Design Support

Back to Basics: Zero Voltage Switching – What it is and Why it’s Important for Buck Voltage Regulation

April 23, 2013
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Back to Basics: Zero Voltage Switching – What it is and Why it’s Important for Buck Voltage Regulation

Buck voltage regulation, an essential part of distributing power from a DC supply to its points of load (POLs), has typically been implemented with a PWM circuit. The PWM duty cycle is varied to accommodate the required voltage reduction. However a couple of factors have applied increasing pressure to regulator design. Firstly, power density is being forced up as continuously more powerful devices are designed onto boards without corresponding increase in footprint. Secondly, DC power supply voltage levels are tending to rise to minimize distribution losses, while device voltages are reducing to increase internal...

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Learning about the Power Component Design Methodology

April 3, 2013
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Learning about the Power Component Design Methodology

This post looks at the three reasons and three distinct advantages that power components offer in your power system design.

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400V DC Power Distribution Improves Efficiency for Telecom and Datacom Applications

March 5, 2013
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With telecom and datacenters becoming ever more important to our work and leisure activities, the demand placed upon these applications is increasing dramatically. Every percentage-point increase in efficiency results in significant cash saving for the operator – and hopefully, the customer – in the cost of wasted power.

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What to Consider when Choosing a Buck Regulator

March 4, 2013
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What to Consider when Choosing a Buck Regulator

In our previous post, an interview with Robert Gendron, VP, Strategic Marketing and Business Development for Picor, we asked, What is a Buck Regulator? In this second in the series, we look at how to choose the product that is right for your design.

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Webinar: A New Top-Down Approach to Power System Design

February 5, 2013
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Webinar: A New Top-Down Approach to Power System Design

I’ve spent many years working with companies to help them architect power distribution in their designs. The most common approach, where engineers segment large power systems, designing each section in isolation (pardon the pun!), has been used for years. But is this the best way?

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Back to Basics: What does Power Factor Mean and Why Must We Correct it?

February 4, 2013
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Back to Basics: What does Power Factor Mean and Why Must We Correct it?

Today’s commercial, industrial, retail and even domestic premises are increasingly populated by electronic devices such as PCs, monitors, servers and photocopiers which are usually powered by switched mode power supplies (SMPS). If not properly designed, these can present non-linear loads which impose harmonic currents and possibly voltages onto the mains power network.   Harmonics can damage cabling and equipment within this network, as well as other equipment connected to it. Problems include overheating and fire risk, high voltages and circulating currents, equipment malfunctions and component failures, and other possible consequences.   A non-linear load...

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Synthesis of Input Line Current in Power Factor Correction Control

January 24, 2013
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Synthesis of Input Line Current in Power Factor Correction Control

Last year, Vicor presented a poster session at PCIM Europe in Nuremberg, Germany. Below is the paper from the show. Vicor will again be attending and presenting at this year’s event. Here’s a link to the conference program PCIM Europe 2013. PCIM Europe 2013 (14-16 May in Nuremburg, Germany).

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Back to Basics: Understanding and Mitigating the Growing Problem of Distribution Losses

December 27, 2012
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Back to Basics: Understanding and Mitigating the Growing Problem of Distribution Losses

There are many articles available describing how to overcome power distribution losses with suitable power conversion devices and architectures. This post goes back to basics: explaining the underlying issues of distribution losses and the principles of their solution.

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Achieving Optimized, Minimum-component Input Filters for Transformer-coupled ZVS Buck-Boost DC-DC Converters

November 8, 2012
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Achieving Optimized, Minimum-component Input Filters for Transformer-coupled ZVS Buck-Boost DC-DC Converters

Transformer-coupled ZVS buck-boost DC-DC converters provide highly efficient solutions for telecommunication power systems. However they may need input filters for protection from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and high frequency input noise. These filters must be stable over the operating frequency range.

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What is a Buck Regulator?

November 7, 2012
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We interviewed the VP responsible for the Picor product line, Robert Gendron, tapping into his knowledge about the design and performance considerations for buck regulators when powering embedded devices. Because it turned out to be such a great interview, with lots of great information, we’ll be posting his responses as a series over the next couple of months.

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