New Industry Products

Ericsson 400W Power Interface Module Simplifies Low-EMI Design in ATCA Applications

March 10, 2011 by Jeff Shepard

Ericsson Power Modules announced the PIM4328P, a new 390-540W power interface module (PIM) compliant with the 300W de facto industry-standard footprint. The quarter-brick PIM4328P is optimized to simplify design in blade servers based on Advanced TCA (PICMG 3.0) systems. Ericsson states that its low-EMI design rules and best practices ensure that minimal external filtering is needed to meet the CISPR Class B EMC standards required for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) applications. Ripple and noise are minimized, circuit design is simplified, and both parts count and system costs are reduced, without compromising performance.

Based on Ericsson’s energy optimized platform, the PIM4328P operates over an input range of 36 to 75V and the main unit is able to sustain a permanent output current of 10A without forced airflow up to +70°C and up to +90°C with only 2.0m/s (400LFM). Output power is 390W at minimum 39V input and up to 540W when the input is minimum 54V. This allows headroom when there is a need to upgrade boards with new processors or additional memory in systems operating in battery or non-battery back-up applications.

"Ericsson Power Modules is not the first company to introduce a Power Interface Module. However, in response to customer requirements, we have developed a highly optimized product that combines exceptionally low EMI with very high efficiency," said Patrick Le Fèvre, Marketing and Communication Director at Ericsson Power Modules. "The PIM4328P is the first in a planned line of products to support our customers with the next generation of PIMs that deliver higher power and integrate standardized user interface," he added.

With 99% typical efficiency at 300W output, the PIM4328P maintains the high standards of dynamic and load step performance required in ATCA equipment while limiting power losses across the filtering unit to a very low level.

The 2250Vdc isolated, dual power management, 12W dc-dc output voltages are 3.3V/3.6A and 5V/0.15A. Other features of the PIM4328P include protection against input transients, reverse polarity, over-temperature, over-current, input under-voltage, and inrush current. The module complies with RoHS requirement, have integral hot swap functionality and hold-up charge and discharge management. The inputs include dual power feeds with OR’ing functionality and ’enable’ signaling.

MTBF is 1.8 million hours (Telcordia SR-332 Issue 2, Method 1) and meets safety requirements according to IEC/EN/UL 60950-1.

The new PIM is suitable for any industrial, telecommunications and data communications application employing distributed power architecture. The PIM4328P is available now, priced at 43 USD each in OEM quantities.