Brittis Test Page-2
Session textval
Session Titefor popup
This is Anthony's Test Page
MP5416 Widget
-
ARTICLE
MEETING THE IMPEDANCE MASK: STRATEGIES FOR PDN DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATIONARTICLEIn telecommunication applications, target impedance serves as a crucial benchmark for PDN design. It ensures that the die operates within an acceptable level of rail voltage noise, even under the worst-case transient current scenarios, by defining the maximum allowable PDN impedance for the power rail on the die. This article will focus on the optimization techniques to meet the target impedance ...
-
ARTICLE
SELECTING THE OPTIMAL POL CONVERTERS FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SOC POWER TREEARTICLEAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment system-on-chips (SoCs) have increasingly higher power demands to meet the need for higher computing power. An SoC can require separate power rails, with currents ranging from hundreds of amperes (A) to a few mA. Building off of optimized pre-regulator design for an automotive SoC, this article will take a deep dive into the intricacies of ...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING HOME REMOTE CONTROLS WITH MPS PRODUCTSARTICLEInfrared (IR) and remote frequency (RF) home remote controls are being used in systems such as sound systems, televisions, lighting, and other controls. These systems are becoming increasingly complex with features including voice control, connectivity, LED displays, and capacitive touch. Remote controls should be reliable, easy to use, and have a long battery lifespan. MPS provides cost-effectiv...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
SPARTAN ULTRASCALE+ COST OPTIMIZED PMIC SOLUTIONREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
SPARTAN ULTRASCALE+ SIZE OPTIMIZED PMIC SOLUTIONREFERENCE DESIGN -
ARTICLE
IS DESIGN REUSE A MYTH FOR ANALOG CIRCUITS?ARTICLEI have been invited to comment on electronic design automation (EDA). It is a subject in the industry to which I have not contributed much innovation, but I can say a few words as someone who has benefited from it during my long career as an analog designer. With just over 25 years of experience designing DC/DC power converters as well as custom and standard analog IC products, I have seen some r...
-
ARTICLE
SIMPLIFYING THE POWER SUPPLY SOLUTION FOR SMART METERS WITH THE MP5493ARTICLEWith recent trends toward digitization and informatization, smart meters that provide high precision, a wide range, and remote meter reading have become an indispensable part of the modern power grid and integrated in thousands of households. Smart meters must upload data in real time, and in the case of sudden power failure, a backup power supply is required to save the data and upload it to the ...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
SPARTAN 7 DISCRETE SOLUTION - COST OPTIMIZEDREFERENCE DESIGN -
ARTICLE
IMPROVING A VIDEO DOORBELL WITH A POWER MANAGEMENT IC AND MOTOR DRIVERARTICLEThe Internet of Things (IoT) describes devices that connect to then exchange data between devices and systems over the Internet (or occasionally communication networks). IoT applications have revolutionized how we can interact with the world around us, particularly with our home devices. The video doorbell is one example; these doorbells provide real-time videos, audio functionality, and even peac...
-
USE CASE
POWER MANAGEMENT USE CASE: POWER METERSUSE CASEThis use case examines the application of the MP5493, MP5042, and MIE1W0505BGLVH in power meters. MPS provides the MP5493, MP5042, and MIE1W0505BGLVH to control power surges, voltage transients, and sudden power outages in power meters. Power meters measure key parameters of electrical power consumption in residential and commercial buildings, energy systems, manufacturing, and charging infr...
-
USE CASE
POWER MANAGEMENT IC AND STEP-DOWN CONVERTER USE CASE: WI-FI 6/7 ROUTERS AND ACCESS POINTSUSE CASEThis use case examines the application of the MP5496 and MP8770C in Wi-Fi 6/7 routers and access points. The MP5496 is a highly integrated power management IC (PMIC) with four step-down converters, five low-dropout (LDO) regulators, and flexible logic interface in a space-saving QFN-28 (4mmx4mm) package. Routers are networking devices that connect computer networks to one another and enable ...
-
ARTICLE
PREDICTIVE TRANSIENT SIMULATION ANALYSIS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GPUSARTICLENowadays, graphics processing units (GPUs) feature tens of billions of transistors. With each new generation of GPUs, the number of transistors in GPUs continues to increase to improve processor performance. However, the growing number of transistors is also resulting in an exponential increase in power demand, which makes it more difficult to meet transient response specifications. This article ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO CALCULATE A BUCK CONVERTER'S INDUCTANCEARTICLEIn the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple (∆VOUT), and loop stability. This article discusses how to calculate the inductance of a buck converter using the MPQ2314 as well as key parameters including the rising current of the inductor temperature, saturation current DC resistance, operating frequency, and magne...
-
APPLICATION
DC FAST CHARGING STATIONAPPLICATIONDC fast charging stations are becoming more common with the increased adoption of electric vehicles. Charging stations are a vital part of the infrastructure along major highways and populated suburbs, ensuring that electric vehicles have a place to charge during long-distance travel and day-to-day driving. These systems are often comprised of multiple 25kW to 75kW modules to create fast charging ...
-
APPLICATION
PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC CONTROLLER (PLC)APPLICATION -
ARTICLE
PLANNING FOR SUDDEN POWER FAILURES WITH THE MP5515ARTICLEPower failures tend to cause a domino effect of disruptions, resulting in system failures and data loss, as well as damage to servers and equipment. This article describes how to use the MP5515 to protect solid-state drives (SSDs) against sudden power failure. There are three main issues if an SSD experiences a power failure: The MP5515 is an input power conditioning PMIC that provides a compact...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – FULL POWER MANAGEMENT DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – M/H DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – L DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL AI EDGE – FULL POWER MANAGEMENT (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY) -L DEVICESREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL AI EDGE –M/H DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
MAX 10REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ARTIX ULTRASCALE+ AU20P/25P MINIMUM RAILS – SMALLEST SIZEREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ARTIX ULTRASCALE+ AU20P/25P MINIMUM RAILS – LOWEST COSTREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ARTIX ULTRASCALE+ AU10P/15P MINIMUM RAILS – LOWEST COSTREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZU1/2/3 FULL POWER MANAGEMENT: COST OPTIMIZEDREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZU1/2/3 MINIMUM RAILS: COST OPTIMIZEDREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL PREMIUM - FULL MANAGEMENT (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY) REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
ARTICLE
SWITCH NODE LAYOUT CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMCARTICLEThe switch node of a switching regulator or power converter circuit is a critical conduction path that requires special attention when designing the PCB layout. This circuit node is where one or more power semiconductor switches (such as a MOSFET or diode) connect to a magnetic energy-storing device (such as an inductor or transformer winding). The switching signals of this circuit node contain fa...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL PREMIUM - M, H DEVICES (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY) REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL PREMIUM –L PS OVERDRIVE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY) REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL PREMIUM –L DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY) REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING DATASHEET THERMAL PARAMETERS AND IC JUNCTION TEMPERATURESARTICLEThere is much confusion regarding how to make meaningful design decisions when converting a datasheet’s thermal resistance parameters. This introductory article will help today’s hardware engineers understand how to decipher the thermal parameters found in datasheets — including whether to choose theta vs. psi, how to calculate these values, and most importantly, how to apply the...
-
ARTICLE
QUICK TIPS TO DIAGNOSE AND STABILIZE AN UNSTABLE SWITCHING POWER SUPPLYARTICLEAn unstable power supply can cause severe system issues, such as audible noise from the passive components, unexpected jittering in the switching frequency, extreme oscillations on the output voltage during load transient events, and failures in the semiconductor switches. While there are various reasons for instability, an un-tuned compensation network accounts for majority of instability issues ...
-
ARTICLE
USING EXTERNAL KNOBS TO IMPROVE TRANSIENT PERFORMANCE OF BUCK REGULATORSARTICLEThe high power density requirement and board-level space constraints in modern applications — such as lighting, ADAS, and USB — call for higher integration in buck regulators. There is a trend to integrate MOSFETs and compensation networks inside the chip. This integration of the compensation network’s passive components saves cost, board space, and design iterations. However, it...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
SPARTAN 7 PMIC SOLUTION WITH POWER SEQUENCING FOR HIGH POWER APPLICATIONS (5VIN)REFERENCE DESIGNThis reference design is intended for powering AMD Xilinx Spartan7 family of FPGAs (S6 - S100). This PMIC based solution combines a small footprint with good efficiency and tight regulation for a low cost solution. The internal sequencer ensures power up and power down sequencing requirements MP5416 PMIC with 4x bucks, 5x LDOs Vin 2.8V to 5.5V I2C support QFN-28 (4mmx4mm) Cost effective Small Foot...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VU57P ULTRASCALE+ EXTENDED PORTFOLIO HIGHEST SIZE POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
ARTICLE
ANALOG SIGNAL VS. DIGITAL SIGNALSARTICLEA signal is an electromagnetic or electrical current that carries data from one system or network to another. In electronics, a signal is often a time-varying voltage that is also an electromagnetic wave carrying information, though it can take on other forms, such as current. There are two main types of signals used in electronics: analog and digital signals. This article discusses the correspond...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ MPSOC 8 RAIL DISCRETE POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGNThis is a scalable design for powering the AMD Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family (ZU2 to ZU19). This discrete solution combines a small footprint with excellent efficiency and tight regulation. An external sequencer meets power up and power down sequencing requirements.
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ MPSOC 7 RAIL DISCRETE POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGNThis is a scalable design for powering the AMD Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC family (ZU2 to ZU19). This discrete solution combines a small footprint with excellent efficiency and tight regulation. An external sequencer meets power up and power down sequencing requirements.
-
ARTICLE
THE PAST AND PRESENT OF COT CONTROLARTICLETo obtain a lower dynamic ripple, engineers often have to balance tradeoffs between the bandwidth and stability of a system’s power supply, whether they’re looking at a wireless PA system or the core of a CPU. Constant-on-time (COT) control is gaining traction in the power management industry, and is widely used in the computing field for the core IC’s power supply. As artificia...
-
APPLICATION
GAMING CONTROLLERS & PERIPHERALSAPPLICATIONGaming controllers and peripherals are expected to have fast, accurate controls, reliable haptic feedback, and a long battery life. The nature of these devices means they must also be lightweight, comfortable to hold, and fairly durable. Connectivity options include RF signals, WiFi, Bluetooth, and near field control (NFC), and many controllers and peripherals integrate more than one of these. Oth...
-
ARTICLE
VOLTAGE REGULATOR TYPES AND WORKING PRINCIPLESARTICLEA voltage regulator is a circuit that creates and maintains a fixed output voltage, irrespective of changes to the input voltage or load conditions. Voltage regulators (VRs) keep the voltages from a power supply within a range that is compatible with the other electrical components. While voltage regulators are most commonly used for DC/DC power conversion, some can perform AC/AC or AC/DC power c...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
RFSOC GEN2/GEN3 REFERENCE DESIGN USING DISCRETE REGULATORSREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
IOTREFERENCE DESIGNMPS works closely with Qualcomm to create power solutions for their IoT products supporting 802.11a/b/g and 802.15.4 standards The MPS components on these reference designs are carefully selected to meet price and performance objectives of these designs. Please contact your regional MPS contact or use the displayed link below for assistance
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
WIFIREFERENCE DESIGNMPS works closely with Qualcomm to create power solutions for all their WiFi products supporting 802.11ax including WiFi6 standards with 2.4GHz/5GHz/6GHz bands The MPS components on these reference designs are carefully selected to meet price and performance objectives of these designs. Please contact your regional MPS contact or use the displayed link below for assistance
-
APPLICATION
NETWORK-ATTACHED STORAGE (NAS)APPLICATIONNetwork-attached storage (NAS) is a data storage option that is quickly growing in popularity. A NAS system is a centralized storage server that is connected to a network and able to be accessed by any authorized user within the network. These systems provide convenience and flexibility by being able to be physically stored and maintained on-site, as well as the ability to have their storage scale...
-
APPLICATION
OVENSAPPLICATIONOvens are a key household appliance, and one which consumers expect to be reliable, effective, convenient, and energy efficient. The rise of smart homes has added a new layer of design requirements to new generations of ovens, including durable and intuitive user interfaces, wireless connectivity, smart sensing, and predictive maintenance. IoT capabilities can help keep up with growing consumer ex...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ RFSOC INTERNAL SEQUENCING POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VU19P ULTRASCALE+ EXTENDED PORTFOLIO HIGHEST SIZE POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGNEVXLVU19A
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL ACAP HIGHEST EFFICIENCY ALL POWER RAIL REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL ACAP HIGHEST EFFICIENCY I2C 8 POWER RAIL REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL ACAP HIGHEST EFFICIENCY 8 POWER RAIL REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGNEVREF0105A
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VU27P VU29P ULTRASCALE+ EXTENDED PORTFOLIO HIGHEST EFFICIENCY POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VU45P VU47P ULTRASCALE+ EXTENDED PORTFOLIO HIGHEST EFFICIENCY POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VIRTEX ULTRASCALE+ HIGHEST EFFICIENCY POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
KINTEX US+ COST OPTIMIZED REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL ACAP HIGHEST EFFICIENCY I2C POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ MPSOC ZU7 ADAS AUTOMOTIVE POWER REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ U4EG/U5EG/U7EG ADAS CENTRAL COMPUTE ENGINE POWER REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ MPSOC U2EG/U3EG ADAS SENSOR AND PROCESSING FOR CAMERA POWER REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
ZYNQ ULTRASCALE+ MPSOC 5 RAIL INTERNAL SEQUENCING POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL ACAP HIGHEST EFFICIENCY POWER MANAGEMENT REFERENCE DESIGNREFERENCE DESIGNEVREF0105A
-
APPLICATION
SMART SPEAKERSAPPLICATIONSmart speakers are a growing market as end consumers expect more connectivity than ever in their day-to-day environments, and increasingly feature-rich devices available. Of course, any new speaker is expected to maintain exceptional audio quality, low standby power for extended playtime, and offer complete ease-of-use to the consumer. Smart speakers also integrate new features like voice command,...
