LINEAR TECHNOLOGY PSE controller simplifies power–over–Ethernet designs eeProductCenter says: “Linear Technology touts the current–sharing, stand alone capabilities of its LTC4263 single–channel IC for power–over–Ethernet (PoE) as unique among Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) controllers.”
Readers had no comments.
USABILITY RANK: 7
(7) MICROCHIP Development board eases digital SMPS designs eeProductCenter says: “Microchip Technology’s dsPICDEM buck switchmode power supply (SMPS) development board comes with sample software and tutorial to help designers quickly evaluate and develop their digital SMPS and power–conversion designs.”
Readers had no comments.
USABILITY RANK: 8
(8) INTERNATIONAL RECTIFIER iMOTION motor drive module saves a year’s software development eeProductCenter says: “Greatly streamlining time–to–market by doing away with the software development phase, International Rectifier’s IRMCT3UF1 is a fully–integrated high–reliability (HiRel) hybrid motor control module enabling digital, sensor–free vector control of brushless DC and permanent magnet motors rated at up to 500 VA. Combining digital control, analog interface and power blocks, the solution, based on the company’s iMOTION integrated design platform is touted as the first truly inclusive unit of its kind.”
Readers say:
» “Relates directly to my products.”
USABILITY RANK: 10
(9) ENPIRION Integrated–inductor DC/DCs boost efficiency, thermal performance eeProductCenter says: “Enpirion’s second–generation step–down DC/DC power converter families with integrated inductors, the 3–amp EN533x and 6–amp EN536x, tout improved thermal performance and efficiency, lower ripple and noise, and a 25 percent reduction in footprint over competing solutions.”
Readers had no comments.
USABILITY RANK: 6
(10) LINEAR TECHNOLOGY Micromodules simplify point–of–load applications to 48 amps eeProductCenter says: “With capabilities far beyond the company's first–generation, high–voltage LTM4600 point–of–load DC/DC supply, the LTM4601 and LTM4603 series from Linear Technology, part of the µModule series of “one–chip” power supplies, adds margining/tracking, remote–sense, expanded polyphase/paralleling capacity, and phase–locked loop synchronization functionality for advanced 6–48 amp designs. In addition, the new LTM4602 is a modified version of the LTM4600.”
Readers say:
» “Good product design –– but it comes down to BOM –– pricing must be aggressive. And LTC is not usually the leader in low pricing.”
