Quarter bricks drop in to upgrade power designs

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Feb 6, 2007

DC/DC modules provide extra output voltage ranges, more current and more power for telecomms and data equipment vendors.

Expanding its ground breaking PKM-E series of DC/DC modules, Ericsson Power Modules has introduced a further three models that provide extra output voltage ranges, more current and more power for telecomms and data equipment vendors operating in the areas of distributed power architecture, wireless networks, enterprise networks, access and optical networks, industrial and the latest generation of ICs (DSP, FPGA, ASIC).

Addressing market needs for cost efficient, high efficiency, standard products, Ericsson Power Modules has added: the PKM4515ZE PI 48V input 24V/2.1A 50W output; the PKM4619E PI 48V input 2.5V/25A 62.5W output; and the PKM4810E PI 48V input 3.3V/25A 82.5W output.

The PKM4515ZE PI is specially designed to power fans, blowers and fan-trays.

In this application, the module contributes to efficient cooling, reducing heat build up in electronic systems.

To enable multiple sourcing, the modules use the ubiquitous, industry standard quarter-brick format, and the use of a cost efficient, proprietary open-frame design enables Ericsson to offer a very competitive pricing structure, providing cost savings to both purchasers and end users.

Reducing energy consumption, the modules feature high efficiency - typically 92% at 3.3V output half load - and operate over an input voltage range of 36 to 75V DC.

They feature remote on/off, output voltage adjustment, remote sense, current protection, overvoltage protection and overtemperature protection.

The PKM-E family uses a single side components mounting design, again contributing to a cost effective solution.

The family is Ericsson's latest, nonbaseplated, cost-efficient quarter-brick platform.

It allows the user to simply replace an existing quarter-brick part with a high reliability PKM-E that is approximately 25% lower cost, and complies with RoHS legislation.

With a height of only 8.5mm, it is ideal for low profile applications.

A heatsink option is available for applications where cold wall mounting is deployed.

A specially developed magnetic design contributes to more power being available from these latest modules.

The PKM-E has experienced quick market adoption, and has won several design-ins in a wide range of applications such as the growing ATCA (Advanced Telecom Computing Architecture) and industrial computerised process control.

The PKM-E family complies with all the requirements for industry-standard quarter-brick products.

Coupled with a complete programme that addresses all of the commonly required output voltages, this means that Ericsson Power Modules' PKM-E family is a very viable, no compromise, cost effective platform that can replace more costly products with minimum qualification efforts.

In fact, the platform has spawned the phrase "don't respin, just drop it in".

The message to engineers being, don't revise your board, just drop in a more cost efficient and environmentally friendly solution.

The modules offer a reliability figure of 1.5Mh MTBF at 40C and are fully RoHS compliant.