-
APPLICATION
SMOKE AND HEAT DETECTORSAPPLICATIONSmoke and heat detectors are a key aspect of safety in smart homes and other residential and industrial applications. Designed to monitor and alert occupants of danger, these safety devices must above all be reliable and accurate, with battery lifespans lasting multiple years and convenient use. In addition, demand is increasing for detectors that can accurately discern between real and nuisance s...
-
APPLICATION
GAS DETECTORSAPPLICATIONGas detectors are a key aspect of safety in smart homes and other residential and industrial applications. Designed to monitor and alert occupants of high levels of toxic or combustible gases, these safety devices must above all be reliable and accurate, with battery lifespans lasting multiple years and convenient use. As the smart home market continues to grow and consumers seek for all aspects o...
-
APPLICATION
RF REMOTE CONTROLSAPPLICATIONRF remote controls are being used for more and more control systems, including televisions, sound systems, lighting, and other home environment controls. Because these remotes transmit their signals using radio frequency (RF), they do not need to be operated within line of sight of the device they are controlling. Other advanced features — such as voice control, capacitive touch and haptic feedbac...
-
APPLICATION
HEADPHONES & EARBUDSAPPLICATIONHeadphones and earbuds are following the trend of other portable electronics adding more features and increased connectivity into smaller solution sizes. New headphone and earbud designs prioritize wireless connectivity and smart features, along with long battery life for maximum use time. Next-generation hearables are gaining mass market appeal offer exceptionally complex features, such as biosen...
-
APPLICATION
THERMAL IMAGING CAMERASAPPLICATIONThermal imaging cameras sense and display infrared radiation as visible light, and many are designed to withstand extreme conditions such as high heat, dust, and smoke. These devices need to offer high performance and long battery life amid varying environments. Above all, they need to be reliable, as they are used in applications from examining electrical equipment to dangerous first-responder em...
-
ARTICLE
ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF PCB ACR LOSSES FOR VCORE DRMOS OPTIMIZATIONARTICLEPrinted circuit board (PCB) main-loop ripple current resistive losses are often neglected and overlooked as a switching power supply loss component. These losses can be significant for high-current Vcore and other applications that operate with high ripple current. Ansys Q3D is used to extract the main loop ripple current frequency-dependent resistance for a typical Vcore power stage PCB layout. I...
-
APPLICATION
VIDEO DOORBELLSAPPLICATIONVideo doorbells have become a popular element within many smart home systems, and provide convenience and a sense of security to consumers. As both home systems and video doorbell designs get smarter and more advanced, new features are being incorporated. Innovative video doorbells now include high-quality audio and video streaming, wireless connectivity, multiple-device interface capability, adva...
-
APPLICATION
VIDEO RECORDERSAPPLICATION -
APPLICATION
HOME REMOTE CONTROLSAPPLICATIONHome remote controls — both infrared (IR) and remote frequency (RF) types — are being used for more and more smart home control systems, including televisions,sound systems, lighting, and other home environment controls. Advanced features are also being incorporated into these devices, such as non-line-of-sight operation, voice control, capacitive touch and haptic feedback, LED displays, and multi...
-
APPLICATION
IP NETWORK CAMERASAPPLICATIONIP network cameras are quickly gaining traction over traditional analog security camera networks. Most IP network cameras serve the same function as analog security cameras but do not require local storage capacity and are connected to a users LAN network. Because of this, they are a popular part of smart home systems and security. Ever-growing user expectations and increasing concern about both d...
-
APPLICATION
BLUETOOTH SPEAKERSAPPLICATIONBluetooth and wireless speakers are a growing market as end consumers expect more connectivity than ever in their day-to-day environments.Of course, any new speaker is expected to maintain exceptional audio quality and long battery life for extended playtime, be highly portable,and offer complete ease-of-use to the consumer. Increasingly high demand for features like voice command,more audio sourc...
Application E-bikes
-
ARTICLE
MEETING THE IMPEDANCE MASK: STRATEGIES FOR PDN DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATIONARTICLEIn telecommunication applications, target impedance serves as a crucial benchmark for PDN design. It ensures that the die operates within an acceptable level of rail voltage noise, even under the worst-case transient current scenarios, by defining the maximum allowable PDN impedance for the power rail on the die. This article will focus on the optimization techniques to meet the target impedance ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A HALF-BRIDGE LLC RESONANT CONVERTER WITH A CENTER-TAPPED TRANSFORMERARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a cornerstone in power electronics, and widely adopted across various markets due to their ability to achieve high efficiency while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) through soft-switching techniques. LLC topology offers several configurations optimized for specific applications. In particular, there are two prominent configurations for the primary s...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING HOME REMOTE CONTROLS WITH MPS PRODUCTSARTICLEInfrared (IR) and remote frequency (RF) home remote controls are being used in systems such as sound systems, televisions, lighting, and other controls. These systems are becoming increasingly complex with features including voice control, connectivity, LED displays, and capacitive touch. Remote controls should be reliable, easy to use, and have a long battery lifespan. MPS provides cost-effectiv...
-
ARTICLE
IS DESIGN REUSE A MYTH FOR ANALOG CIRCUITS?ARTICLEI have been invited to comment on electronic design automation (EDA). It is a subject in the industry to which I have not contributed much innovation, but I can say a few words as someone who has benefited from it during my long career as an analog designer. With just over 25 years of experience designing DC/DC power converters as well as custom and standard analog IC products, I have seen some r...
-
ARTICLE
PREDICTIVE TRANSIENT SIMULATION ANALYSIS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GPUSARTICLENowadays, graphics processing units (GPUs) feature tens of billions of transistors. With each new generation of GPUs, the number of transistors in GPUs continues to increase to improve processor performance. However, the growing number of transistors is also resulting in an exponential increase in power demand, which makes it more difficult to meet transient response specifications. This article ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO CALCULATE A BUCK CONVERTER'S INDUCTANCEARTICLEIn the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple (∆VOUT), and loop stability. This article discusses how to calculate the inductance of a buck converter using the MPQ2314 as well as key parameters including the rising current of the inductor temperature, saturation current DC resistance, operating frequency, and magne...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART II): WHAT TO CONSIDER IN LLC CONVERTER DESIGNARTICLEDesigning an LLC converter involves a wide range of design decisions and key parameters, many of which are related. This means any single design choice impacts a multitude of other parameters in the system. The LLC tank in particular poses the greatest design challenge because it determines the converter’s capacity to respond to changes in load, frequency, and voltage. Therefore, designers must pr...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART I): POWER SWITCHES AND RESONANT TANKARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a hot topic in power electronics because they can meet the demanding performance requirements set by modern power supply designs. The LLC is one of a significantly larger family of resonant converter topologies, all of which are based on resonant tanks. Resonant tanks are circuits made up of inductors and capacitors that oscillate at a specific frequency, called...
-
ARTICLE
PLANNING FOR SUDDEN POWER FAILURES WITH THE MP5515ARTICLEPower failures tend to cause a domino effect of disruptions, resulting in system failures and data loss, as well as damage to servers and equipment. This article describes how to use the MP5515 to protect solid-state drives (SSDs) against sudden power failure. There are three main issues if an SSD experiences a power failure: The MP5515 is an input power conditioning PMIC that provides a compact...
-
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – FULL POWER MANAGEMENT DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – M/H DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN -
REFERENCE DESIGN
VERSAL HBM – L DEVICE (OPTIMIZED FOR EFFICIENCY)REFERENCE DESIGN
Articles
-
ARTICLE
THE MPM3695 FAMILY: HIGH-POWER MODULE SOLUTIONS WITH FLEXIBLE OUTPUT VOLTAGE CONFIGURATIONSARTICLEPowering modern applications requires high currents, precise transient control, and a flexible voltage set-up. In particular, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) power specifications often come with rigid requirements regarding output voltage (VOUT) accuracy, where the absolute VOUT accuracy must be around ±1.5%,regardless of temperature variations and aging. Some manufacturers’ load regulation s...
-
ARTICLE
NO MORE MISSED STEPS: UNLOCKING PRECISION WITH CLOSED-LOOP STEPPER CONTROLARTICLEBipolar stepper motors provide precise position control while operating in an open loop. Industrial automation applications — such as robots, processing, and packaging machinery — and consumer products — such as 3D printers and office equipment — effectively take advantage of the stepper’s inherent position retention. This eliminates the need for convoluted sensor technology, processing power requ...
-
ARTICLE
MEETING THE IMPEDANCE MASK: STRATEGIES FOR PDN DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATIONARTICLEIn telecommunication applications, target impedance serves as a crucial benchmark for PDN design. It ensures that the die operates within an acceptable level of rail voltage noise, even under the worst-case transient current scenarios, by defining the maximum allowable PDN impedance for the power rail on the die. This article will focus on the optimization techniques to meet the target impedance ...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING MULTI-PHASE CONVERTERS FOR HIGH-CURRENT APPLICATIONSARTICLEPowering the core rails of high-end field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) requires high current as well as precise transient control. In recent years, the rapid advancements in FPGAs, ASICs, and related systems have necessitated significant updates to power delivery regulations to address the increased complexity. These designs demand a delicat...
-
ARTICLE
WHY STANDALONE ADCS STILL MATTER: PRECISION, FLEXIBILITY, AND SIMPLICITY IN MODERN EMBEDDED SYSTEMSARTICLEIn a world where microcontrollers (MCUs) often come equipped with integrated analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), it may seem like the need for standalone ADCs is fading. But for system designers working on industrial, instrumentation, and embedded applications, standalone ADCs remain an essential building block by offering advantages in performance, layout flexibility, and design simplicity that ...
-
ARTICLE
SELECTING THE OPTIMAL POL CONVERTERS FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SOC POWER TREEARTICLEAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment system-on-chips (SoCs) have increasingly higher power demands to meet the need for higher computing power. An SoC can require separate power rails, with currents ranging from hundreds of amperes (A) to a few mA. Building off of optimized pre-regulator design for an automotive SoC, this article will take a deep dive into the intricacies of ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A HALF-BRIDGE LLC RESONANT CONVERTER WITH A CENTER-TAPPED TRANSFORMERARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a cornerstone in power electronics, and widely adopted across various markets due to their ability to achieve high efficiency while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) through soft-switching techniques. LLC topology offers several configurations optimized for specific applications. In particular, there are two prominent configurations for the primary s...
-
ARTICLE
ADCS IN AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS: ENHANCING SAFETY AND PERFORMANCEARTICLEIn recent years, there has been a noticeable trend in the automobile sector toward automation and digitization. Modern automobiles are becoming more and more dependent on digital technology, from advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to entertainment systems. Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), which are at the core of these systems, are essential for transforming actual analog signals into d...
-
ARTICLE
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERS (ADCS)ARTICLEThe Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), a crucial element in the field of electronics, provides a link between the analog world of continuously changing signals and the digital world of 0s and 1s. ADCs play a crucial role in modern technology by transforming actual analog signals from the real world into digital data that computers and digital systems can comprehend and handle. Although our world i...
-
ARTICLE
THE INTEGRAL ROLE OF MAGNETIC POSITION SENSORS IN ROBOTICSARTICLEReal-time feedback, precision, and accuracy are crucial in the dynamic world of robotics. The magnetic position sensor is one element that stands out in assuring these attributes. This article explores the relevance of magnetic position sensors in robotics and their many uses, using examples from the real world to highlight their value. Due to its superior capacity to accurately detect and quan...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A FEEDBACK LOOP COMPENSATOR FOR A FLYBACK CONVERTER IN FOUR STEPSARTICLEDue to their versatility, ease of design, and low cost, flyback converters have become one of the most widely used topologies in power electronics. Its structure derives from one of the three basic topologies — specifically, buck-boost topology. However, unlike buck-boost converters, flyback topologies allow the voltage output to be electrically isolated from the input power supply. This feature i...
-
ARTICLE
THE INTEGRAL ROLE OF CURRENT SENSORS IN RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMSARTICLEThe systems that capture and distribute this energy are evolving as more and more people turn to renewable energy sources. The current sensor, a device that detects and, in more advanced models, may even control the flow of electricity, is a crucial part of these systems. For renewable energy systems to operate safely, function optimally, and increase overall efficiency, current sensors are crucia...
-
ARTICLE
DC/DC CONVERTERS: COMMON TYPES, FUNCTIONALITY, KEY PARAMETERS AND APPLICATIONSARTICLEDC/DC converters are essential components in many electronic systems, responsible for converting one level of direct current (DC) voltage to another. They are used to regulate and stabilize voltage levels in various electronic systems, ensuring that components receive the appropriate designated voltage for optimal performance and safety as depicted in Figure 1. They play a crucial role in multiple...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING HOME REMOTE CONTROLS WITH MPS PRODUCTSARTICLEInfrared (IR) and remote frequency (RF) home remote controls are being used in systems such as sound systems, televisions, lighting, and other controls. These systems are becoming increasingly complex with features including voice control, connectivity, LED displays, and capacitive touch. Remote controls should be reliable, easy to use, and have a long battery lifespan. MPS provides cost-effectiv...
