98% Efficient DC-DCs deliver up to 2,870 W/in3

Vicor Corporation today announced the expansion of its Bus Converter Module (BCM®) series of isolated, fixed conversion ratio, dc-dc converters. The new converters, which combine Vicor's sine-amplitude dc-dc conversion technology with Vicor's unique thermally adept Converter housed in Package (ChiP) packaging technology, feature more than five times the output power capability, 25% lower heat loss and over four times the power density of best-in-class contemporary products.

Designed for use in nominal 48 Volt power systems, these new converters operate over an input voltage range of 36 to 60 Volts and are available in two conversion factors: a K=1/4 unit with output voltage that is one-fourth of its input voltage and delivers up to 1,950 Watts of power; and a K=1/6 unit with output voltage that is one-sixth of its input voltage and delivers up to 1,500 Watts of power. Available in a 6123 (61 x 23 mm) ChiP through-hole package, the units feature a typical 98% operating efficiency and market-leading power density of up to 2,870 W/in3. Configuration options include Analog or PMBus control interfaces and commercial or military temperature operating ranges.

Requiring less board area and fewer thermal management and output filter components than other solutions, these new BCMs, when combined with downstream regulators, enable customers to configure low cost 48 Volt power systems -- as used, for example, in Telecom and Datacom datacenters and Power over Ethernet (PoE) applications -- with unprecedented levels of density and efficiency. Product and demo boards are available now. Pricing starts at $150 in 1,000 unit volumes for the 6123 ChiP packaged device.