Intersil proposes Stealth as answer to PFC

Intersil has developed a simple and efficient solution to meet the recently approved European standards for Boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) of power supply standards at low cost.

Intersil has developed a simple and efficient solution to meet the recently approved European standards for Boost Power Factor Correction (PFC) of power supply standards at low cost.

Intersil has combined its switch mode power supply (SMPS) IGBT with its recently announced Stealth Diodes resulting in the lowest cost, most efficient and highest power-density design to meet the latest EMC testing requirements.

Intersil's SMPS series IGBTs improve power factor by allowing high speed switching with minimal power loss.

The devices are capable of operating at five times the current density of a standard high voltage mosfet, allowing smaller equipment with lower power losses.

The Stealth Diode is designed for high power, high frequency power supply applications and combines high speed and soft recovery characteristics for low electromagnetic interference (EMI).

The soft recovery diode improves the efficiency of switch mode power supplies.

A diode normally allows current flow in a single direction only.

In high frequency, high power applications, the diode may be required to suddenly permit current flow in the opposite direction.

Intersil's Stealth Diode meets these challenges by reducing recovery current.

Power circuits also generate severe EMI if the response of the diode is too sudden.

Intersil's Stealth Diode helps soften this response, reducing EMI and improving system reliability.

Intersil's Stealth Diode is soft and fast and was designed to improve EMC, facilitating higher frequency operation.

The device reduces reverse recovery current, IGBT turn-on losses, EMI and stress on input capacitors.

Excessive harmonic emissions resulting from poor PFC indicate inefficient use of power and create EMI emissions that can interfere with other electronic equipment.

As an example, the maximum power available from a wall socket can be almost doubled by using a PFC-based power supply.

PFC circuits are particularly critical in power supplies used in computers and telecomms equipment.

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