-
ARTICLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO MPS’S BOOST, BUCK, AND BUCK-BOOST CONVERTERSARTICLEConverters are one of the most simplistic and necessary devices in modern electronics. As their name implies, converters are meant to convert a given value to a target value. This functionality is vital for any system where connected devices may not have specifications that perfectly match one another, and they can be implemented in smartphones, smart trackers that can quickly communicate location...
-
ARTICLE
FUNCTIONAL SAFETY IN NON-AUTOMOTIVE BMS DESIGNSARTICLEBattery-powered applications, which have become indispensable over the last decade, require a certain level of protection to ensure safe use. This safety is provided by the battery management system (BMS). The BMS monitors the battery and possible fault conditions, prevents any hazardous situation due to the battery or its surroundings, and ensures that there is an accurate estimation of the batte...
-
ARTICLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO 5G AND HOW MPS PRODUCTS CAN OPTIMIZE A BASE STATION'S AAU AND BBUARTICLE5G is a cellular network technology that is often referred to in conversation as a technological breakthrough that will make everything easier — from robot-driven surgeries, to videocalls, to the ongoing developments in AI. However, it is not always clear in these conversations what makes 5G so unique compared previous iterations, except for its faster speed. The article will provide a look at 5G...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN AN ULTRA-WIDE INPUT VOLTAGE RANGE FLYBACKARTICLEIn modern technology, the flyback converter is one of the most widely used topologies for domestic and industrial applications that require an auxiliary power supply. Because flyback topology is so popular, designers often attempt to create a unified, single design for an ultra-wide input voltage (VIN) range. This type of design allows flybacks to be used to their maximum functionality while avoid...
-
ARTICLE
INTEGRATING DIGITAL ISOLATORS IN SMART HOME DEVICESARTICLESmart home devices are becoming increasingly popular with many households adopting smart thermostats, lighting systems, security systems, and home entertainment systems. These devices provide automation and wireless control of household functions, allowing users to monitor and control their homes from a mobile app or digital interface. Despite the advantages of smart home devices, users also face ...
-
ARTICLE
DIFFERENTIAL MAGNETIC CURRENT AND POSITION SENSINGARTICLEMagnetic sensing is essential in modern technology, as it reduces size and cost while improving performance in position- and current-sensing applications. For position sensing, magnetic sensors provide non-contact solutions that reduce system size, complexity, and maintenance, making them ideal for industries such as automotive, robotics, and industrial automation. For current sensing, magnetic se...
-
ARTICLE
POWERING FPGAS WITH DUAL-OUTPUT MODULESARTICLEThe increasing demand across telecommunication systems, data storage, and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) has driven the evolving complexity and requirements of power delivery, particularly for voltage regulators (VRs). Most areas of VR applications require a balance between efficiency, I/O voltage range, voltage tolerance, and size. It is crucial to meet the demands of FPGA power rails whi...
-
ARTICLE
REVOLUTIONIZING POWER SUPPLIES: THE ADVANTAGES OF INTEGRATED POWER MODULESARTICLEIn the fast-paced world of electronics, the demand for efficient and compact power solutions is ever-growing. As technology advances, engineers are constantly seeking ways to simplify design, reduce board space, and expedite the development process. MPS meets these demands by offering the widest portfolio of power modules on the market. These devices integrate the power stage, control loop, and in...
-
ARTICLE
IS DESIGN REUSE A MYTH FOR ANALOG CIRCUITS?ARTICLEI have been invited to comment on electronic design automation (EDA). It is a subject in the industry to which I have not contributed much innovation, but I can say a few words as someone who has benefited from it during my long career as an analog designer. With just over 25 years of experience designing DC/DC power converters as well as custom and standard analog IC products, I have seen some r...
-
ARTICLE
MAGNETIC ANGLE SENSORS OFFER SUPERIOR OVERALL BENEFITS TO OPTICAL SENSORSARTICLEAdvances in sensor technology are opening a world of new possibilities, from smart homes to autonomous vehicles. As the demand for more automated applications increases, designers are finding innovative ways to provide precision motion control in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Sensor technology is a key part of both the manufacturing and the automotive industry. Sensors are widely used t...
-
ARTICLE
MIE1W0505BGLVH AWARDED ANNUAL POWER MANAGEMENT/VOLTAGE CONVERTER PRODUCTARTICLEThe 2024 World Electronics Achievement Awards ceremony was held in Shenzhen, China on November 5 by AspenCore, a renowned media group in the global electronics technology field. The MIE1W0505BGLVH, MPS’s ultra-small, isolated power module, won the “Annual Power Management/Voltage Converter Product” award (see Figure 1). The various awards in the World Electronics Achievement Awards ceremony...
-
ARTICLE
CHOOSING THE PROPER PARAMETERS IN FREQUENCY SPREAD SPECTRUM (FSS) DESIGNARTICLEThe frequency spread spectrum (FSS) technique has been widely applied in power converters to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise. However, in practice, there are multiple parameters in FSS design that must be considered to optimize EMI performance with minimal side effects. This article introduces FSS parameters such as modulation shape, frequency, and depth, and analyzes their impact ...
-
ARTICLE
USING A SMART IDEAL DIODE FOR CAR BATTERY FRONT-END PROTECTIONARTICLEIf the battery terminals in a car are reverse-connected during a jump start, vehicle maintenance, or repair, the components in the electronics control unit (ECU) may be damaged if they cannot handle this fault condition. On top of this, during normal operation the car battery voltage is not constant — the input voltage (VIN) can even be negative under several transient tests regulated by the EMC s...
-
ARTICLE
ACTIVE BALANCING: HOW IT WORKS AND ITS ADVANTAGESARTICLEThe stability and safety of lithium batteries requires treating them with careful consideration. If lithium-ion battery cells do not operate within a constrained state-of-charge (SOC) range, their capacity can be reduced. If they are pushed beyond their SOC limits, these batteries can be damaged, leading to unstable and unsafe behavior. To ensure the safety, lifetime, and capacity of lithium-ion b...
-
ARTICLE
DEVELOPING A SMART FPGA POWER SOLUTION WITH MPS MODULESARTICLEPowering field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) represents a challenge for power engineers due to their increasing number of logic cells, which increases complexity. In addition, these semiconductor devices are highly configurable, allowing designers to define the clock and phase-locked loop (PLL) frequencies, as well as configure the logic elements within them. Furthermore, defining the power con...
-
ARTICLE
SWITCH-NODE WAVEFORM DEFINES EMC CHARACTERISTICS FOR STEP-DOWN CONVERTERSARTICLEStep-down converters’ switch-node voltage waveform defines the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) behavior for automotive CISPR 25 Class 5 measurements. The ringing frequency in the switch-node waveform is an important signal on the EMC receiver, where a higher ringing amplitude on the switch node often causes EMC issues. Understanding the switch-node waveform enables predicting the converter’s E...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING ONBOARD CHARGERS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE AND POWER DENSITYARTICLEElectric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more ubiquitous each day, with plenty of countrywide and global incentives to make these vehicles more cost-effective for consumers (see Figure 1). This has resulted in more than 13 million electrified vehicle sales in 2023, which is a greater than 30% increase for battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) when compared to the ...
-
ARTICLE
THE BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS OF USING FSS IN MODERN SMPS DESIGNSARTICLEModern passenger vehicles are not only made to carry passengers from one destination to the next — they must also function as communication tools, TVs, home cinema sets, LED illumination centers, and even massage parlors. The customer’s focus is changing from purely driving characteristics (e.g. horsepower and acceleration) to include entertainment systems, such as the size of the multimedia touch...
-
ARTICLE
USING AN AUTOMOTIVE-GRADE, CLASS-D AUDIO AMPLIFIER TO IMPROVE A VEHICLE'S E-CALL SYSTEMARTICLEAccording to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of deaths caused by traffic accidents worldwide is increasing every year, while the number of deaths from traffic accidents in Europe is on the decline. (1) Using this information, the study found that there was a causal relationship between how quickly someone is able to receive medical care and their chances of survival. To ...
-
ARTICLE
INTRODUCING MPS'S OPEN ACCELERATOR MODULE (OAM) POWER SYSTEM FOR AI AND HPC APPLICATIONSARTICLEAs the world transitions to a more sustainable future, there is a growing demand for energy-efficient solutions that reduce carbon emissions, and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI) prove to be no exception. In response to the trend for energy-efficient solutions, MPS is committed to providing power solutions with higher efficiency toward the effort of reducing carbon emissions. T...
-
ARTICLE
COMPARING THE THERMAL BEHAVIOR OF 6A DEVICES ON A TWO-LAYER AUTOMOTIVE PCB DESIGNARTICLEThe rated current is a typical parameter for DC/DC converters, and the maximum possible ambient temperature (TA) depends on the PCB size and the IC’s thermal resistance. In this article, an automotive expert will examine the thermal behavior of MPS’s MPQ4326-AEC1 compared to a traditional 6A device on a small, 2-layer PCB (60mmx40mm). The planned production costs and the PCB size determine the ...
-
ARTICLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO FLYBACK CONVERTERS: PARAMETERS, TOPOLOGY, AND CONTROLLERSARTICLEFlyback converters are versatile power electronics devices used in applications such as medical devices and laptops. Also known as isolated buck-boost converters, these converters are simple circuits that can regulate a system’s output voltage (VOUT) while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI). This article will introduce flyback converters, and explore their topology, useful parameters, ...
-
ARTICLE
BRUSHED DC MOTORS AND BLDC MOTORS: PARAMETERS, OPERATION, AND DC MOTOR DRIVERSARTICLEDC motors are machines that convert electrical energy to mechanical motion, and their versatility means they can be used in small household appliances and industrial machinery. DC motors rely on electromagnetic interactions. They are simple, efficient, and versatile. This article will describe the components, operation, parameters, and calculations that are pertinent to two common types of DC mot...
-
ARTICLE
HOW RESISTANCE, TEMPERATURE, AND CHARGING BEHAVIORS IMPACT BATTERY SOC AND SOHARTICLEBattery state-of-charge (SOC) and state-of-health (SOH) are crucial factors that must be estimated to determine a battery’s available capacity and how well it performs compared to when it was new. This is especially important in applications such as e-scooters, where a battery suddenly shutting down or experiencing a failure could result in an accident. This article will introduce battery SOC and...
-
ARTICLE
THE IMPORTANCE OF STATE OF CHARGE (SOC) AND STATE OF HEALTH (SOH) IN BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSARTICLEThe State of Charge (SOC) and the State of Health (SOH) are two critical factors in the world of rechargeable batteries that are extremely important in determining the performance and longevity of the battery. The Battery Management System (BMS), which monitors and controls these parameters, provides crucial knowledge about the capacity and state of the battery. In this article, we examine the rol...
-
ARTICLE
THE IMPACT OF CURRENT SENSORS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMART GRIDSARTICLEThe emergence of smart grids has triggered a noteworthy transformation within the energy industry, ushering in an era of enhanced efficiency, dependability, and eco-friendliness in the management of electricity distribution. Central to this revolutionary change are current sensors, designed to detect and gauge electrical currents flowing through circuits. This article aims to conduct an in-depth a...
-
ARTICLE
BATTERY BALANCING: A CRUCIAL FUNCTION OF BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSARTICLEIn the world of rechargeable batteries, one function of the Battery Management System (BMS) stands out as essential for improving performance and longevity, especially for the batteries used in high-demand applications like electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. This function is battery balancing. This article explores the nuances of battery balance, as well as its significance and role i...
-
ARTICLE
HALL EFFECT SENSORS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDEARTICLEHall Effect sensors, classified as transducers, play a crucial role in detecting and gauging magnetic fields. Their fundamental principle involves the generation of an output voltage when exposed to a magnetic field, thereby converting magnetic information into an electrical signal that can be conveniently processed and examined. These sensors derive their name from the renowned American physicist...
-
ARTICLE
HARNESSING MAGNETIC POSITION SENSORS FOR THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATIONARTICLEAs automotive technology continues to progress, magnetic position sensors play a crucial role in the design of modern vehicles. These sensors have become indispensable in detecting and measuring magnetic fields to determine the precise positions of various components within the automobile. One of the primary reasons for their widespread implementation lies in their non-contact sensing capabilities...
-
ARTICLE
HOW LITHIUM-ION BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ENHANCE BATTERY PERFORMANCEARTICLEWithin the domain of rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion technology has established itself as a prominent frontrunner, supplying energy to a wide array of devices ranging from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles and renewable energy storage setups. Vital to the seamless functioning of these batteries is a sophisticated electronic setup known as the battery management system (BMS). This ar...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS TO SUSTAIN AUTOMOTIVE CRANK CONDITIONSARTICLEModern vehicles using 12V battery systems are subjected to a number of transient conditions. Some transients involve high-voltage pulses, while others may be under low-voltage conditions. Crank transients are low-voltage conditions that occur when a car engine starts, and the car battery drops several volts below its normal operating range for a brief time. The requirements to maintain normal veh...
