Ericsson Power Modules released its PKB-C dc-dc converter, which the company claims has considerably more output power compared with similar available products. The PKB-C’s use of a secondary digital monitoring circuit is said to make it possible for Ericsson Power Modules to offer control of an infinite number of customers’ output circuit characteristics, such as latching, Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Over Current Protection (OCP) and Over Temperature Protection (OTP) – all without adding any extra components. Because this circuit can be programmed during manufacturing, it reduces the time-to-customer when a tailor-made protection configuration is required.
Fully titled as PKB4110C PI 3.3V@ 40A, the module is available in two versions: through-hole and surface-mount. There is also a further mechanical option that features a broader baseplate to cater for higher operating temperatures in situations where airflow is reduced. The PKB-C is aimed at existing eighth-brick customers aiming to provide power for applications demanding higher power without re-designing boards for larger products (e.g. quarter-brick).
Because the surface mount version of the PKB-C is less than 9mm high, the module is particularly suitable for applications designed for low building height, guaranteeing enough isolation distance from the module to an adjacent board. Designed for use with 48V input applications, the PKB-C is primarily made for telecom and datacom applications such as routers, servers, data-storage, wireless-network, but also for many other applications requiring high power density modules with a high thermal performance such as process control, robotics, embedded computer applications, and many others.
