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Design a small, efficient 4A step-down converter in just minutes! New in EE-Sim, Maxim’s online design and simulation tool, are the MAX15050 and MAX15051. These 2mm x 2mm DC-DC regulators have integrated MOSFETs and other features that simplify and shrink your design. Use EE-Sim to evaluate the MAX15050 or MAX15051 for your next point-of-load power-supply project!

Learn more about the MAX15050, MAX15051 or go directly to the MAX15050 or MAX15051 in EE-Sim.

MAX15050 – Design a small, efficient 4A step-down converter - [Link]

If you need an isolated power supply for some part of your device, Traco TMH series DC/DC converters will create this second voltage to you. 

Imagine, that in the whole device we only have 5 Volts but for one integrated we need a higher voltage. Or we even have a suitable voltage, but for a protection of input voltages, suppression of disturbances etc. we need an isolated power supply for a given part of our device …

For such cases we keep in our standard stock offer many isolating DC/DC converters from company Traco Electronic, but we´d like to introduce to you miniature “retiring” 2W DC/DC converters of the TMH series with an excellent price/ performance ratio. It can be said, that the TMH series represents a golden middle way as for specification, efficiency, dimensions and price. Reliable regulation within 10% at 20-100% load, miniature SIP package and a wide temperature range of -40 to +85°C suit to the most of applications. Available are versions with a single (S) but also dual (D) output voltage.

TMH series is very useful in places, where it is necessary to use isolated power supply, but in regards to its affordable price and miniature dimensions is the TMH series suitable even in places, where an isolated power supply is not inevitably necessary but it can help to increase immunity to disturbances, ground loops and other unexpected influences, which can occur. A big advantage of the TMH series is the 100% 8h burn-in. A novelty in our stock is the type TMH0515S 5VDC/15VDC. Detailed information can be found in the TMH datasheet.
In case of interest, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.

TMH 0515 – when one voltage is equal to two – [Link]

Here is an app note from Microchip describing the design of a solar power DC-DC converter.

The focus of this application note is to identify how to get the maximum power out of a solar panel to power a remote application.

[via]

App note: Solar power DC-DC converter - [Link]

by Steven Keeping:

Traditionally, switching DC/DC converters (voltage regulators) were controlled using analog techniques because these were simple to implement and helped to maximize the power supply’s efficiency. Digital components were too slow and power greedy to challenge analog dominance.

However, over the past several years the introduction of high-speed, low power consumption and inexpensive silicon has rekindled interest in “digital power management.”

Armed with these new chips, designers are keen to take advantage of features such as the ease with which digital control enables optimization of the power supply by adaptation of a closed-loop response – even allowing adjustment “on the fly” to suit changes in the operating environment or to compensate for factors such as capacitive loading and component aging.

This article considers the benefits that digital power brings to voltage regulators by comparing an analog power supply with its digital equivalent. The article then continues by describing some of the latest digital regulators released by major vendors that take advantage of the control techniques discussed.

The Rise of Digital Control for DC/DC Regulation - [Link]

Vicor Corporation announced the expansion of its ultra-high density Picor Cool-Power PI31xx series of isolated, ZVS-based DC-DC converters optimized for 24 V industrial, 28 V aerospace and defense, and demanding wide temperature applications. The new converters retain the product series’ signature 0.87″ x 0.65″ x 0.265″ (2.2 x 1.65 x 0.67 cm) surface-mount package profile to provide up to 334 W/in3 power density and 2.25 kV input to output isolation. The new converters utilize an advanced Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) architecture and high-performance planar magnetics to enable IC-like density and greater PCB layout flexibility in space-constrained environments. The high-switching frequency (900 kHz) of the converters reduces input filter and output capacitance requirements, further reducing space constraints. [via]

Lots of Power in Very Small Volume - [Link]

by Ashok Bindra:

Whether for driving white LED backlights or powering RF and analog circuits, laptops, tablets and other mobile devices often require voltages that are much higher than the input supply voltage. Consequently, step-up or boost DC/DC converters generate output voltages that are several times the input to serve a variety of circuits and functions in these systems. For instance, in battery powered systems, the input normally is 5 V and below, while voltages as high as 15 and 24 V or more are needed to power RF/analog functions or drive thin-film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Similarly, high voltages also are needed to bias avalanche photodiodes (APDs) found in optical receivers.