-
ARTICLE
EXPLORING SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO MAGNETIC POSITION SENSORSARTICLEIn the dynamic realm of engineering, accurate position sensing plays a vital role in numerous applications. From industrial automation intricacies to robotic precision and vehicle control systems, the need for precise position detection is paramount. Magnetic position sensors have emerged as a prominent choice due to their unique advantages, making them highly attractive in various scenarios. Nev...
-
ARTICLE
DRIVING INNOVATION: THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF CURRENT SENSOR ICS IN MODERN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONSARTICLEAdvanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and electrification are driving a dramatic revolution in the automotive sector. Electronic components that are precise and trustworthy, with current sensors playing a key role, are at the core of these improvements. This article explores the uses of current sensors in automotive systems, the elements to take into account when selecting a current sensor, an...
-
ARTICLE
CURRENT SENSOR ICS IN BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMSARTICLECurrent Sensors are the unsung heroes in the realm of Battery Management Systems (BMS). They play a pivotal role in ensuring the optimal performance, longevity, and safety of these systems. This article delves into the importance of Current Sensor ICs in BMS, their key roles, and the specifications to consider when choosing the right sensor for various applications. One example of a current senso...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) IN ELECTRIC VEHICLESARTICLEElectric vehicles (EVs) have become a ray of hope as the globe strives to address the issues of climate change and environmental sustainability. These electric-only vehicles mark a huge advancement in our search for greener, more environmentally friendly transportation options. The battery — a crucial element that determines the performance, safety, and efficiency of the EV — is at the core of the...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING CAPACITANCE IN THE POWER DELIVERY NETWORK FOR 5G APPLICATIONSARTICLEWhen designing the power systems for 5G applications, designers must consider the wide range of frequencies intrinsic to such applications, from mid-range frequencies in the voltage regulators to high clock frequencies in the FPGA core. This end-to-end, full-duplex design is crucial in optimizing the performance of the power supply, power conversion, and power distribution processes. This article...
-
ARTICLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO BATTERIES: COMPONENTS, PARAMETERS, TYPES, AND CHARGERSARTICLEDue to their ability to store and transfer energy while on the go, batteries have become a commonplace item that can be found in almost all electronic products we use daily. Batteries save lives when portable medical equipment is required, and provide plentiful everyday uses in applications such as headphones and portable power tools. Rechargeable batteries can rely on power banks to be charged wh...
-
ARTICLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO STEPPER MOTORS, DC MOTORS, AND MOTOR DRIVERSARTICLEMotors are electric devices that convert electrical energy to mechanical motion in the form of a rotor rotating around a stationary axis. These versatile devices are a driving force in a wide range of applications, including security cameras, smart locks, and 3D printers. For both engineers and hobbyists, it is vital to understand the differences between different motors, as each motor impacts not...
-
ARTICLE
SIMPLIFYING THE POWER SUPPLY SOLUTION FOR SMART METERS WITH THE MP5493ARTICLEWith recent trends toward digitization and informatization, smart meters that provide high precision, a wide range, and remote meter reading have become an indispensable part of the modern power grid and integrated in thousands of households. Smart meters must upload data in real time, and in the case of sudden power failure, a backup power supply is required to save the data and upload it to the ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW BATTERY CHARACTERISTICS IMPACT BATTERY MANAGEMENTARTICLEBattery management refers to the critical task of monitoring, protecting, and controlling batteries, particularly with rechargeable battery packs, where many batteries are connected in series or parallel. A battery management system (BMS) consists of a battery monitor, microcontroller (MCU), and fuel gauge. The BMS ensures safe, reliable, and optimal operation by protecting the system and battery,...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS WITH ZERO-DELAY PWM CONTROL (ZDP)ARTICLEThe increasingly high power consumption for rails in advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and digital cockpit applications calls for an improved control scheme from traditional control methods (e.g. peak current mode control), with a need for excellent load transient performance and low on-time capabilities. While constant-on-time (COT) control can be utilized as a control scheme, its varied ...
-
ARTICLE
FUNCTIONAL SAFETY AND ASIL RATINGS: WHAT THEY MEAN AND WHY THEY MATTERARTICLEElectronics have transformed modern vehicles by allowing designers to use sensors and controllers for an increasingly broad range of functions. However, the growing role of electronics raises an interesting challenge from a safety perspective. Electronics are being used to make cars more efficient, more environmentally-friendly and more comfortable. They also mean more risk, should a critical elem...
-
ARTICLE
MAGNETIC SENSORS: COMMON TYPES, KEY COMPONENTS, PARAMETERS, USAGE CONSIDERATIONS AND APPLICATIONSARTICLEMagnetic position and angle sensors are widely used in a variety of sectors because of its non-contact, wear-free, and sensing capabilities. These devices enable the measurement of linear and angular displacement in a variety of applications ranging from automotive systems and industrial automation to consumer electronics and aircraft. This page discusses the working principles of various kinds, p...
-
ARTICLE
IMPROVING A VIDEO DOORBELL WITH A POWER MANAGEMENT IC AND MOTOR DRIVERARTICLEThe Internet of Things (IoT) describes devices that connect to then exchange data between devices and systems over the Internet (or occasionally communication networks). IoT applications have revolutionized how we can interact with the world around us, particularly with our home devices. The video doorbell is one example; these doorbells provide real-time videos, audio functionality, and even peac...
-
ARTICLE
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES WHEN POWERING AUTOMOTIVE SOC CORE RAILSARTICLEThe automotive industry is undergoing a major transformation to support electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving, high-end infotainment systems, vehicle connectivity, and software-defined vehicles. The goals and benefits of EV transformation, and its impact on the automotive supply chain, are well understood by now. However, the digital transformation towards autonomous driving and high-perfor...
-
ARTICLE
PREDICTING THE VDS SWITCHING SPIKE WITH THE PARASITIC INDUCTANCE EFFECT ON SPICE SIMULATIONARTICLEOne of the primary goals for the power supply industry is to bring higher power conversion efficiency and power density to power devices in applications such as datacenters and 5G. Integrating a driver circuit and power MOSFET (known as a DrMOS) into an IC increases power density and efficiency when compared to a conventional, discrete MOSFET with an individual driver IC. Moreover, the DrMOS’s fli...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO APPLY AN ISOLATED POWER MODULE IN SIGNAL ISOLATIONARTICLESignal transmissions are everywhere. In industrial applications, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and automation systems with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), there is a high voltage (up to several kV) that can be dangerous to the human body. This type of hazardous voltage can also pass through the signal line, which can cause signal interference and could eventually destroy t...
-
ARTICLE
SELECTING THE SWITCHING FREQUENCY IN AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONSARTICLEThis article will discuss the key factors in the energy conversion process, then analyze automotive applications at three switching frequency (fSW) levels: 2MHz, 100kHz, and 500kHz. In a buck circuit, the energy conversion process includes the input capacitance (CIN), output capacitance (COUT), the energy stored in the inductor, and fSW. fSW can impact the following factors: device size, effici...
-
ARTICLE
IMPLEMENTING A LINEAR BATTERY CHARGER AND BOOST CONVERTER IN WEARABLE APPLICATIONSARTICLEWhen it comes to wearable fitness devices and activity monitors, small solutions with a shorter charging time are ideal. The popularity of wearable devices has skyrocketed in the last decade, fueled by increasingly sophisticated microchips and supporting technology. For wearable developers, the challenge is to make devices that feel comfortable and unobtrusive, with additional functions that gain ...
-
ARTICLE
CURRENT SENSORS: TYPES, KEY PARAMETERS, PERFORMANCE COMPARISON, AND COMMON APPLICATIONSARTICLECurrent sensors are critical components in a wide range of electrical and electronic systems, ensuring that equipment and gadgets operate safely and efficiently. We will examine current sensors in this article, including their kinds, variables to consider when choosing a current sensor, performance comparison, and applications. A current sensor detects and measures the electric current passing ...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING MULTIPLE INDEPENDENT AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLIES WITH MAGNETIC ISOLATIONARTICLEIn a DC/DC converter, the auxiliary power supply of multiple switching devices requires independent isolated power supplies. Taking a full-bridge converter as an example, the high-side and low-side MOSFETs (HS-FETs and LS-FETs, respectively) of the bridge arm require isolated power supplies for the gate driver circuit. The traditional scheme uses a bootstrap circuit to power supply both the upper ...
-
ARTICLE
ADVANCING OPTICAL MODULES FOR DATA TRAFFIC WITH MPS MODULESARTICLEData traffic is the center of modern life, with any mobile phone app nowadays requiring tens of hundreds of megabytes for installation packages. When several software updates are made, it is necessary to be connected to Wi-Fi. Loading a page while online shopping consumes several megabytes of traffic to load a single page, and video calls are prone to freeze if the Internet speed is not fast enoug...
-
ARTICLE
DC MOTORS: OPERATING PHASES, FAULT DETECTION AND PROTECTION, AND DC MOTOR DRIVER APPLICATIONSARTICLEThis article provides an overview of direct current (DC) motors. In particular, it will describe the electrical parameters for DC motors operating under three different operating phases, abnormal operating conditions, and common applications for DC motors, including security cameras, electronic smart locks, and solenoid drivers. A DC motor is a device that converts electrical energy into mechan...
-
ARTICLE
BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: HOW BATTERY CHEMISTRY AFFECTS BATTERY CHARGER IC SELECTIONARTICLEBattery-powered devices are integral to modern technology, and have revolutionized our ability to take devices with us anywhere and everywhere. Medical devices such as glucose meters and pacemakers allow people to thrive with minimal inconvenience, and devices such as portable power tools and radios can be used to coordinate efforts for disaster relief. In our day-to-day lives, we use battery-powe...
-
ARTICLE
USING FILTER CAPACITORS AND INDUCTORS TO SUPPRESS RADIATED EMIARTICLEOne of the most common methods to suppress electromagnetic interference (EMI) is to use filter capacitors and inductors. This article explores how to manage radiated EMI by discussing the impedance characteristics and design methodology of these filtering components in a dual active bridge converter. When the switch tube (M1) turns on within one switching cycle, the current path occurs in the f...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING STATE-OF-CHARGE (SOC) ACCURACY AND BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) DESIGNARTICLEA battery management system (BMS) is made up of a series of electronic devices that monitor and control a battery’s operation. The main elements of a typical BMS are the battery monitor and protector, the fuel gauge, and the main microcontroller (MCU) (see Figure 1). One of the most important parameters for a BMS is the accuracy of its state-of-charge (SOC) estimation. Errors in SOC estimat...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO USE A CHARGE PUMP CONVERTER TO MEET YOUR DESIGN NEEDSARTICLEMost engineers are familiar with boost converters, which step up the output voltage (VOUT) to a value that exceeds the input voltage (VIN). They are also familiar with buck-boost converters and single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC), which can ensure that VOUT is above, below, or equal to VIN as needed for the receiving device. A charge pump converter is a type of DC/DC converter that us...
-
ARTICLE
ANALYSIS AND MODELING METHOD FOR EMI OF NON-ISOLATED CONVERTERS (PART II)ARTICLEWhen not addressed in the earlier design stages, electromagnetic interference (EMI) can make it difficult for parts to meet EMI requirements in the final design stages. Being able to model and analyze EMI helps designers optimize for EMI and predict EMI at the start of their design. There are two types of EMI: conducted EMI and radiated EMI. Conducted EMI is transmitted via physical contact (to t...
-
ARTICLE
ANALYSIS AND MODELING METHOD FOR EMI OF NON-ISOLATED CONVERTERS (PART I)ARTICLEWhen designing an electronic system, ensuring the device meets electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards is crucial — not only because of the requirements placed by legislative bodies, but also because electromagnetic interference (EMI) can lead to instability and unwanted behavior. Since EMI testing usually takes place in the final design stages, being able to model and analyze EMI can effect...
-
ARTICLE
WORKING PRINCIPLES FOR SELECTING A BOOST CONVERTERARTICLEConverter selection is the first step in power supply design that directly impacts stable system operation and performance. Typically, the designer must determine whether a power converter meets the actual load capacity based on the rated current value. For example, selecting a 36V/3A buck converter for a 24V to 5V/2A power rail achieves excellent efficiency, temperature rise, and cost performanc...
-
ARTICLE
PREDICTIVE TRANSIENT SIMULATION ANALYSIS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF GPUSARTICLENowadays, graphics processing units (GPUs) feature tens of billions of transistors. With each new generation of GPUs, the number of transistors in GPUs continues to increase to improve processor performance. However, the growing number of transistors is also resulting in an exponential increase in power demand, which makes it more difficult to meet transient response specifications. This article ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO CALCULATE A BUCK CONVERTER'S INDUCTANCEARTICLEIn the buck circuit, the inductor design is a key element that is closely related to system efficiency, the output voltage ripple (∆VOUT), and loop stability. This article discusses how to calculate the inductance of a buck converter using the MPQ2314 as well as key parameters including the rising current of the inductor temperature, saturation current DC resistance, operating frequency, and magne...
-
ARTICLE
HOW HIGHLY INTEGRATED ADCS CAN SIMPLIFY CONVERTING REAL-WORLD SIGNALSARTICLEData converters are tiny marvels that translate real-world signals into digital representations, which can then be transmitted, processed, and stored in an efficient and noise-resistant way. These converters are highly diverse and are utilized in a wide range of applications, from audio processing, to scientific instruments, to image scanning machines. This article will briefly introduce analog-t...
