Date: 09/03/2011

Power semiconductor devices and tech in 2011: Products displayed at APEC 2011

At the on going Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition, APEC 2011, power semiconductor companies are exhibiting their latest products providing clean and efficient power.

Analog Devices is demonstrating its digital PFC (power factor correction) controller with accurate AC power meter capability and inrush control functionality. ADP1047 digital PFC controller is effective for AC/DC power-factor correction and precision power metering applications that require high reliability and redundant power supplies, such as communications infrastructure and motor control.

At APEC Alpha and Omega Semiconductor has introduced AOTF27S60, its first high-voltage (600V) product based on a proprietary Alpha-MOS technology platform at APEC. AOTF27S60 is suitable for high voltage primary side applications. This new device reduces Rds by a factor of 3.5 compared to its planar 600V MOSFETs, and improves the switching figure-of-merit Rds*Qg by a factor of 5.7. The Rds*Qg figure-of-merit is also 4.3 times lower than the super-junction technology recently released by a leading competitor, claims Alpha and Omega.

Rogers Power Distribution Systems is exhibiting its RO-LINX family of custom-designed laminated busbars for power distribution applications. These high-current-density busbars provide high-power switching capabilities with minimal loss. RO-LINX Busbars, designed to control partial discharge, have a compact design and possess low inductance characteristics.
TT electronics is showcasing its power modules, resistors, inverters and transformers for DC/DC converters and Autopad non-contact inductive sensors targeting hybrid and electric vehicle applications.

Interesting presentation at APEC 2011 titled "Nanotechnology: Enabling the Next Generation of Power Electronics" is sponsored by Power Sources Manufacturers Association (PSMA) Nanotechnology Committee . The session will take place on Thursday morning, March 10th, 2011 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas and will provide a broad overview of current nanotechnology applications, materials and opportunities.

Texas Instruments is showcasing its new high efficiency step-down regulators with integrated FETs to support up to 25 A for telecommunications, networking and other applications. 25-A, 14-V, TPS56221 synchronous SWIFT switcher with integrated NexFET MOSFETs achieves a power density greater than 200 W/in3 with greater than 90-percent efficiency at high loads from a 12-V input to a 1.3-V output, delivering up to 25 A of continuous output current at 500-kHz switching frequency.

At APEC 2011TowerJazz Semiconductor has announced the release of its 0.18um power management EPI Platform Design Kit. This kit is an extension of its TS18PM platform which includes the industry's only scalable Rdson versus breakdown voltage LDMOS which enables 10-40% smaller die sizes and faster design cycle times. It also adds up to 40V EPI/NBL isolated devices.

Infineon Technologies has announced its medium voltage power MOSFETs, OptiMOS are available in CanPAK package. Compared to standard discrete packages, the CanPAK metal 'can' construction enables double-sided cooling along with almost no package parasitic inductances, leading to highest efficiency and system miniaturization.

NXP Semiconductors is showcasing its switching regulator ICs called GreenChip power ICs with ultra-low standby power at APEC 2011. The NXP GreenChip power ICs, also known as Switch Mode Power Supply controller ICs, are designed for adapters for mobile devices such as cell phone chargers, tablets and notebooks, as well as major home appliances or white goods. The GreenChip TEA1721 is the first member of the new high-performance low-power supply controllers with less than 10mW standby power consumption.
The most interesting launch at APEC is a new GaN (Gallium Nitride) based power switching diode by Transphorm Inc. Based on its patented, high-performance EZ GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology, this diode cuts energy waste by 20 percent targeting apps such as motor drives, power supplies and inverters for solar panels and electric vehicles. Transphorm will showcase at the APEC exhibition a Total GaN based, dc-to-dc Boost Converter running at more than 99 percent efficiency.

Micrel's products showcased at APEC include:
Micrel's SuperSwitcher II, which comprised of three DC-DC buck regulators MIC26400, MIC26600, and MIC26950 devices operate with an input supply voltage range from 4.5V to 26V and deliver an output current of 5A, 7A and 12A respectively. The MIC27600 operates over an input supply range of 4.5V to 36V and provides a regulated output of up to 7A of output current.

In the high performance LDO space, Micrel is showcasing the new 1.5 Amp MIC61150 and3.0 Amp MIC61300 LDOs designed for applications that require a low voltage, high current power supply, generated from a single input supply.
In the high voltage arena, the Micrel MIC2176-1/-2/-3 family operates over an input supply range of 4.5V to 75V and can be used to supply up to 15A of output current. The output voltage is adjustable down to 0.8V with a guaranteed accuracy of ±1 percent, and the device operates at a constant switching frequency of 100kHz, 200kHz, and 300kHz.
In the lighting solutions category, the MIC3201/02/03 HBLED driver ICs are more than 90 percent efficiency with ±5 percent current accuracy from input voltages of 4.5V to 42V.
PWM regulator from Micreol MIC23153 features internal MOSFETs which deliver up to 2A continuous output current yet the device consumes just 23µA quiescent current and is packaged in a tiny 2.5mm x 2.5mm Thin MLF.
MIC2860-2x: Linear White LED (WLED) drivers
The MIC5385: triple linear regulator offering high power supply rejection (PSRR).