New Vicor DCM3717 and DCM3735 DC-DC power modules support the growing trend of 48 V-centric power delivery networks (PDNs) that provide greater power system efficiency, power density, and lower weight versus 12 V based PDNs. The DCM products are non-isolated, regulated DC-DC converters, operating from a 40 – 60 V input to generate a regulated output adjustable from 10 V to 12.5 V. The DCM3717 family is available in two power ranges, 750 W and 1 kW, and the DCM3735 is a 2 kW device. These new DCM products can be paralleled to rapidly scale system power levels.
With industry-leading power density at 5 kW/in3, these new DCM products enable power system designers to deploy high-performance 48 V power delivery networks for legacy 12 V loads and achieve significant size, weight and efficiency benefits.
The 5.2 mm low-profile SM-ChiP™ surface-mount package is thermally adept, easing thermal management system design.
The DCM3717S60E13G5TN1 (750 W) and DCM3717S60D13K0TN1 (1000 W) are available today (size: 36.7 x 17.3 x 5.2 mm), and the DCM3735S60D13L0TN1 (2000 W / size: 36.7 x 35.4 x 5.2 mm) will be available later this year.
Enabling Easy Conversion from High Voltage to 12 V via a 48 V Hub
Power delivery networks (PDNs) are making a decisive shift from 12 V to 48 V architectures to take advantage of higher efficiency. The benefits of using 48 V have been illustrated in high-performance computing, automotive and in many other applications. However, seizing this opportunity presents many power system design challenges for legacy systems that have been optimized around 12 V architectures for decades. Vicor, the leader in 48 V DC-DC power conversion, is easing the transition with a 48 V-centric power module approach to power systems design and, as with other 48 V power modules, this new family of non-isolated DCM products can be used in conjunction with the Vicor BCM® high-voltage fixed-ratio bus converter family that converts from high voltage (800 V and 400 V) to 48 V. Once a 48 V bus is established, Vicor DCM products can efficiently convert from 48 V to a regulated 12 V.
Industrial Applications are Transitioning to 48 V PDNs
Growth applications, such as battery formation and test (BFT) and semiconductor automated test equipment, aspire to rapidly transition to 48 V PDNs to gain a competitive advantage but are hindered by existing investments in 12 V power conversion. Some BFT implementations, for example, have been optimized to convert 12 V to the battery cell load and cannot be readily re-engineered for 48 V. The DCM3717/3735 products enable BFT systems engineers to preserve their existing investment by bridging 48 V and 12 V to create a high-performance 4 8V PDN.
The Vicor broad ecosystem of 48 V centric power modules enables easy scalability and unprecedented flexibility when converting from high voltage to point-of-load for a wide variety of applications.