-
ARTICLE
INTRODUCING A FULLY INTEGRATED AUTOMOTIVE USB TYPE-A AND USB TYPE-C CHARGER CONTROLLERARTICLEThe car’s central control system has a USB charging port that must be able to charge mobile devices while transmitting data. For these systems, it is vital to select an automotive-grade IC with a USB current-limit switch. The article will introduce the MPQ4228-C-AEC1 and how its high efficiency can be utilized in USB hubs and other USB Type-C applications, as well as USB Type-A applications. Th...
-
ARTICLE
ADVANCING THE E-BIKE INDUSTRY WITH MPS POWER SUPPLIESARTICLEE-bikes are integrating lithium batteries to meet the demands for higher power density, longer life cycles, and improved safety. With emerging infrastructures such as Internet of Things (IoT), e-bikes are facing rapid development, from hardware assembly to service systems. This article provides an overview of MPS’s power products that provide simple ways to improve and redefine e-bikes. In a ba...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO AVOID UNSTABLE POWER SUPPLY SHUTDOWN PROCESSESARTICLEThe electrical appliances we use in our daily lives — from lights to computers — typically go through a shutdown process when they turn off. Power supplies require stable shutdown processes that can control for unexpected overshoot. In a stable shutdown process, the power supply smoothly drops the input voltage (VIN) to 0V. For a stable shutdown, there should a steady VIN drop, no negative output...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A 15W, DUAL-ROLE, USB TYPE-C INTEGRATED BATTERY MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONARTICLEDue to the lighter and thinner features of new battery-powered mobile devices — such as smartphones, tablets, and ultra-thin notebooks — USB Type-C charging interfaces have been widely adopted by portable device manufacturers. Moreover, the European Commission (EC) approved a mandate in June 2022 requiring the next generation of portable devices to be compatible with USB Type-C charging connectors...
-
ARTICLE
ADVANCING THE SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFIER FOR NEW FLYBACK CONVERTERSARTICLEFlyback topology has dominated low-power AC/DC applications for decades due to its simplicity and robustness across a wide operating range. In recent years, synchronous rectifiers (SRs) have replaced the conventional Schottky diode in flyback-based power supplies to significantly improve efficiency. As the demand for efficiency and power density increases year by year, flyback converters must con...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING THE THEORY BEHIND TRANSIENT THERMAL IMPEDANCEARTICLETransient thermal impedance is a measure of how a device behaves when pulsed power is applied to it. Transient thermal impedance is an important parameter, as it determines how the device behaves under low duty cycles and low-frequency pulsed loads. IC packages have many thermal metrics, such as θJA and ΨJT. These parameters make it simple to estimate junction temperature in steady state. This ar...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING QUIESCENT CURRENT AND SHUTDOWN CURRENT WITH A BOOST CONVERTERARTICLEFor battery-powered applications, an excellent user experience depends on a long battery life and high-performance terminal devices. Quiescent current (IQ) is an important parameter to consider when optimizing these applications; in particular, an improved IQ increases battery life. This article will describe the difference between a boost converter’s IQ and shutdown current (ISD) to provide a de...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING THE FEEDBACK VOLTAGE RESISTOR DIVIDER IN A DC/DC CONVERTERARTICLEThe specifications of the feedback (FB) voltage resistor divider in DC-DC converters often poses various design challenges, such as determining the required resistance or adjusting parameters (e.g. output voltage, upper divider resistance or lower divider resistance). Figure 1 shows the various magnitude combinations for the FB upper and lower divider resistances. This article examines the ...
-
ARTICLE
POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) POWER SUPPLY PROCESS ACROSS IEEE 802.3AF/AT/BT PROTOCOLARTICLEAlthough there are various power supply types, this article will focus on Power over Ethernet (PoE) power supplies. In particular, PoE power supplies where the power sourcing equipment (PSE) supplies power to the powered device (PD) terminal equipment through the network cable. Figure 1 shows common PoE power supply equipment, including the PoE switch as well as power-receiving equipment (e.g. wir...
-
ARTICLE
DIGITIZING SCANNING X-RAY IMAGES USING THE MDC91128, AN ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTERARTICLEX-ray imaging is used for a wide range of applications — from medical diagnostics to security screening to food inspection, they can identify materials, flaws, and quantity counts as needed. Regardless of how they are being used, it is vital for x-rays to provide accurate and high-quality imaging. The MDC91128 is a highly integrated, low-noise, current input analog-to-digital converter (ADC) desi...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING POWER SUPPLY EFFICIENCY WITH MOSFET SELECTIONARTICLEWhen designing power supplies, it is always critical to optimize the design for efficiency. Increased efficiency saves energy, reduces heat generation, and can even reduce the power supply’s size. This article will discuss how to choose the ratio between the number of high-side MOSFETs (HS-FETs) and low-side MOSFETs (LS-FETs) to improve efficiency in power supply designs. Figure 1 shows a simpli...
-
ARTICLE
DEVELOPING A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOLUTION FOR ESSARTICLEReliable and affordable energy sources are required to power the economy and meet daily needs. Without these energy sources, economic growth and development stalls. Dependence on foreign sources for energy can also lead to vulnerability to geopolitical conflicts. With ongoing concerns regarding climate change, ensuring energy security has environmental implications as well, with efforts to increas...
-
ARTICLE
USB TYPE-C CHARGING CONNECTORS: DESIGN, OPTIMIZATION, AND INTEROPERABILITYARTICLEIn June 2022, the EU parliament approved a mandate that will require the next generation of portable devices to be compatible with USB Type-C charging connectors. Manufacturers have until fall 2024 to make their products compatible with USB Type-C cables by adding a USB Type-C connector. Affected industries include mobile phones, digital cameras, handheld video game consoles, portable speakers, ke...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A THERMALLY BALANCED CURRENT-SHARING SYSTEM FOR MULTI-PHASE POWER DESIGNSARTICLEThe car of tomorrow is envisioned to be an audiovisual wonderland on wheels, including wraparound screens and dozens of speakers. Driving on the road in the future will immerse passengers in an incredible sensory experience with content streamed via ultra-fast 5G. To achieve this content-rich, connectivity-heavy paradigm of future mobility, emerging digital cockpit systems continue to demand expon...
-
ARTICLE
MAGNETIC ANGLE SENSORS: RESOLUTION EXPLAINEDARTICLEBecause optical encoders are functionally similar, “resolution” is often used as a main characteristic for magnetic encoders (a device providing the angle of a magnet attached to a mechanical shaft, under a digital form). Resolution is a key parameter since it indicates the smallest angle that the sensor is capable of resolving. Unfortunately, when comparing products, users may often be misled, as...
-
ARTICLE
A THERMALLY OPTIMIZED, TWO-LAYER AUTOMOTIVE PCB DESIGN TO MEET CISPR25 CLASS 5ARTICLEAutomotive electronics suppliers are faced with escalating cost pressures in the race to produce autonomous, connected, and electrified solutions. One effective way to reduce design costs is by using 2-layer automotive PCBs. However, 2-layer PCBs require special care, as they can have poor thermal characteristics, which leads to compromised performance. In this article, an automotive expert will ...
-
ARTICLE
HOW THE COMMON FOOTPRINT (CFP) WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE PC MARKETARTICLEMy name is Jeff Jull, and I have worked on CPU power delivery for almost 25 years. For a decade, I was responsible for enabling the Intel IMVP power delivery ecosystem, which powered over 300 million new PCs each year. For the last 6 years, I have fine-tuned that expertise within MPS to create leading-edge power management products in the PC market. The PC power delivery segment is distinctive in...
-
ARTICLE
IMPROVING BATTERY SAFETY WITH THE MP2797ARTICLEModern life has become more convenient due to battery-powered applications for electric tools, vacuum cleaners, electric bikes, and outdoor power supplies for camping. As wireless charging continues to be more widely used in applications, lithium battery safety is a growing concern, so designers are looking to develop battery monitoring and protection solutions. A battery pack is made up of multi...
-
ARTICLE
BIPOLAR STEPPER MOTORS (PART II): MICROSTEPPING AND DECAY MODESARTICLEIn Part I of this series, we covered the bipolar stepper motor’s three control modes as well as its mechanical structure, including dual full-bridge drive. In Part II, we will discuss microstepping and how it controls the dual full-bridge drive. Previously, half-step stepping mode was introduced as a combination of single-phase stepping and full-step stepping to obtain more electrical angle pos...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING COOLER RUNNING, MULTI-CHANNEL DYNAMIC AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTSARTICLEAcross the automotive landscape, the push for electrification has yielded the incredible proliferation of exotic vehicles. Yesterday’s bulky, single-function lights are being replaced with newer, slender designs that wrap around a car’s front, back, or sides. The drive to go beyond traditional illumination or signaling means that tomorrow’s automotive lights will be challenged to display sophistic...
-
ARTICLE
INTEGRATED DRIVERS VS. GATE DRIVERS FOR MOTOR DRIVINGARTICLEWhen designing a motor control circuit, it is vital to determine how to deliver the high current required to drive the motor. Designers must choose whether to use monolithic integrated circuits that have internal power devices, or gate driver ICs and discrete external power MOSFETs. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and provides guidance on when to choose eit...
-
ARTICLE
BIPOLAR STEPPER MOTORS (PART I): CONTROL MODESARTICLEIn the intelligent era, stepper motors are widely used due to their unique open-loop position control performance. Each device has specific requirements that ensure there is a smooth output torque while the stepper motor rotates. Rotation stability is closely related to the motor’s physical construction as well as its control mode. This article introduces the bipolar stepper motor and discusses i...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A POWER TREE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SOCARTICLEAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and infotainment system-on-chips (SoCs) are offering increasingly higher computing power, which in turn results in higher power demands. An SoC can require more than 10 different power rails, with currents ranging from hundreds of amperes (A) to a few mA. Crafting an optimal power tree for these applications is not a trivial task. This article will discuss...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO OPTIMIZE A POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) PD DESIGNARTICLEPower over Ethernet (PoE) solutions enable Ethernet cables to transmit DC power while simultaneously transmitting data in parallel to IP terminal devices — all without changing the existing wire connections set by the Ethernet standard. Transmitting power and data in one cable simplifies installation, enhances reliability, and reduces cost by eliminating the need for a power and Ethernet line, whi...
-
ARTICLE
DEVELOPING A SMART COCKPIT SOLUTION WITH MPS AND SEMIDRIVEARTICLEThere are a wide array of features in a smart car’s cockpit that can enhance driving experience. For example, full LCD central control screens and high-definition displays have made user experience smoother and simpler. With the addition of voice recognition, drivers can make calls and use intelligent navigation. High-quality sound and ambient lighting provide an immersive experience while listeni...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A PFC CIRCUIT TO REDUCE HARMONIC DISTORTIONARTICLEGeneral industrial electricity bills run much higher than residential electricity bills. From a technical point of view, the high transmission cost for industrial power results from high-power inductive or capacitive loads, which have a lower power factor (PF) than residential electrical equipment. This means that residential electricity is less expensive because it generally uses small- and mediu...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS)ARTICLEBattery-powered applications have become commonplace over the last decade, and such devices require a certain level of protection to ensure safe usage. The battery management system (BMS) monitors the battery and possible fault conditions, preventing the battery from situations in which it can degrade, fade in capacity, or even potentially harm the user or surrounding environment. It is also the r...
-
ARTICLE
MPS POWER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) SWITCHESARTICLEModern devices are increasingly powered by Power over Ethernet (PoE), such as IP phones, wireless APs, and IP cameras. Customer premise equipment (CPE) and small base stations in the 5G era also require PoE power. Figure 1 shows common applications powered by PoE. This article discusses MPS’s comprehensive suite of power management solutions for a wide range of switches, including PSE, boo...
-
ARTICLE
FEASIBILITY AND ACCURACY ANALYSIS OF INPUT POWER ESTIMATIONARTICLEPFC converters are widely used in the industry to provide DC output voltage from the main lines, and to maintain a high power factor (PF) and low current distortion at the same time. In some of these applications, such as telecom, server, workstation power supplies, and plug-in electric vehicles, the active input power needs to be measured in real time in order to monitor energy consumption, as we...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTION CIRCUIT (PART I)ARTICLEAutomotive power systems operate under exceptionally harsh conditions. In particular, the car battery must handle numerous loads, and it can be challenging to determine the state of these loads simultaneously. Designers must consider the possible impact of the various pulses generated by the power line when these loads are under different operating conditions and potential fault states. This is P...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A REVERSE POLARITY PROTECTION CIRCUIT (PART II)ARTICLEThis is Part II of a two-part series on designing a reverse polarity protection circuit. Part I covered the various pulse interferences that necessitate the reverse polarity protection function in automotive electronic products, and reviewed the features of a reverse polarity protection circuit with a P-channel MOSFET. Part II will discuss a reverse polarity protection circuit with an N-channel MO...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART II): WHAT TO CONSIDER IN LLC CONVERTER DESIGNARTICLEDesigning an LLC converter involves a wide range of design decisions and key parameters, many of which are related. This means any single design choice impacts a multitude of other parameters in the system. The LLC tank in particular poses the greatest design challenge because it determines the converter’s capacity to respond to changes in load, frequency, and voltage. Therefore, designers must pr...
