Final Day of Electronica 2006 Focuses on Power Management
On the final day of Electronica 2006, power management appeared to be the "theme." Advanced Analogic Technologies Inc. added to its line of power management ICs for portable consumer devices. EPCOS addressed the need for power management in electric utility distribution grids. Both BI Technologies and Microchip Technology Inc. added products aimed at power management in electronic systems while GAÏA Converter added a 100W dc-dc module for distributed power systems.
The AAT2550 from Analogic Tech is a highly integrated power management IC for smart phones, portable media players and other handheld computing devices. Targeted at portable systems powered by single-cell lithium ion/polymer batteries rated up to 1500 mAh, the device saves space by combining a 1A battery charger with two 600mA step-down converters in a 4mm-square QFN package.
The device features a digital thermal control loop in the battery charger that automatically reduces charge current when the demand on the power system exceeds its thermal limits. The charger in the AAT2551 model also adds AnalogicTech's charge reduction function that automatically reduces charge current only to the extent necessary to preserve the integrity of the USB hos voltage.
By allowing users to charge the battery with the maximum available current from the USB port while keeping the port voltage regulated, the ATT2551 ensures that the battery charger will not overload the USB port even when other stem applications share power with the pot supply, and that the battery charge time is minimized. The Aat2552 will be available in Q1 2007.
EPCOS has expanded its range of TSM series of thyristor modules to include the TSM-HV50 and TSM-LC200 types. The TSM-HV50 was developed especially for industrial networks rated 690V and is designed for capacitive loads of up to 50kvar. The TSM-LC200 power thyristor module was designed for the usual voltages of 380 or 400V and is able to switch capacitive loads of up to 200kvar.
The switching times of both modules are in the region of only 5ms. The thyristor switches enable the power factor correction (PFC) capacitors to be switched silently and without wear, ensuring a longer life. In addition there is no feedback to the grid in the form of transients.
The microprocessor control provides automatic matching to PFC capacitor branches with or without detuned harmonic filters with a detuning factor of up to 14%. The modules feature an automatic function for monitoring voltage, phase and temperature. Status indication is by LEDs.
While EPCOS designed for utility-scale applications, the new HM72A series of powered iron inductors from BI Technologies Magnetics Components Division is aimed at non-isolated voltage regulators. Target applications include servers, notebook computers, work stations, dc-dc converters and point-of-load modules.
"The pressed iron allow core construction optimizes current saturation levels while minimizing both ac and dc power losses," observed Davie Smolik, Director of Product Development. "The core material of the low profile inductor is capable of controlling power losses as switching frequencies move from 300 kHz to 1 MHz, reducing the need for larger ferrite core inductors."
These devices feature inductance values from 100nH to 33uH with saturation levels to 80A. They are offered in three package sizes: 7.23mm x 6.8mm with a height of 3.0mm; 11.5mm x 10.5mm, with height options of 2.5mm and 4.0mm; and 13.5m x 13.0mm in heights of 3.5mm, 5.0mm and 6.5mm.
Microchip added its first general-purpose Flash PIC microcontrollers with peripherals for more cost-effective control and management of fans and small motors. Applications are expected to include home appliances, cooling fan and other motor control, power tools, system control and monitoring, battery chargers, ac-dc power supplies and dc-dc converters.
The 14-pin PIC16F616/610 and the 8-pin PIC12F615/609 microcontrollers can substantially reduce component count and cost with specialized peripherals such as full-bridge pulse-width-modulation (pwm) with deadband control, Timer1 Gate Control for pwm measurement, a comparator with hysteresis for hall-effect sensor interfaces, and an A-to-D converter for temperature and other monitoring functions.
As an example application, when used in cooling fan controls, these devices can provide greater functionality than discrete fan-control components, including linear speed control, improved dynamic response and a firmware-customizable design.
Many higher voltage applications, such as motor controls and power supplies, require components to step down the input voltage. These new "HV" PIC microcontrollers allow engineers to design systems running from 2.0V up to a user-defined maximum without having to add a regulator, reducing cost and board space further in addition, such applications often require intermediate voltages for power drivers and other components.
Finally, GAÏA added a new family of 100W modules with wide input range 10.7-50 Vdc and 36-140 Vdc. Offered in single output from 3.3Vdc up to 24Vdc, the family covers a wide range of applications where variable input voltage and transient are prevalent making them well-suited for on-board systems.
The module features an LC input filter, a permanent short circuit protection, a soft start to avoid inrush current, trim and sense functions. The module is packaged in a standard 3'' x 2'' x 0.5'' metal case and is fully potted to ensure excellent thermal characteristics over the -40°C to +85°C ambient operating temperature range.
