50 Most-Read Power Electronics Stories of 2012: 30 to 21
The following is a listing (with links for the full story) of the most read stories on PowerPulse.Net for 2012, thus providing a window into the "pulse" of the trends and interests in the Power Electronics Industry. This is the third article in the series, which will continue next week.
30: IR Introduces Third Generation SupIRBuck PoL Voltage Regulators for Netcom, Server and Storage Applications
International Rectifier (IR)® introduced its third generation of integrated, feature-rich SupIRBuck® synchronous buck voltage regulators designed to address the new requirements of emerging energy efficient netcom, server and storage applications. The new SupIRBuck single output devices feature a newly patented modulator scheme that generates the industry's smallest, jitter free pulse widths. The ability to generate narrow pulses coupled with robust source/sync current handling capability makes this family ideal for generating DDR memory termination voltage directly from 12Vin.
The full story can be found here
29: Silicon Labs Delivers First Isolated Analog-to-Digital Converters for AC Mains Monitoring
Silicon Laboratories Inc. introduced what it says is the industry's first isolated 10-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) products designed specifically for the demands of mains line monitoring. The new Si890x family combines Silicon Labs' patented CMOS-based digital isolation technology and its proven ADC technology to create a robust line voltage monitoring and protection solution for power management applications such as solar power inverters, switched-mode and uninterruptible power supplies, and industrial applications with sensors in high-voltage areas requiring isolated data acquisition.
The full story can be found here
28: SL Power Announces Convection Cooled 120W Power Supply for Home Healthcare and Portable Medical Device Applications
SL Power Electronics announced the MINT1175, single output, open-frame medical power supply family. Packaged in 2 x 4 inch footprint (51 x 102 mm), the MINT1175 delivers 120W, the highest convection cooled power in such form factor, and up to 175W with forced air cooling above 90% efficiency. Exceeding the medical device strict requirements, the MINT1175 has the lowest earth leakage current with less than 200µA, satisfies 2MOPP reinforced isolation requirements of IEC60601-1 3rd edition, and can be purchased as Class I or II configurations. The MINT1175 family ranges from 12 to 56Vdc output and operates over -40 to 70°C temperature range with standard interface signals.
The full story can be found here
27: No Wireless Charging in iPhone 5
Apple's introduction of the iPhone 5 was lacking in at least one area: there is no wireless charging capability. The Nokia Lumina 920, introduced recently, was the first U.S. smartphone to have embedded wireless charging compatible with the Qi standard. In all, products from over 120 companies are certified as compliant with the Qi standard, according to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC).
Neither Apple nor Samsung are members of the WPC, even though 8.5 million Qi-capable devices have been sold worldwide. The largest market for wireless charging is Japan, where it is almost impossible to purchase a mobile phone without the capability embedded in it, according to the WPC.
The full story can be found here
26: Power-One Announces Digital Power Management Patent License With TDK-Lambda
Power-One, Inc. and TDK-Lambda Corp. announced that they entered into a non-exclusive, worldwide, license agreement for Digital Power Technology (DPT) patents from Power-One. Power-One's DPT applies to dc-dc board-mounted power applications in the server, storage, networking, and telecom industries, where board densities are increasing and the power management solutions required to drive FPGA's, ASICS, DSP's and other semiconductor devices are becoming more and more complex.
The full story can be found here
25: PDE Total Energy Solutions and Dynapower Launch the Smart Micro-Grid Energy System
Dynapower in support of PDE Total Energy Solutions and The Electrical Training Institute (ETI) of Southern California have collaborated and launched a Smart Micro-Grid Energy System. This system combines Energy Storage, Solar Generation, Electrical Vehicle Charging and building load management in one unit. The system will enable ETI to operate the micro grid, both grid-connected and in an electrical island, for extended periods of time with full Bumpless UPS transfer capability.
The system is a first of its kind, merging the solar generation, car charging and battery energy storage on the dc side and providing a single ac port to serve the micro-grid loads. This system sets the stage for the next generation of commercial, community and military micro-grids where energy surety and efficiency are required. The system includes various modes of operation including renewable smoothing, Peak Shaving, VAR control and EV charge leveling. The system is receiving UL1741 and IEEE1547 field listing status.
The full story can be found here
24: Powin Energy and Ideal Power Converters to Co-develop Modular Grid Storage Solution
Powin Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Powin Corp., announced it will begin utilizing Ideal Power Converters' (IPC) patented bi-directional battery converters as part of the Powin Energy Grid Storage Solution. IPC is a leader in developing disruptive electronic power converter products. Through this development agreement, Powin and IPC will jointly develop the Powin Energy Module Grid Storage solution and validate the system with independent testing labs and utilities.
The full story can be found here
23: Ford and SunPower to Offer Rooftop Solar Charging of EVs
Ford Motor Co. and SunPower Corp. have teamed up to offer customers a rooftop solar system that will allow Focus Electric owners to "Drive Green for Life" by providing customers with enough clean, renewable energy to offset the electricity used to charge the vehicle.
The 2.5 kilowatt rooftop solar system is comprised of the SunPower® E18 Series solar panels that produce an average of 3,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. These high-efficiency solar panels generate approximately 50 percent more electricity than conventional panels and utilize a smaller footprint on the roof. The system was sized to accommodate a customer who drives about 1,000 miles per month.
The full story can be found here
22: Emerson Network Power Adds 415V Capability to Liebert Rack Power Distribution Units
Emerson Network Power, a business of Emerson (NYSE:EMR) and a global leader in maximizing availability, capacity and efficiency of critical infrastructure, today introduced 415V input configurations for its Liebert MPX and Liebert MPH rack Power Distribution Units (rack PDUs), to enable the distribution of higher voltage power to IT equipment, thereby increasing efficiency in the power distribution system. All voltages of both technologies also feature a 65kAIC withstand rating for ensured reliability and safety under extreme utility conditions, the products are currently shipping to customers in North America, with availability in Central and South America
The full story can be found here
21: Automotive BLDC Motor Drivers from Melexis Bring LIN-ready Single Chip Solution for BLDC Motors and Actuators
Melexis announced the next Generation IC Family for sensor-less and sensor based BLDC motor control for automotive applications. The new IC family follows the very successful MLX81200 core integration concept. This newest family of driver ICs combines voltage regulator, LIN -Transceiver, MCU, EEPROM, Flash, RAM, Power FET Pre-Driver and several dedicated circuit blocks for highly efficient BLDC motor control from a single IC. Customers can realize a very small PCB design with an absolute minimum BOM to create simple or sophisticated actuators.
The new IC family consists of 4 base family members; MLX81205, MLX81207, MLX81210 and MLX81215. Each is available in different memory configurations and in different package options. The IC family is 45V load dump protected and will be qualified according AEC-Q100 Grade 0 for high temperature automotive application support.
The full story can be found here