-
ARTICLE
DRIVE SAFE: ISOLATED GATE DRIVERS FOR HIGH-POWER APPLICATIONSARTICLENew technological and market trends are constantly pushing for smaller solutions with higher power capabilities. The advancement of electric vehicles, renewable energy microgrids, massive energy storing, and high-power telecom applications have significantly increased power density requirements. Voltage and power levels that were previously reserved for specific, high-power applications are becom...
-
ARTICLE
DC FAST CHARGING SYSTEM: MAXIMIZING POWER DENSITY WITH AN LLC TRANSFORMER DRIVERARTICLEAs the world strives for carbon neutrality, electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly taking market share from internal combustion engine vehicles. However, one of the issues with electric vehicles is range anxiety, as customers are unsure of how long they will be able to drive without the car needing to be charged. To combat this, governments around the world are massively investing in charging infrast...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING POWER INDUCTOR PARAMETERSARTICLEModern DC/DC converter demands are largely driven by consumer applications. These applications require power inductors mainly for battery-powered devices, embedded computing, and high-power/frequency DC/DC converters. It is essential to understand the electrical characteristics of inductors to design systems that are compact, cost-effective, efficient, and provide excellent thermal performance. I...
-
ARTICLE
WHY MICROSTEPPING ISN'T AS GOOD AS YOU THINKARTICLEStepper motors are often used for positioning since they are cost-effective, easy to drive, and can be used in open-loop systems — meaning that they do not require position feedback like servo motors. Steppers are used in small industrial machines, such as laser engravers, 3D printers, and office equipment like laser printers. There is a wide array of options when it comes to stepper motors. For ...
-
ARTICLE
LOAD-LINE DESIGN FOR A MULTI-PHASE BUCK CONVERTERARTICLEWith the increase in 5G networks, cloud computing, Internet-of-Things (IoTs), and virtualization, IT infrastructure is driving the demand for high-performance computing servers. Each new server generation requires higher computing power and efficiency, while also increasing power requirements. One of the key aspects in ensuring that servers meet market demands is to understand the effect that the...
-
ARTICLE
DEVELOPING A MILLIMETER-WAVE RADAR POWER SUPPLYARTICLEAutonomous driving is one of the most popular trends in the automotive industry. Currently, commercial-level automatic driving remains at the L2/L3 level. Automotive radar technology is gaining momentum as a solution to achieve higher levels of automated driving. With the accurate perception of millimeter-wave radar, cars can autonomously make intelligent judgements and decisions. At 77GHz, mil...
-
ARTICLE
INTRODUCING THE MP8017: AN ULTRA-SMALL IEEE 802.3AF POE PD SOLUTIONARTICLEThe development of Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices has resulted in devices with increased functionality, smaller size, and simplified design. This article highlights the MP8017, an ultra-small, IEEE 802.3af-compatible, powered device (PD) solution with a minimal number of external components. PoE uses network cables to supply power from the power sourcing equipment (PSE) to the PD. The advant...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART I): POWER SWITCHES AND RESONANT TANKARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a hot topic in power electronics because they can meet the demanding performance requirements set by modern power supply designs. The LLC is one of a significantly larger family of resonant converter topologies, all of which are based on resonant tanks. Resonant tanks are circuits made up of inductors and capacitors that oscillate at a specific frequency, called...
-
ARTICLE
INTRODUCING THE MP5031: A USB POWER DELIVERY (PD) CONTROLLERARTICLEThe MP5031 is part of the new generation of fast-charging chips, which meet the growing demand for fast-charging technology for mobile phones and devices. This USB power delivery (PD) controller is compatible with USB Type-C 2.0 and USB PD 3.0 specifications, and supports dedicated charging port (DCP) schemes. The MP5031 also supports BC1.2 charging data port (CDP) handshaking. This article discus...
-
ARTICLE
MEASURING HIGH-FREQUENCY, COMMON-MODE CURRENT, VOLTAGE, AND IMPEDANCE (PART III)ARTICLEThis is the final part of a three-part series discussing measurement methods for high-frequency, common-mode (CM) current, voltage, and impedance using a flyback converter. Part I covered the basic principles of radiated EMI and the traditional method for measuring CM current in a flyback converter topology. Part II explored a ferrite bead solution for CM current measurement errors and how to obta...
-
ARTICLE
MEASURING HIGH-FREQUENCY, COMMON-MODE CURRENT, VOLTAGE, AND IMPEDANCE (PART II)ARTICLEThis is the second part of a three-part series discussing measurement methods for high-frequency, common-mode (CM) current, voltage, and impedance using a flyback converter. Part I covered the basics of radiated EMI and the traditional method for measuring CM current in a flyback converter topology. Part II will propose a solution to common errors when measuring CM current, and then it will demons...
-
ARTICLE
DETERMINING ACCURATE STATE-OF-CHARGE WITH THE MPF4279X SERIES (PART II)ARTICLEWhen designing a battery management system (BMS), designers can face challenges when obtaining an accurate estimate of the battery’s state-of-charge (SOC), which is the level of a charge a battery has in relation to its capacity. This article is the second of a two-part series discussing SOC estimations. Part I explored the complex application of battery conditions in SOC estimation, as well one ...
-
ARTICLE
DETERMINING ACCURATE STATE-OF-CHARGE WITH THE MPF4279X SERIES (PART I)ARTICLEWith the dramatic improvement in battery performance, applications are increasingly utilizing battery packs to provide energy. In the battery management system (BMS), designers face the challenge of accurately estimating the battery’s state-of-charge (SOC), which is the level of charge a battery has in relation to its capacity. SOC is commonly represented as a percentage between 0% and 100%. A ba...
-
ARTICLE
MPS'S ISOLATED MEDIUM- AND HIGH-POWER POWER SUPPLY PRODUCTSARTICLEOur lives are undergoing tremendous changes amidst the emergence of carbon neutrality, 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. The advent of the 5G era has transformed the design concepts of many power supply products, in that it has significantly increased the demand for medium- and high-power power supplies. Due to the increase in data traffic, communication frequency, and transmission ...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A MODULE FOR HIGH-SPEED OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONARTICLEAs we navigate the reality of COVID-19, in-person interactions have become less commonplace. Thus, with the latest wave of digitalization and informatization that embraces countless new technologies, our access to the internet has become a vital means of accurate, real-time socialization and communication. Optical communication sends signals in the form of light. These signals have been used to b...
-
ARTICLE
BUILDING POWER SYSTEMS WITH THE MP188XX ISOLATED GATE DRIVER SERIESARTICLEPower is essential to 5G communication, data centers, photovoltaic inverters, on-board power supplies, charging piles, and LED control systems. Across these power systems, an isolated gate driver is required to drive the switch tube efficiently and reliably for power conversion. An isolated gate driver is characterized by a small charger and large gate transmission. These drivers are widely use...
-
ARTICLE
PHOTOVOLTAIC CHARGING SOLUTION WITH MP2731ARTICLEFor the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, all Olympic venues used green electricity to promote the goal for carbon neutrality. Green electricity mainly comes from solar photovoltaic and wind power generation. Utilizing more renewable photovoltaic energy is an effective approach to reach the greenhouse gas pollution target by 2030. Photovoltaic cells have many subdivisions of applications, including...
-
ARTICLE
THE POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) POWERED MP8030ARTICLEWith the abundance of electronic products, it is easy for desktops to become cluttered between various desktop power and signal interface cables. The development of Power over Ethernet (PoE) has resolved the challenge of managing multiple wires. PoE provides DC power while transmitting data signals for IP-based terminal equipment without changing the existing Ethernet Category 5 cabling infrast...
-
ARTICLE
TRANSFORMING THE LOW-CARBON ERA WITH MPS'S AC/DC POWER SOLUTIONS (PART I)ARTICLEThe low-carbon era is leading the development trend for smaller and highly efficient chips. First, switching power supplies replaced linear power supplies in the 1980s; now, the efficiency of power supplies has significantly improved while the overall solution size has been reduced. When considering consumer requirements for portability, switching power supplies continue to become more and more ad...
-
ARTICLE
TRANSFORMING THE LOW-CARBON ERA WITH MPS'S AC/DC POWER SOLUTIONS (PART II)ARTICLETo meet the increasingly stringent requirements for environmentally friendly solutions, MPS’s AC/DC power supply products utilize advanced technologies to enhance performance and achieve energy conservation. This article is the second in a two-part series to discuss trend-setting AC/DC solutions. Part I served as an introduction for the carbon-free era and the problems that designers face with tr...
-
ARTICLE
ELEVATING HIGH-DENSITY ADAPTER DESIGNS WITH INTEGRATED CAPACITIVE ISOLATIONARTICLEThe demand for fast charging has driven the unprecedented evolution of high-density adapters. In practical adapter designs, there are countless implementations of new switching power devices, topologies, and control schemes. With the introduction of these cutting-edge technologies, the power density of adapter products has significantly increased. 1W/cm3 is becoming the common density for high-de...
-
ARTICLE
A BRIEF PRIMER ON MPSAFETM, MPS’S PROCESS TO FUNCTIONAL SAFETY AUTOMOTIVE DEVELOPMENTARTICLEMPSafeTM is a new, advanced safety development process for automotive components from Monolithic Power Systems. This process has been independently certified to meet the criteria laid out in ISO26262, a standard that applies to the design, development, and production of automotive functional safety products. The automotive industry is making rapid advances in the pursuit of an autonomous, connect...
-
ARTICLE
BATTERY CHARGER FUNDAMENTALSARTICLELi-ion battery charger ICs are devices that regulate battery charging current and voltage, and are commonly used for portable devices, such as cellphones, laptops, and tablets. Compared to other battery chemistries, Li-ion batteries have one of the highest energy densities, provide a higher voltage per cell, can tolerate higher currents, and do not have to be trickle charged when the battery is fu...
-
ARTICLE
POWER SUPPLY DESIGN FOR CAR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is the second part of a two-part series covering power supply design for car infotainment systems. Part I discussed the performance requirements for primary and secondary power supplies in car infotainment systems. Part II addresses challenges regarding camera power supplies and USB charging in car infotainment systems. Figure 1 shows the car machine’s power architecture, including t...
-
ARTICLE
POWER SUPPLY DESIGN FOR CAR INFOTAINMENT SYSTEMS (PART I)ARTICLEA car’s infotainment system is an on-board, integrated information processing system based on the car’s bus body and internet. Vehicles have become more integrated and modular as consumers continue to raise expectations for driving, car information resources, entertainment, and safety. This trend has introduced new challenges to the research and development of car infotainment systems, particularl...
-
ARTICLE
DEVELOPING A MULTI-PORT FAST-CHARGE SOLUTION WITH THE HR1211ARTICLEThe HR1211 is an integrated, multi-mode PFC and current mode LLC controller solution that was designed to meet the power requirements of the fast-charge adapter market. To achieve a simplified peripheral circuit, the HR1211 integrates a high-voltage current source, a safety-certified X-capacitor discharge circuit, and high-voltage drive circuits for PFC and LLC. In addition, a capacitor resistor i...
-
ARTICLE
IMPROVING ISOLATED POWER MODULES WITH THE MID06W0505A SERIESARTICLEPower modules form a core part of power electronics applications. In particular, micro-power power modules are widely used to power various signal isolator applications, such as RS485, CAN, and RS232. Industry applications — such as industrial automation, electric vehicle battery management systems (BMS), and charging piles — continue to increase standards for safety, power density, and reliabilit...
-
ARTICLE
MEASURING HIGH-FREQUENCY, COMMON-MODE CURRENT, VOLTAGE, AND IMPEDANCE (PART I)ARTICLETo obtain an accurate EMI analysis when modeling power electronics, it is crucial to measure the impedance on the noise source and propagation path. For radiated EMI, the corresponding frequency band is typically between 30MHz and 1GHz. Due to the high frequency, it can be difficult to measure parameters such as voltage, current, and impedance. This article is the first part of a three-part serie...
-
ARTICLE
PLANNING FOR SUDDEN POWER FAILURES WITH THE MP5515ARTICLEPower failures tend to cause a domino effect of disruptions, resulting in system failures and data loss, as well as damage to servers and equipment. This article describes how to use the MP5515 to protect solid-state drives (SSDs) against sudden power failure. There are three main issues if an SSD experiences a power failure: The MP5515 is an input power conditioning PMIC that provides a compact...
-
ARTICLE
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PFC TOPOLOGIES: INTERLEAVED BOOST VS. TOTEM-POLE PFC TOPOLOGIESARTICLEAs more electrically powered devices are connected to the grid, the increased distortion to the electric grid can create problems in the electrical distribution network. To mitigate these issues, power supply designs require advanced power factor correction (PFC) circuitry to meet strict power factor (PF) standards. The most commonly used topology for power factor correction is boost PFC, but the...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A MULTI-PHASE BUCK CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL CONTROLLERSARTICLEOver recent decades, server and computing system complexity has increased alongside power delivery (PD) requirements. This makes regulator design more challenging because it requires a tradeoff between higher efficiency and a fast dynamic response, as well as between reduced power loss and the size of the MOSFETs. Servers require power supplies with high current, low voltages, and fast transient ...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A BRUSHLESS MOTOR DRIVER CIRCUIT WITH THE MP6540ARTICLEMPS recently released an integrated, compact gate driver circuit with six power MOSFETs. This article discusses the MP6540 series, including the MP6540A, MP6540H, and the MP6540HA. The MP6540 is a 3-phase, brushless DC (BLDC) motor driver that integrates three half-bridges consisting of six N-channel power MOSFETs. Conventional motor driver architecture combines a motor driver chip and the power ...
