Vicor Introduces Advanced Modular Power Platform
The Brick Business Unit of Vicor Corp. announced the introduction of an advanced modular power platform: the VI BRICK™. The VI BRICK family incorporates the technical attributes of VI Chip™ technology and a robust packaging that facilitates thermal management and through-hole assembly. Models include high-current density/low-voltage dc-dc converters, a wide range of bus converters, and individual modules for both regulation and transformation.
VI BRICK BCMs™ is said to provide a highly efficient solution for Intermediate Bus Architecture or point-of-load (POL) designs that require multiple output voltages. They are available with nominal input voltages including 48Vdc (11 models) and high voltage up to 380Vdc (three models) and a wide array of output voltages from 1.5 to 48Vdc.
Vicor states that the efficiency and compact size of these modules yields power density up to 390 W/in³ and their fast transient response means that less capacitance is required for energy storage near the load, which equates to space and cost savings.
VI BRICK PRM™ and VTM™ modules offer a flexible and scalable architecture for dc-dc power conversion utilizing Factorized Power™ in a robust "brick-like" package designed for efficient thermal management.
The very flexible architecture facilitates several design configurations including multiple outputs, high power arrays, high-current/low voltage, high voltage, and separation of regulation and transformation for board spacing and thermal management. These models include six PRMs (Pre-Regulator Module), which perform the regulation function, and twelve VTM (Voltage Transformation Module) that take the "factorized bus voltage" from the PRM and provide transformation and isolation.
Vicor states that the VI BRICK 48V dc-dc converters use advanced Sine Amplitude Converter™ technology, thermally enhanced packaging technologies, and advanced CIM processes to provide high power density and efficiency, superior transient response, and improved thermal management. There are thirteen different models with isolated outputs ranging from 1 to 48Vdc.
VI BRICK models are available in a base temperature grade of -40 to +100°C, operating, and -40 to +125°C, storage, with a slotted-flange baseplate and through-hole pin style. All modules of the VI BRICK family are RoHS compliant and compatible with lead free wave soldering processes.
The VI BRICK PRM, VTM, and BCM are said to be robust, thermally proficient and compact with a footprint of 2.08 in² and low profile of 0.37 inches (dimensions of 1.91 X 1.09 X 0.37 inches (48,6 X 27,7 X 9,5 mm). The VI BRICK dc-dc converter modules have similar packaging but with dimensions of 2.19 X 1.91 X 0.37 inches (55,7 X 48,6 X 9,5mm).
Pricing for modules of the VI BRICK family ranges from as low as $33 USD in OEM quantities and lead times can be as little as 4-6 weeks for samples.
