Mini, wide DC-DC converters
ProductJuly 26, 2010
Alice Moss
Military Embedded Systems
Chris A. Ciufo
General Micro Systems, Inc.
It sounds like a line from a country western song, but the 28V Wide Input Mini Family of DC-DC Converters; high-efficiency DC-DC converters from Vicor are both mini and wide.
It sounds like a line from a country western song, but the “28V Wide Input Mini Family of DC-DC Converters” high-efficiency DC-DC converters from Vicor are both “mini” and “wide.” How’s that? Their small “mini” size fits between the vendor’s micro and maxi sizes at 2.28" x 2.2" x 0.5" (59.9 x 55.9 x 12.7 mm), making them ideal in size-constrained, high-rel applications. Four temperature grades are available, the most robust capable of -55 °C operation at 90 percent energy efficiency.
More important is the “wide” part. Designed for vehicles with 12 V or 24 V battery power, the converters can accept voltage inputs from 9 to 36 V (for the 12 VDC unit) or 18 to 36 V (for the 24 VDC unit). Vehicle charging systems, high battery loads, and discharged cells can easily swing available voltages within the limits of these converters. All the while, each is capable of outputting a stable voltage in eight model increments from 3.3 V to 48 V. Finally, mounting options include slotted, threaded, or through-hole, and the device’s encapsulation is assured void-free to maximize energy and heat efficiency, along with reliability.