-
ARTICLE
MPS DESIGN ASSISTANT TOOLARTICLEMPS is committed to providing users with a variety of simulation solutions, including SIMPLIS models, SPICE models, DC/DC converter design models, and Virtual Bench Pro. The easy-to-use Design Assistant is the most popular tool provided by MPS, and its demand continues to grow each year. Figure 1 shows the annual growth of how often our Design Assistant is requested and utilized. In partic...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZED BACKLIGHT DISPLAY DESIGN WITH THE MPQ3367ARTICLEA smart cockpit is essential for an intelligent, convenient, and safe automotive environment for drivers. Emerging energy companies and established car brands alike are increasing their investments to innovate cutting-edge smart cockpits. To meet this demand, MPS continues to introduce improved power management solutions in line with the future of automotive electronics. Many automotive features ...
-
ARTICLE
FROM COLD CRANK TO LOAD DUMP: A PRIMER ON AUTOMOTIVE TRANSIENTSARTICLEAdvances in automotive technology have dramatically increased the number of sophisticated electronic circuits required to improve driving experience and safety in a typical automotive system. New vehicles provide infotainment systems with high-resolution displays, an enhanced user interface, and numerous connectivity options. Improved safety features include LiDAR for collision avoidance, as well ...
-
ARTICLE
OPTIMIZING HAPTIC HMIS FOR RELIABILITY WITH MAGNETIC SENSORSARTICLERotary dials are used in diverse applications for human-machine interfaces (HMI). Touch interfaces include the buttons, knobs, and dials on everyday devices, from automobiles and white goods, to the touch screen on your mobile phone. These devices not only translate human input into an electrical signal, but they also provide an important feature — haptic feedback. This is especially useful for sa...
-
ARTICLE
WHEN IS IT BENEFICIAL TO PLACE A COPPER LAYER BENEATH DC/DC POWER SUPPLIES?ARTICLEEngineers often disagree on whether the inductive bottom of DC/DC power supplies should be laid with copper. The first argument is that laying copper under the inductor produces eddy currents on the ground plane. As a result, the eddy current affects the power inductor’s inductance and increases the system loss, and the ground plane noise impacts other high-speed signals. The second argument is th...
-
ARTICLE
RECOGNITION AND ELIMINATION OF SUBHARMONIC OSCILLATIONSARTICLEDC/DC instability occurs due to a variety of factors, such as improper compensation parameters or insufficient layout. This article will discuss subharmonic oscillations, a form of instability that can be generated when current mode switching regulators have a continuous inductor current and a duty cycle exceeding 50%. These oscillations then create unstable power supplies. To learn about subharm...
-
ARTICLE
CONTROLLING PRIMARY-SIDE RINGINGARTICLEThe flyback power supply is one of the most commonly used topologies. Typically, the transformer’s leakage inductance causes primary-side ringing, which generates voltage spikes that damage the MOSFET. It is essential to design the transformer and MOSFET components to control ringing. MPS has introduced an RCD clamp circuit design strategy to reduce leakage inductance. This circuit is described in...
-
ARTICLE
FREQUENCY SELECTION IN SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DESIGNS (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is the second part of a two-part series delving into switching frequency design. Part I reviewed how to calculate the key indicators for switching frequency, as well as the challenges of higher frequencies. Part II will apply these switching frequency concepts to practical scenarios. Power engineers must consider numerous factors to determine the operating frequency range and variati...
-
ARTICLE
FREQUENCY SELECTION IN SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DESIGNS (PART I)ARTICLEFrequency — a basic property of switching power supplies — represents the rate at which the DC voltage switches on and off. Understanding switching frequency is foundational to the working principles of power lines in practical applications. This article is the first part of a two-part series delving into switching frequency design. Part I will discuss calculating for the key variables of switchi...
-
ARTICLE
CONTROLLING EXCESSIVE CONDUCTED EMI UNDER A LONG-LINE LOAD (PART III)ARTICLEThis article is the final part of a three-part series exploring methods for analyzing and improving excessive EMI under long-line loads. Part I discussed the common-mode (CM) EMI model and considered the influence of electric field coupling and magnetic field coupling. Part II validated the transmission line theory through a series of computations. Part III will focus on three methods that were im...
-
ARTICLE
GENERATING AND TESTING POWER RIPPLESARTICLEThe magnitude of power ripples is a common parameter to consider when designing a power supply. As a result, ripples are widely used in testing projects for power engineers. This article will discuss how power ripples are created, and how they can be tested. Note that in this article, “power ripple” specifically refers to the AC component on a power supply’s output, which has a DC voltage. Because...
-
ARTICLE
CONTROLLING CONDUCTED EMI WHEN USING LONG OUTPUT LINES (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is part two in a three-part series exploring methods to analyze and improve excessive EMI under long-line loads. Part I reviewed the common-mode (CM) EMI model and considered the influence of electric field coupling and magnetic field coupling. Part II will discuss the transmission line effect on the output’s long-line impedance to ground, using a series of equations. Part III will re...
-
ARTICLE
CONTROLLING CONDUCTED EMI WHEN USING LONG OUTPUT LINES (PART I)ARTICLEIn many automotive electronics applications, the load must be connected to the motherboard via a long output line, resulting in excessive conducted EMI. Automotive applications that require long-line loads include Class-D power amplifiers, LEDs, and USB chargers (see Figure 1). This article is the first part of a three-part series exploring methods to analyze and improve excessive conducted E...
-
ARTICLE
THE ROAD FROM ECUS TO DCUSARTICLEAs electronic vehicles become more commonplace, electronic control units (ECUs) are becoming the standard, embedded control system for automotive electronics. ECU systems provide safety and functionality — applications using ECUs include anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, electronic automatic transmission, active suspension, and airbags. Gradually, the use of ECUs has extended to vehicle body saf...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION SOLUTION TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE HEAT (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is the second part of a two-part series exploring how to design a secondary-side synchronous rectifier for ultra-small, fast charge adapters. Part I discussed the topology designs and power supplies for synchronous rectifiers. Part II will review how a synchronous rectifier opens and shuts down, and how new devices utilize quick shutdown technology. A self-powered circuit provides ...
-
ARTICLE
ACCURATE CURRENT MEASUREMENT IN MODERN ELECTRONIC CIRCUITSARTICLEAs power electronic switching techniques advance, there is an increased need to accurately measure current for feedback control and system monitoring. There are several methods to achieve this, with each method having advantages and limitations. This article focuses on current measurement methods that require relatively high accuracy and bandwidth, such as those used to measure current on the inpu...
-
ARTICLE
MOSFET SWITCHES: BASICS AND APPLICATIONS IN POWER CONVERTERSARTICLEA metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) is an electronic device that falls under the category of field-effect transistors (FETs). These devices act as voltage-controlled current sources, and are mainly used as switches or for the amplification of electrical signals. The MOSFET is controlled by applying certain voltage conditions to the gate. When the MOSFET is turned on, curre...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION SOLUTION TO REDUCE EXCESSIVE HEAT (PART I)ARTICLEMobile devices — such as mobile phones and laptops — are integral to the modern world. The development of mobile devices has accompanied a demand for small, lightweight, and fast-to-charge adapters. Major manufacturers are rushing to introduce ultra-small, fast charge adapters (see Figure 1). This article is the first part of a two-part series exploring how to design a secondary-side synchr...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING A POWER OVER ETHERNET (POE) SOLUTIONARTICLEPower over Ethernet (PoE) is a power supply scheme that uses a network cable to transmit power. This scheme includes power sourcing equipment (PSE), a powered device (PD), and a network cable. With the popularity of IP device applications, PoE has become widespread among users due to its low installation costs, scalability, ease of management, and global compatibility. After over a decade since t...
-
ARTICLE
EMI GENERATION, PROPAGATION, AND SUPPRESSION IN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is the second part of a two-part series delving into strategies for modeling and analyzing EMI problems. Part 1 explored approaches to reducing conducted EMI between differential mode (DM) noise and common mode (CM) noise. Part II will cover radiated EMI modeling strategies based on Thevenin’s Theorem, as well as ground impedance reduction techniques. Traditionally, radiated EMI ha...
-
ARTICLE
EMI GENERATION, PROPAGATION, AND SUPPRESSION IN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS (PART I)ARTICLEIn the automotive industry, stringent electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements are necessary for safety but create design challenges for engineers (see Figure 1). To reduce EMI, it is necessary to model and analyze various EMI problems. This article provides modeling and suppression methods to reduce EMI in non-isolated converters, such as buck, boost, and buck-boost converters. Many...
-
ARTICLE
HOW INTEGRATION IS ADVANCING INNOVATIONS IN POWER MANAGEMENTARTICLEAs modern devices become smarter and more customizable, consumers are also demanding that they be smaller and more powerful. This has driven demand for technology that can manage thermals with ever-higher power densities as processing power increases. MPS is innovating and creating highly integrated converters and controllers with cutting-edge efficiency and power density. By integrating the entir...
-
ARTICLE
MPS SOLUTIONS FOR INTELLIGENT DRIVINGARTICLEThe four modern trends of the automotive industry are electrification, intelligence, networking, and sharing. Among these development trends, intelligence requires advanced on-board sensors, controllers, and actuators. Highly intelligent systems tend to have more sensors. As such, the number and variety of cameras/sensors installed on cars increase daily. These include the cameras installed on th...
-
ARTICLE
MPS'S ISOLATED POWER SOLUTIONS PROMOTE CARBON NEUTRALITYARTICLEThe revolution for a carbon-neutral era goes beyond an environmental commitment. With premiums on energy-saving solutions that reduce emissions, markets and individual companies are shifting their industrial and energy infrastructures to produce unique and environmentally conscious products. Across various power categories (e.g. photovoltaic and wind power generation, energy storage, battery manag...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING AN ACTIVE-CLAMP FORWARD CONVERTER FOR POE-BT APPLICATIONS (PART II)ARTICLEThis article is the second part of a two-part series exploring how to design an active-clamp forward controller for PoE-bt applications. Part I covered PoE applications, as well as the basics for forward converter topologies and active clamps. Part II will review secondary-side synchronous rectification MOSFETs, secondary spike absorption circuits, and efficiency verification processes for PoE-bt ...
-
ARTICLE
DESIGNING AN ACTIVE-CLAMP FORWARD CONVERTER FOR POE-BT APPLICATIONS (PART I)ARTICLEWhen compared to traditional AC power supply modes, power over Ethernet (PoE) power supplies can simultaneously supply power and transmit data through an existing Ethernet cable. By integrating the power supply and data cables, PoE applications are cost-effective and provide flexible installation. PoE solutions are rapidly growing in popularity across multiple industries as applications continue t...
-
ARTICLE
MPS’S FULLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES BOOST CLOUD COMPUTINGARTICLEIn recent years, the artificial intelligence (AI) and big data industries have rapidly innovated and developed 5G communication technologies, Internet of Everything (IoE), and the intelligent world. For cloud computing applications in particular, the demand for quick data processing across datacenters and private servers has reached unprecedented heights. To meet future demands for these applicati...
-
ARTICLE
MPS’S OPEN-SOURCE EMERGENCY VENTILATOR WITH EMOTIONTM AND BATTERY BACKUPARTICLEAs COVID-19 spread in March of 2020, the global shortage of emergency ventilators was one of the biggest concerns. The increasing demand in ventilators meant they would soon be out of supply, so a team at Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) sought to help create a solution to this crisis. While MPS is not a medical device manufacturer, its engineers and designers are highly experienced with power elect...
-
ARTICLE
EVALUATING THE TRANSIENT PERFORMANCE OF BUCK REGULATORS WITH AN INTEGRATED COMPENSATION NETWORKARTICLEDesigning the compensation network for buck regulators can be tedious and may require several iterations to optimize the solution. Having an optimized control loop, which can enable fast transient response while maintaining proper stability, has become a major challenge with the emergence of new applications such as ADAS and fast transient response requirements. To address these issues, buck regul...
-
ARTICLE
A NOVEL FUEL GAUGE SOLUTION FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACKSARTICLEThe increasing adoption of lithium-ion batteries is boosting growth in e-mobility, medical, and robotics markets. Moreover, current application requirements are driving the adoption of larger battery packs with an extended range, longer life, and superior power capabilities. To guarantee excellent performance, it is vital to address the challenge of estimating a battery’s internal state in ...
-
ARTICLE
USING CURRENT REGULATION IN DC MOTOR DRIVERSARTICLEWhen starting a DC motor, large currents can be required that place a burden on the motor driver and power supply. This article will discuss using the current regulation function integrated into many motor driver ICs, while using examples from Monolithic Power Systems (MPS) to address high-current conditions. In many cases, using current regulation can allow designers to use a smaller motor drive...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A FLYBACK CONVERTER IN SEVEN STEPSARTICLEOf the many converter topologies around today, the flyback topology is one of the most frequently used. Although simple, this converter design offers great advantages for certain applications. New, more complex topologies have surfaced in recent years, but flyback converters remain a popular design choice. These switch-mode power converters offer competitive size, cost, and efficiency ratios in t...
