A Graphical Approach To MOSFET Evaluation
Oct 1, 2005
Using a new version of power MOSFET figure of
merit and constant-power dissipation curves,
designers can calculate the optimum combination
of factors to select a device for a power supply
application and minimize its dissipation....
Latched Overcurrent Fault Detector Has Fast Response Time
Oct 1, 2005
OVERCURRENT DETECTOR - the circuit introduced here is a simple and fast-responding overcurrent detector for protection of low-voltage applications. Unlike dedicated hot-swap controllers that impose a long startup delay initiated by undervoltage, this circuit provides protection only 150 µs after the input supply rises above 2.7 V. It also possesses a measure of inrush current limiting during power up, by virtue of the limited gate voltage on an external p-channel switch....
Advances in Discrete Semiconductors March On
Sep 1, 2005
The past three decades have heralded the introduction of MOSFETs, IGBTs, silicon, Schottky and silicon-carbide Schottky diodes, as well as continuing advances in high-voltage rectifiers....
Optimizing Voltage Selection in Buck Converters
Jun 1, 2005
Understanding the impact of input voltage and
gate-drive voltage on MOSFET power losses
enables designers to achieve maximum efficiency
in the design of synchronous buck converters....
MOSFET Susceptibility to Cross Conduction
Apr 1, 2005
A key to success in designing a synchronous buck
converter is limiting the shoot-through or cross
conduction of its power MOSFETs. Using mathematical
formulas, designers can determine the
suitability of a specific device for use as a synchronous
rectifier in the converter....
Buck Converter Losses Under the Microscope
Feb 1, 2005
The synchronous buck converter is the most popular topology in the PC market. The race between the top MOSFET companies is heating up with the rush to design new devices that are faster and better suited to meet the demands of the microprocessor makers....
High-Density Power Package for the PC Market
Nov 1, 2004
The very high current demands of modern PCs have placed pressures on dc-dc converter design engineers to come up with solutions that meet ever-increasing...
MOSFET is Thermally Enhanced for DC-DC
Nov 1, 2004
The SO-8 has been the most popular package type used for power MOSFETs in dc-dc converters for more than a decade. The package is well understood and...
Controllers Guard Against Arc Faults
Nov 1, 2004
Solid-state power controllers (SSPCs) are designed to replace mechanical circuit breakers, which work by tripping when the temperature of their internal...
Package Development Goes with the (Air) Flow
Nov 1, 2004
With the pace of improvements in silicon slowing, power MOSFET manufacturers continue to focus their attention on device packaging. Engineers attending...
Multi-die ICs Optimize Power Control for Automotive
Nov 1, 2004
In many automotive subsystems, there are opportunities to integrate power control and power switch functions. However, the high power levels involved...
Simplifying Power Factor Correction in SMPS
Oct 1, 2004
One in the quest for improved energy efficiency and power quality is the use of active harmonic filter power factor correction (PFC) in switched-mode...
Eric Lidow: Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Sep 1, 2004
To list the highlights of Eric Lidow's career in power electronics is to chronicle many of this industry's milestones dating back to the introduction...
Fully Integrated DC-DC Converters
Aug 1, 2004
In the not-so-distant past, virtually every component of a power supply was a discrete unit from the controller IC to the MOSFETs and everything around...
