The Secret Mixed-Signal Life of PWM Peripherals

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) peripherals have enjoyed a long association with microcontrollers and power control, starting with motor control and then, more recently, power conversion. ...

P-Channel Power MOSFETs Approach N-Channel Performance

Using the latest generation of trench and polar power MOSFET technologies, we have developed both trench and polar P-Channel power MOSFETs that retain all the features of comparable N-Channel power MOSFETs such as very fast switching, voltage control, ease of paralleling and excellent temperature stability. They are intended for applications that require the convenience of reverse polarity operation. They have an n-type body region that provides lower resistivity in the body region and good avalanche characteristics because the parasitic PNP transistor is less prone to turn-on. Compared with N-channel power MOSFETs having similar design features, P-channel power MOSFETs have better FBSOA (Forward Bias Safe Operating Area) and are practically immune to Single Event Burnout phenomena . The most important advantage of P-channel Power MOSFETs is the simplified gate driving technique in the High-Side (HS) switch position . ...

Coupled-Choke Topology Improves 2-Phase Buck Converter

Today’s microprocessor require high-current low-voltage dc-dc converters with fast transient response. Synchronous rectifiers are used to power microprocessor loads. Since today’s microprocessors demand higher than 100A current at 1.0V and below. Multi phase interleaved buck convertors are used to generate this voltage. To get faster transient response, buck inductor value has to be reduced which causes higher peak current and hence increased losses and lower efficiency. ...

Understanding the Right-Half-Plane Zero

In last month's article, it was found that the right-half-plane zero (RHPZ) presence forces the designer to limit the maximum duty-cycle slew rate by...

Improving Power Quality Immunity in Factory Automation

Power quality events are of increasing concern because today's computers, PLCs, adjustable-speed drives (ASDs) and automated manufacturing devices, are...

DSP-Based 20-bit Quasi-Absolute Encoder Suits Low Speed

A high-accuracy 20-bit resolution quasi-absolute encoder with DSP-based signal processing is housed in a dc stepper motor assembly, as shown in Fig. 1....

Novel Zero Crossing SSR Technique/Circuit

Switching ac power on and off has been a challenge since Edison and others started switching power more than 125 years ago. Now, a solid-state relay (SSR)...

Are Engineers Being Left Behind?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the present economic conditions in our nation have led to 12.5 million nonfarm unemployed, or about...

Study Sees Alarming Use of Energy, Materials in Newer Manufacturing Processes

Modern Manufacturing Methods are spectacularly inefficient in their use of energy and materials, according to a detailed Massachusetts Institute of Technology...

PSMA Provides Online Energy-Efficiency Database

The Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) recently announced availability of its Online Energy-Efficiency Database (EEDB) as a service to the...

Kentucky, Argonne to Help Build Domestic Battery Industry

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Louisville (U of L) are partnering with Argonne National Laboratory...

2-Terminal Current Source Boasts High Accuracy, Programmability and Stability

Linear Technology's recently introduced LT3092 is a 2-terminal programmable current source, typically defined as a circuit that delivers or absorbs current....

NEW products

DC-DC Power Supplies RECOM'S RCD series of constant current LED drivers has been extended to a maximum of 1,200 mA to provide the higher currents needed...

Patents

CONTROLLER FOR A POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME Issued April 21, 2009 U.S. Patent 7,521,907 Cervera, et al A controller for use with...