Generating High DC Output Voltage from Low Input Supply - [Link]

Ashok Bindra writes:

In their most basic form, charge pumps are circuits that generate a voltage larger than the supply voltage from which they operate. Traditionally, charge pumps have been perceived to have limited voltage capability, offering performance that is seen as filling a niche in the range between low-dropout LDOs and switching regulators. Nonetheless, there are benefits that make them attractive for certain applications. For instance, charge pumps deliver higher efficiency with good thermal management and have the flexibility to step up a voltage, step it down, or invert the input voltage. Since they use capacitors to store and transfer energy, charge pumps also are simple to design and do not require an inductor, which can be more costly, has higher output-noise levels, and frequently lowers output-current capability.

Charge Pumps Tackle Higher-Voltage Applications - [Link]

The highest power density in a compact SIP package – it is the biggest contribution of TRACOPOWER TMR 6 series isolation DC/DC modules.

6 Watts is already a considerable power. However, thanks to modern technologies in a construction of switch-mode power supplies, neither such a powerful source doesn´t require to reserve a lot of space on a PCB – 2 cm2 are fully sufficient for TRACO TMR 6 na to úplne postačujú 2 cm². In other words – from this little area a user gains an insulated regulated power supply of for example 5V/1,2A without a need for an additional cooling or other restrictions.

32 types in four voltage ranges (4,5 to 75V) provide eight fully regulated output voltages (3.3, 5.0, 9.0, 12, 15, ±5.0, ±12 and ±15 VDC). For a given application it is only necessary to choose an appropriate type for a required input / output voltage and TMR6 will ensure a reliable regulation even at high changes of input voltage (max. 0,2% output drift at V_INMIN to V_INMAX). As we are already used to at the Traco Power mark, DC/DC modules are constructed for a continuous operation in industrial environment. They are able to operate in a range of temperatures of -40 to +65°C (without power derating)and they resist to an indefinite short circuit. TMR 6 can be controlled remotely, what decreases its power consumption in a no-load condition and enables a remote switching on/ off of target devices at the same time.

Detailed information will provide you the TMR 6 datasheet.

Guide price is approx. 15 Eur/pce (depending on quantity), MOQ starts already from 1 piece.

6 Watts compressed into a SIP package – TRACO TMR 6 - [Link]

If we want to obtain a 5V voltage from only 2 NiMH batteries, we´ll face the fact, that the most of common DC/DC circuits doesn´t operate at such a low voltage. LT1304 controller belongs among circuits, which handle this situation without problems and it also provides several extra things.

To obtain 3.3 or 5V from a lower voltage is a typical requirement at battery-powered or portable devices. Naturally, to obtain 5V it is also possible to use 4-5 NiMH cells or 2 Li-Po cells, but then the device is uselessly bigger, heavier and more expensive. The solution is just the usage of a suitable step-up circuit. LT1304 from Linear Technology belongs to “MicroPower” DC/DC step-up circuits operating already from a very small voltage, 1.5V typically. 

Thanks to a very low power consumption (10uA/Shutdown) and a built-in independent low battery detector, it is optimized for usage with batteries. LT1304 needs for its operation only a few external components – 2 capacitors, 1 inductor and 1 diode is all that is necessary to create an operating DC/DC circuit.
LT1304 is available in 3 versions – LT1304VCS8-5, LT1304CS8-3,3 with fixed voltages and LT1304CS8 with adjustable output. Versions with fixed output voltages don´t need a divider in a feedback, what further simplifies a circuit.

Read the rest of this entry »

The LTM4620 is a dual 13A per output (or single 26A output) DC/DC μModule step-down regulator that delivers up to 100A when four devices are current shared. The LTM4620 is a complete DC/DC regulator system in a 15mm x 15mm x 4.41mm LGA package, including inductors, power stages and all control circuits. For optimum heat dissipation, an integrated top side heat sink removes heat quickly and evenly.

LTM4620 – Dual 13A or Single 26A DC/DC µModule Regulator with integrated heatsink  - [Link]