POL converters optimized for densely packed PCBs

Artesyn Technologies Inc. launched two lines of ultra compact 30A point-of-load (POL) converter modules designed for use on densely packed PCBs.

According to the company, these converters enable designers to overcome the problems of co-locating high-current, low-voltage sources with the silicon devices they are powering. The SIL30E vertical-mount modules occupy a board area of 0.6-inch? and the surface-mount smt30e modules are 0.32-inch high, making them suitable for high-end applications in the telecommunications and data communications markets such as optical switches and high capacity network routers.

Both series feature high current densities, with the SMT30E achieving in excess of 136A per cubic inch. They also maximize efficiency and usable power as both converter series achieve 92 percent at 12V in, 3.3V out. A further advantage, Artesyn said, is that the high switching frequency minimizes the number of external capacitors that are needed, and allows the use of smaller, lower profile magnetic components.

Both the SIL30E and SMT30E accommodate output voltages from 0.8V to 3.63V and can deliver up to 30A. According to the company, this is at least 75 percent more current than any comparably sized competitive product on the market. The new non-isolated POL converters are also fully compatible with similar products produced by other members of the Point-Of-Load Alliance, which includes Texas Instruments, Astec Power of Emerson Network Power and Ericsson Power Modules.

Intended primarily for boards that use distributed power architectures with an intermediate 12V bus, the two POL converters provide designers with a flexible means of handling different voltage conversion requirements. They have a wide input voltage range of 8V to 14V, enabling a variety of isolated bricks and intermediate bus converters to be used for generating the bus voltage, as well as supporting a 12V ac/dc power architecture. Furthermore, even when delivering their full 30A current, these devices have a wide output trim range of 0.8V to 3.63V.

Both converters feature remote sense and remote on/off facilities, have no minimum load requirement, and are comprehensively protected against over-temperature and short-circuit conditions. They are also suitable for forced air or convection cooled environments and accommodate a wide operational temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, with derating.

In OEM quantities of 1,000, unit prices are $23 for both the vertical- mount SIL30E and the surface-mount SMT30E. Standard lead-time for both models is stock to 6 to 8 weeks.