-
ARTICLE
USING THERMAL DERATING TO EXTEND AUTOMOTIVE LED LIFE EXPECTANCYARTICLEAutomotive manufacturers are adopting more and more LED lightning technology due to its low power consumption and extended lifecycle. However, when the latest technology trends are paired with challenging automotive requirements, there is an increased demand to design solutions that can avoid thermal breakdown while lengthening the life expectancy of the LEDs. This article will present a simple, l...
-
ARTICLE
DIGITAL PFC + LLC COMBO CONTROLLER HELPS FAST-CHARGE ADAPTERS ENTER THE NEW AGEARTICLEFast-charge technology has developed rapidly in the last few years due to the exponential increase in power demand for mobile devices. In late 2020, cell phone market leaders (such as Apple, Xiaomi, and Samsung) started to abandon in-box adapters for cell phones. This change stimulated another boom for the demand of aftermarket adapters, and also confirmed two trends for the fast-charging adapter ...
-
ARTICLE
AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS RELIABILITY TESTING STARTS AND ENDS WITH THE MISSION PROFILEARTICLEAutomakers must design vehicles to thrive in a broad spectrum of environments, from snowy tundras to scorching deserts. Unlike most consumer applications, where the expected lifespan can be months, automotive electronics are often expected to last 15 years or more. When specifying a vehicle component, it is common for OEMs and their suppliers to develop an automotive mission profile, which is esse...
-
ARTICLE
DIRECT JUNCTION TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT OF A DC SWITCHING POWER SUPPLYARTICLEDesigners often want to measure the junction temperature of a DC switching power supply. This is especially difficult in temperature chambers because a thermal camera is inaccurate and can be damaged under high environmental temperatures, and an external temperature sensor is difficult to fix onto small packages. This article will help readers understand a practical method to measure the junction ...
-
ARTICLE
POWERING THE NEXT SOPHISTICATED AI SYSTEMARTICLEArtificial intelligence (AI) combines several approaches to problem solving, such as mathematics, computational statistics, machine learning, and predictive analytics. AI systems imitate the human brain’s capacity to learn and solve problems. They accomplish this with computer-based “neural” networks consisting of parallel processors that run complex learning and execute software...
-
ARTICLE
HIGHLY INTEGRATED, SCALABLE, CURRENT-SHARING HOT-SWAP SOLUTION FOR 48V DATACENTER APPLICATIONSARTICLEServers and racks used in datacenters have undergone a considerable increase in power, going from a few hundred watts to multiple kilowatts. The distribution of these higher power levels on multiple servers inevitably generates greater power losses and hinders efficiency. This aspect can be mitigated by transiting from a traditional 12V distribution voltage to 48V. The increase in distribution vo...
-
ARTICLE
HOW DOES FLYBACK SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION AFFECT EMI?ARTICLEDue to the rapid development of mobile devices in the last decade, cell phone applications have expanded into every aspect of society. In day-to-day life, few people leave their cell phone, even for a few minutes. As a result, high battery capacity and fast charging speed has become one of the most critical features for cell phones, and the demand for adapters with higher power ratings and higher ...
-
ARTICLE
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CCM AND DCM EXPLAINEDARTICLEFlyback converters are often used in switch-mode power supplies for AC/DC and DC/DC conversion, especially for the low-to-mid power range (about 2W to 100W). In this power range, flyback converters offer a very competitive size, cost, and efficiency ratio. A flyback converter’s operation is based on a coupled inductor, which — in addition to aiding in power conversion — also pro...
-
ARTICLE
PRIMARY-SIDE VS. SECONDARY-SIDE REGULATIONARTICLEFlyback power converters are currently some of the most common converter topologies around. This is due to the simplicity of their design and the competitive size/cost/efficiency ratio their can deliver, especially in the mid-level power range (2W to 100W). Like any converter topology, a flyback converter is composed of a power path and a control path. The power path is responsible for the conver...
-
ARTICLE
SIMPLIFIED USB TYPE-C POWER MANAGEMENT DESIGN FOR PORTABLE DEVICESARTICLEApplications and portable devices with USB Type-C connectors have become increasingly common in recent years. Among their many benefits are their small size, easy-to-use features, and versatility. USB Type-C (also called USB-C) can support multiple protocols, such as USB 3.1, DisplayPort, HDMI, and USB PD. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) released guidelines for USB Type-C called USB Type-C Cab...
-
ARTICLE
SWITCH NODE LAYOUT CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMCARTICLEThe switch node of a switching regulator or power converter circuit is a critical conduction path that requires special attention when designing the PCB layout. This circuit node is where one or more power semiconductor switches (such as a MOSFET or diode) connect to a magnetic energy-storing device (such as an inductor or transformer winding). The switching signals of this circuit node contain fa...
-
ARTICLE
A PERFECT MATCH: POWER LOSSES IN BUCK CONVERTERS AND HOW TO INCREASE EFFICIENCYARTICLEToday’s highly developed power ICs require superior power inductors. Building a standard power supply with common footprints can help reduce design time and production costs. Determining the best match between an inductor and an IC is paramount to achieving the best performance in terms of PCB space, as well as thermal and cost efficiency. Let’s explore which parameters are most impor...
-
ARTICLE
BRUSHLESS VS BRUSHED DC MOTORS: WHEN AND WHY TO CHOOSE ONE OVER THE OTHERARTICLEMany motion control applications use permanent magnet DC motors. Since it is easier to implement control systems using DC motors compared to AC motors, they are often used when speed, torque, or position needs to be controlled. There are two types of commonly used DC motors: Brushed motors, and brushless motors (or BLDC motors). As their names imply, DC brushed motors have brushes, which are used...
-
ARTICLE
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY WITH AN ACTIVE SWITCH ON AN AC BRIDGEARTICLEIncreasing power conversion efficiency and power density has always been the primary goal for the power supply industry. Over the past decade, there has been phenomenal progress thanks to the development of power devices, topologies, and control schemes. The evolution of super-junction MOSFETs, SiC diodes, as well as the latest GaN FETs, ensure higher switching efficiency at higher frequencies. At...
-
ARTICLE
USB TYPE-C BOOST AND BUCK-BOOST SOLUTIONS FOR PPSARTICLEGenerating USB Type-C (also called USB-C) charging power for multiple peripherals requires a flexible DC/DC converter that can work with a controller to deliver the desired voltage and current capability to the corresponding device. As power density increases — particularly in multiple-power port or hub applications — efficiency becomes paramount, and requires the lowest power loss to ...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING DATASHEET THERMAL PARAMETERS AND IC JUNCTION TEMPERATURESARTICLEThere is much confusion regarding how to make meaningful design decisions when converting a datasheet’s thermal resistance parameters. This introductory article will help today’s hardware engineers understand how to decipher the thermal parameters found in datasheets — including whether to choose theta vs. psi, how to calculate these values, and most importantly, how to apply the...
-
ARTICLE
QUICK TIPS TO DIAGNOSE AND STABILIZE AN UNSTABLE SWITCHING POWER SUPPLYARTICLEAn unstable power supply can cause severe system issues, such as audible noise from the passive components, unexpected jittering in the switching frequency, extreme oscillations on the output voltage during load transient events, and failures in the semiconductor switches. While there are various reasons for instability, an un-tuned compensation network accounts for majority of instability issues ...
-
ARTICLE
USING EXTERNAL KNOBS TO IMPROVE TRANSIENT PERFORMANCE OF BUCK REGULATORSARTICLEThe high power density requirement and board-level space constraints in modern applications — such as lighting, ADAS, and USB — call for higher integration in buck regulators. There is a trend to integrate MOSFETs and compensation networks inside the chip. This integration of the compensation network’s passive components saves cost, board space, and design iterations. However, it...
-
ARTICLE
AUDIBLE POWER SUPPLY NOISEARTICLEThe design requirements of today’s switching power supplies are driven by efficiency requirements not only at full load, but also under sleep mode or no-load conditions when the cable is disconnected. Power system integrators have to meet new regulations from agencies such as Energy Star, 80 Plus, and the European Commission’s CoC, regardless of the power supply’s load condition....
-
ARTICLE
LITHIUM-ION BATTERY CHARGER IC BASED MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING SYSTEMARTICLEIn an era characterized by the internet of things (IoT), more connectivity means more outdoor devices are now battery-powered and constantly communicating. In particular, an increasing number of outdoor devices are being powered through solar panels. The charger should be suitable for maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in outdoor designs with a solar panel. This article illustrates design tips fo...
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO ACHIEVE FAST CHARGING WITH USB PD IN PORTABLE DEVICESARTICLEToday’s consumers want to conveniently and quickly charge their portable devices anywhere, whether they are in a business center or shopping mall, or waiting for a flight or train. However, there are many different types of charging adapters and connectors, which can make determining which charger or chargers to have on hand confusing for the end user. If the consumer has to carry multiple d...
-
ARTICLE
POWER FACTOR CORRECTIONARTICLEPower factor is defined as the ratio of energy a device is capable of transmitting to the output versus the total amount of energy it takes from the input power source. It is a key figure of merit for the design of electrical devices, especially due to the regulations put in place by countries and international organizations like the EU, which define the minimum power factor or maximum level of ha...
-
ARTICLE
DC POWER SUPPLY NOISE REDUCTION AND MEASUREMENTARTICLEDC switching power can generate audible noise, which is often heard as a slight whistle. Where does audible noise come from, and how can it be reduced or eliminated? This article will describe simple ways to prevent noise while measuring and designing an application. Read on to find common weak points in existing or planned PCB designs for DC power supply circuits. It is a common belief that mu...
-
ARTICLE
SURFACE-MOUNTED INDUCTORS OPTIMIZED FOR MPS ICSARTICLEThe new surface-mounted power inductors from Monolithic Power Systems are designed for applications ranging from power supplies to power converters. The molded and semi-shielded series inductors include inductance ranges from 0.33µH to 22µH, and saturation current ranges from 0.8A to 64A. This series includes molded, magnetic-shielded power inductors that offer soft saturation due t...
-
ARTICLE
MP3424 SINGLE AA BATTERY BOOST SOLUTIONARTICLEA single AA battery is a very convenient power source for portable low-power applications. A typical AA battery has a 2 ampere-hour capacity, and can supply peak currents of over 2A. The battery can typically supply 1.5V when fully charged, down to 0.9V when discharged. This does not include the internal resistance drop, which can be between 100mΩ and 120mΩ. To convert that voltage ran...
-
ARTICLE
POWERING DATACENTERS WITH DIGITAL MULTI-PHASE CONTROLLERSARTICLEThe explosive growth of cloud services has driven major advances in datacenters, as well as networking and telecom equipment. Innovative demands impact the servers, storage, and networking switches that process these ever-increasing amounts of data. Infrastructure equipment is being pushed to its limits in terms of processing power and bandwidth. For power designers, the main challenge is how to e...
-
ARTICLE
USES, ADVANTAGES, AND WORKING PRINCIPLES OF A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLYARTICLEA power supply is an electrical device that converts the electric current that comes from a power source to the voltage value necessary for powering a load, like a motor or an electronic device. There are two main designs for power supplies: a linear power supply and a switching power supply. For many years, linear AC/DC power supplies have been transforming AC power from the utility grid ...
Videos for LLC Controller
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A HALF-BRIDGE LLC RESONANT CONVERTER WITH A CENTER-TAPPED TRANSFORMERARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a cornerstone in power electronics, and widely adopted across various markets due to their ability to achieve high efficiency while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) through soft-switching techniques. LLC topology offers several configurations optimized for specific applications. In particular, there are two prominent configurations for the primary s...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART II): WHAT TO CONSIDER IN LLC CONVERTER DESIGNARTICLEDesigning an LLC converter involves a wide range of design decisions and key parameters, many of which are related. This means any single design choice impacts a multitude of other parameters in the system. The LLC tank in particular poses the greatest design challenge because it determines the converter’s capacity to respond to changes in load, frequency, and voltage. Therefore, designers must pr...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART I): POWER SWITCHES AND RESONANT TANKARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a hot topic in power electronics because they can meet the demanding performance requirements set by modern power supply designs. The LLC is one of a significantly larger family of resonant converter topologies, all of which are based on resonant tanks. Resonant tanks are circuits made up of inductors and capacitors that oscillate at a specific frequency, called...
Articles for LLC Controller
-
ARTICLE
HOW TO DESIGN A HALF-BRIDGE LLC RESONANT CONVERTER WITH A CENTER-TAPPED TRANSFORMERARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a cornerstone in power electronics, and widely adopted across various markets due to their ability to achieve high efficiency while minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI) through soft-switching techniques. LLC topology offers several configurations optimized for specific applications. In particular, there are two prominent configurations for the primary s...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART II): WHAT TO CONSIDER IN LLC CONVERTER DESIGNARTICLEDesigning an LLC converter involves a wide range of design decisions and key parameters, many of which are related. This means any single design choice impacts a multitude of other parameters in the system. The LLC tank in particular poses the greatest design challenge because it determines the converter’s capacity to respond to changes in load, frequency, and voltage. Therefore, designers must pr...
-
ARTICLE
UNDERSTANDING LLC OPERATION (PART I): POWER SWITCHES AND RESONANT TANKARTICLELLC resonant converters have become a hot topic in power electronics because they can meet the demanding performance requirements set by modern power supply designs. The LLC is one of a significantly larger family of resonant converter topologies, all of which are based on resonant tanks. Resonant tanks are circuits made up of inductors and capacitors that oscillate at a specific frequency, called...
Log in to your account
Create New Account