50 Most-Read New Product Stories of 2014: 30 to 21

30: Ultra-compact µDC-DC Converters

TDK Corporation presents a new series of ultra-compact EPCOS µDC-DC converters. They feature a footprint of only 2.9 mm x 2.3 mm and an insertion height of 1 mm. One 6-MHz power switch is embedded in the miniature PCB. The integrated power module saves up to 35 percent space compared with conventional discrete solutions. The modules are designed for an input voltage range of 2.2-Vdc and 5.5-Vdc. The new B30000P80 series encompasses eight types offering output voltages from 1.10Vdc to 2.80Vdc. Their maximum output current is 600 mA. The modules feature overload protection and shut down automatically at excess temperatures. As the converters are designed mainly for battery-powered devices. The new µDC-DC converters achieve a very high efficiency of 92 percent. more

29: Ultracapacitors enhance Vibration Resistance and Shock Immunity

Maxwell Technologies, Inc. announced the latest addition to its K2 series of ultracapacitor cells. The new 2.85-V, 3400-Farad ultracapacitor cell increases the range of available specific power and stored energy in the industry-standard 60 mm cylindrical "K2" form factor, and introduces DuraBlue Shock and Vibration Technology, the newest innovation in ultracapacitor reliability and performance. DuraBlue Technology is tested to some of the most demanding environmental requirements for transportation, increasing vibration resistance by approximately 300 percent and shock immunity by 400 percent when compared with ultracapacitor-based competitive offerings. more

28: 90 to 528 Vac Input AC-DC Power Supplies Deliver up to 3W

Aimtec, Inc. announces the release of the AME series ac-dc power supplies. The regulated 1W (AME1-AZ), 2W (AME2-AZ), and 3W (AME3-AZ) series are packaged in a miniature length width and height of only 1.33 x 0.87 x 0.71 inches (33.70 x 22.20 x 18.00 mm). The converters have EMI (EN55022, class B) filtering built-in eliminating the need for external components. more

27: IGBT Modules Rated to 450A for High-Power Industrial Applications

International Rectifier Corp. today introduced a comprehensive family of IGBT modules for high power industrial applications including motor drive inverters, switch mode power supplies (SMPS), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), solar inverters and welding. The family utilizes IR's extremely rugged and reliable IGBT technologies (NPT with Planar-gate and Field Stop with Trench-gate) and established diode technology to offer a range of high efficiency robust modules. Available in industry standard packages with a broad array of configurations and current ratings, the family offers designers the flexibility to easily implement high power systems. The family of 72 modules is available with voltage ratings of 600V or 1200V and a variety of speeds and short circuit ratings enabling designers to optimize systems based on application requirements. more

26: Gate Driver Targets SiC Devices and IGBTs

During last week's Electronica trade fair in Munich, Germany, Mornsun Guangzhou Science & Technology Co., Ltd. was demonstrating the QA01C dc-dc module power supply designed for use as a gate driver for IGBTs and SiC devices requiring two isolated power sources. The mode of mutual connection after two independent outputs is adopted internally for better energy provision of device turn-on and turn-off. Output short circuit protection and self-recovery capabilities are also provided. General applications are expected to include switching power converters, ac servo drives, welding equipment, industrial power conversion and uninterruptible power supplies. more

25: Three-Channel Interleaved CCM PFC Controller shrinks Passives

Designers of high power applications, such as air conditioner power supplies, need power factor correction (PFC) to improve power factor (PF) and harmonics to avoid deteriorating the power grid. To help address these challenges, Fairchild Semiconductor now delivers a unique combination of power devices, design expertise and manufacturing experience to its customers, allowing them to power amazing electronic products. Claiming an industry-first, the FAN9673 is an interleaved continuous conduction mode (CCM) PFC controller that enables high power PFC control using the smallest possible inductors and lowest possible power rating switching devices, extending the capacitors' lifetime. more

24: 20A All-SiC 1.2kV Six-Pack for 5-15kW Three-Phase Designs

Cree, Inc. has expanded the award-winning silicon carbide (SiC) 1.2 kV six-pack power module family with a new 20A all-SiC module ideally suited for 5-15 kW three-phase applications. Based on Cree's C2M™ SiC MOSFET and Z-Rec® SiC Schottky diode technology, the six-pack module enables designers to unlock the traditional constraints of power density, efficiency, and cost associated with Si-based inverters used in industrial power conversion systems. more

23: Precision Current Measurement with Miniature Digital Sensor

With the TLI4970, Infineon Technologies AG is launching a high-precision current sensor, which requires only a sixth of the board space taken up by existing sensors on the market today. Using the TLI4970, it is possible to measure alternating and direct currents up to +/-50A. The fully-digital sensor does not require external calibration. As a result of implemented stray field suppression the sensor is extremely robust against external magnetic fields. It continues to measure with absolute precision even after years of continuous operation with the application's control quality level and also its efficiency remaining constant. It also provides additional functions such as fast overcurrent detection at a pre-configurable level. The TLI4970 is designed for use in solar inverters, charging devices and power supplies as well as for electric drives and for controlling energy-saving LED lighting units. more

22: 1.7kV All-SiC Half-Bridge Power Module

Cree, Inc. has released the industry's first all-SiC 1.7kV power module in an industry-standard 62mm housing. Powered by Cree's C2M™ large area SiC chip technology, the new half-bridge module exhibits an 8mOhm on-resistance and 10-times higher switching efficiency than existing silicon (Si) module technology, capable of replacing Si IGBT modules rated at 400A or more. The breakthrough performance of the new 1.7kV all-SiC power module allows design engineers to simultaneously reduce the size and cost of magnetic and cooling elements while achieving superior system efficiency and reliability. Unlike existing silicon-based systems in motor drive, grid-tie and utility scale solar inverter applications, the new Cree® power module also enables lower production costs and the development of smaller, lighter products with a lower overall total cost of ownership. more

21: Ultracapacitors Operate at 200 Degrees C, aiming for 250 Degrees

FastCAP Systems, Inc. announced that its newest technology, an ultracapacitor (ultracap) that reliably operates in extreme temperatures (200 degrees C, or roughly 400 degrees F), has successfully completed third party validation testing by Sandia National Laboratory. The newly-validated ultracaps, celebrated as the highest temperature rechargeable energy storage devices in the world, mark a new frontier in ultracap development with major implications in a variety of industries, from energy exploration to defense, and vehicles to consumer electronics. The devices, which are expected to be released commercially later this year for use in the oil, gas and geothermal industries, were developed under a grant that FastCAP received from the Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) in 2012. more