TDK-Lambda Announces New Series Of Embedded Front-End Digitally Controlled Power Supplies

TDK-Lambda announced its new EFE series of embedded front-end power supplies which the company claims delivers industry leading power density, high efficiency, and enhanced reliability. The first products in the range are the 300W EFE-300 and the 400W EFE-400 single output supplies that deliver 133% peak power capability for 10 seconds and offer what is described as a class-leading efficiency of up to 90%.

The EFE series employs an 8-bit microcontroller for full digital control of the output and to handle housekeeping routines According to the company, this brings a 25% parts count reduction to achieve a 45% smaller and up to 56% lighter design when compared to similar recently announced competitive products. Power densities of up to 22W/in³ are achieved under peak load conditions and 16.6W/in³ under continuous loading.

Compact dimensions and a 1U profile (the EFE-300 is only 3 x 5 x 1.34" and the EFE-400 is only 3 x 6 x 1.34") are said to allow the EFE series to be incorporated in designs where space is limited, so end products can be smaller, cooler and more feature rich. Typical applications include broadcast, instrumentation, industrial, ATE, automation, routers, servers and security networks.

The new digitally controlled power supplies are said to incorporate many innovative design features including an integrated magnetics transformer that increases the overall efficiency. The digital control allows the power supply’s performance, such as current limit and start-up characteristics, to be optimized. A primary side control topology is used, supervised by the microcontroller. This is said to result in fewer parts and higher efficiency without sacrificing load regulation performance. Furthermore, the need for an opto-isolator is eliminated.

TDK-Lambda’s Advanced Development Manager, Andrew Skinner commented, "Many of the design features of the EFE Series directly enhance reliability. For example, having precise control of abnormal situations through proprietary algorithms prevents device overstress. In addition, better circuit noise immunity is achieved compared to analog designs, and the substantial parts count reduction allows for more optimized component spacing leading to improved thermal performance."

The EFE-300 delivers 300W continuous power (400W peak for 10 seconds) with nominal outputs of 12V/25A or 24V/12.5A, and the EFE-400 delivers 400W continuous power (530W peak for 10 seconds) with nominal outputs of 12V/33.3A or 24V/16.7A. All models can be precisely factory programmed to accommodate non-standard system voltages. An additional 12V/0.25A fan supply output is also available and all models operate from a 90-264Vac input. Active power factor correction ensures EN61000-3-2 compliance. Other EMC improving design features, such as the use of SiC diodes, ensure Curve B EMC performance with a significant margin.

All products in TDK-Lambda’s EFE Series are approved to IEC/EN/UL/CSA 60950-1 for general purpose applications and IEC/EN 61010-1 for laboratory and process control applications. In addition, the units carry the CE mark according to the LV Directive, and are RoHS compliant.

The EFE series are available now with prices starting at $150.00 each in 500 piece quantities.