Introduction

Highlights of this issue include new product releases from Linear Technology, Ericsson Power Modules, Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe and TTi; design features on energy-efficient computing and audio power-amplifier; power electronics-related design ideas; schedule of the PCIM 2010 and the POWER-GEN Europe conferences; and research studies on 2009 audio power amplifiers.

 

10 December 2009

Voltage up-converter for tiny energy-harvesting sources
LTC3108 is an integrated step-up DC/DC converter that Linear Technology designed to start-up and run from extremely low input voltage sources such as thermoelectric generators (TEGs), thermopiles and small solar cells. Its self-resonant topology steps up from input voltages as low as 20mV.
Linear Technology


24V input DC/DC module
The new 24V input PKM2810EPI from Ericsson Power Modules is a 3.3V/25A output module delivering up to 82.5W. The module is based on the same cost optimised platform used in the quarter-brick PKM-E series. The module’s high efficiency offers a good thermal derating performance, saving cost by simplifying thermal design.
Ericsson Power Modules


Fast transient response DC/DC converter IC
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe has announced a new two-channel DC/DC converter IC with fast transient response times, for use in digital products such as LCD TVs, and digital video recorders. The MB39A145 IC utilises a ‘bottom detection comparator method’ and includes new comparator circuits that provide changes in voltage for changes in current to realise a more stable, low ripple output voltage.
Fujitsu Microelectronics Europe


280W dual power supply with enhanced precision
TTi has upgraded its EX354D bench power supply to improve its precision. The new model, the EX354RD, has 4digit meters for both voltage and current along with switchable remote sense terminals. The power supply has two independent and isolated outputs of 0-35V at 0-4A.
TTi
 

Industry Standards Lead Push Toward Energy-Efficient Computing
Environmental concerns and rising energy costs are driving industry and government groups to develop requirements for high efficiency ac and dc power conversion, leading to energy-efficient servers. Meeting the newest specifications will demand knowledge of competing power-conversion topologies, components, and design.


Audio PA betters Class-D for battery-driven speakers
Audium Semiconductor is a recently founded fabless chip-maker that has designed a power-amplifier chip offering very high efficiency at normal listening levels. It is targeting designers of products such as wireless speakers, home-theatre surroundsound speakers and battery-powered travel speakers.

Using high-current integrated-switch power-regulator ICs
Switching regulators with integrated power transistors provide simplicity, require few components, and make compact step-down power supplies. Few of these devices can supply more than 5A of load current; so, when designing with these high-current integrated-switch regulators, you must consider thermal management, bypassing of the supply voltage, and board layout.


Power-management chip for latest embedded processors
Wolfson Microelectronics has introduced a new series of configurable power-management devices, the first being the WM8320 for use in portable multimedia and other handheld, batterypowered products. At an earlier stage in the development of its product line, Wolfson combined its audio-codec technology with power management in chips such as its WM8350.
 

PCIM 2010, 4-6 May 2010, at Nuremberg, Germany
PCIM (Power Conversion Intelligent Motion) offers a meeting-point for experts out of the areas power electronics and its applications in intelligent motion and power quality. From the latest developments in power semiconductors, passive components, products for thermal management, new materials, sensors as well as servo-technology and the wide area of power quality and energy-management - PCIM offers a comprehensive, focused and compact presentation of products.

POWER-GEN Europe, 8-10 June 2010 at Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The eighteenth POWER-GEN Europe conference and exhibition stages in Amsterdam in June 2010, alongside its co-located events Renewable Energy World Europe, POWERGRID Europe and new for 2010, Nuclear Power Europe. A three-day event, POWER-GEN Europe brings together major players in the power industry.

 

2009 Audio Power Amplifiers
Audio power amplifiers, which are the focus subject of this report, are electronic amplifiers that improve the strength of very low-power audio signals to a level suitable for driving speakers or headphones. It does this by taking energy from a power supply and controlling the output to match the input signal shape but with larger amplitude. This is typically the final stage in an audio playback signal chain.
 

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