Ericsson Delivers Three-Millionth Board-to-Board DC-DC Converter

Ericsson Power Modules announced the shipment of its three-millionth board-to board dc-dc converter, a landmark that has been achieved since this technology was first introduced in 2004.

In 2001, responding to environmental concerns in Japan and Europe, Ericsson Power Modules claims that it was the first in the power industry to release lead-free solder products, the PKD series. The market response to Ericsson Power Modules’ PKD series dc-dc power converters motivated the company to extend the use of its board-to-board technique first developed for high-volume projects, notably in its MacroDens PKF/PKR, and recently in its PKD-E.

The board-to-board technology introduced in 2004 by Ericsson Power Modules in the BMP (board-mounted product) segment is claimed by the company to be an important step when it is necessary to comply with cost-efficiency parameters without compromising the effect of the product on the environment. Removing molding, ceramic substrates, lead-frames, and adopting the use of lower thermodynamic sub-assemblies has contributed to reducing the board-to-board modules’ mass by 30%. This means that they require less energy during the manufacturing process and also when being assembled into the customer’s host equipment.

It is not always possible to accommodate full functionality on one side of a board. But when it is possible, the board-to-board technique is claimed to be the best platform for reducing the use of substances such as epoxy molding, or other compounds that add cost and complexity when equipment end-of-life is reached and recycling is necessary. Ericsson Power Modules claims to have been the first company in the board-mounted power industry to use such technology in low and mid-power dc-dc converters.