Vicor is now shipping RoHS compliant products

Customers using Vicor products can decide for themselves the date that they wish to transition to RoHS compliant manufacturing processes. Whilst the European Community has established a date of 1st July 2006 for full RoHS compliance, some customers may wish to transition immediately whilst others in market areas such as Defence and Telecoms, which are generally excluded, may wish to delay transition.

For our first generation VI-200 and VI-J modules Vicor has introduced new VE- part numbers that allow customers to specify RoHS compliant product. For our 2nd Generation products, specifying a -G suffix (for long pins) or an -F suffix (for short pins) will in future indicate RoHS compliance. All compliant products will be clearly marked as such on product labels.

Most of the Vicor product range is now available in a RoHS compliant form. For further details of our RoHS strategy including a product roadmap please visit the RoHS area of our website.

A new lower-cost 2nd Gen option for dc-dc modules and VIPAC arrays

Vicor customers will be pleased to know that there is now a new, lower cost option for the high performance line of 2nd Generation dc-dc converter modules and VIPAC Arrays – E-Grade versions.

With the addition of the E-grade, Vicor can now offer four different environmental grades of the 2nd Gen product family: E-grade products have an operating temperature range down to -10ºC;
C-grade operate down to -25ºC; T and H-grades at -40ºC and M-grades at -55ºC. Additionally H and M-grade products undergo extensive environmental screening prior to shipment.

These dc-dc converter modules use advanced power processing, control, and packaging technologies to provide high power density, flexibility and reliability, along with cost effectiveness achieved through high volume manufacturing.

E-grade modules and power systems are priced approximately 15% below C-grade versions, allowing more power designers to reap the benefits of designing with high performance, high density dc-dc converters. These products are available in four different input ranges (24, 48, 300 and 375V), seven different output voltages (2-48V, with a 54V available for 375Vin), and three package sizes (quarter, half, and full brick). Different baseplate and pin options are also available. Efficiency ranges from 80-90% depending on output voltage, operating temperature range is -10 to 100ºC and storage temperature range is -20 to 125ºC.

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Improving output ripple

Vicor's DC-DC converter incorporates an output filter that provides ripple/noise levels suitable for most customers. However, in some situations there are much higher requirements for low output noise and quiet supply voltages. These can be achieved by using some additional components such as extra capacitors, LC groups (PI filter) or more complex filters including common mode chokes.

Vicor provides a wide range of passive components and active solutions to help our customers to meet their sophisticated design requirements. A good measurement technique is required to get repeatability and to ensure that other stray elements do not effect your measurement. Therefore, you will also find probe sockets (Johnson Jacks) as part of our list of available accessories, in the Vicor Express catalogue.

The socket ground terminal should be connected closely to the converter output. This minimizes the transformation of common-mode into differential-mode noise by unbalanced probe impedances. Unbalanced impedance results in distorted and misleading scope plots. Module shields are also available to reduce radiated CM noise, which has similar effects on the measurement. Please keep in mind that ripple/noise measurements are taken at a limited bandwidth of 20MHz.

Comparison of ripple levels of a V48C5C100 dc-dc converter @10A load current with and without µRAM output filter.

The proper way to get good ripple measurement results.

Vicor's active output filter solutions provide excellent performance levels down to 3 mVpp. In addition, our µRAM and QPO output filters significantly improve transient response. Applications engineering will be available to assist our customers with their output noise problems at any time.

Speedometer for buses and subway

Vicor modules (VI-J00 products) are used to redesign speedometers for urban transport such as buses and subway trains. Using the 'T' input voltage range, Vicor modules are very well suited to the transportation field. 'T' input voltages range from 66 to 160Vdc and fit with 72Vdc; 96Vdc and 110Vdc, with the same part numbers.

Vicor modules were suitable for this project because of the wide input voltage range: 66-160Vdc. The low storage and operating temperatures were also of benefit to the client; the baseplate can be put onto a cold surface to make the design easier. Also, because the modules are fully encapsulated, they withstand high shock and vibration environments.

New tram-trains using tyres

This new rubber-tyred vehicle system takes bus and tramway and combines the advantages of the two systems: better stability, a smoother ride for travellers, only one central rail, more flexibility and, with a diesel engine, it can be used on every road.

Vicor modules (VI-J00 products) are used in this modern system of transportation. With a wide input voltage range of 18-36Vdc, a high reliability (MTBF), low size and weight, and ease of use, the Vicor modules provided the ideal solution.

New technical glossary

A fully comprehensive and user-friendly A-Z listing of terms and definitions. From 'AC-DC' to 'Zero-Current-Switching', this new glossary lists the most common, and not so common, terms used in power supply design and engineering. Each entry gives a detailed definition of the term and, where relevant, links to appropriate sections of the Vicor website. To try it for yourself, click here.

Vicor Asia's Regional Sales Managers

Arthur Yui

Arthur joined Vicor in May 1998 as Regional Sales Manager, looks after all Asia Pacific except Japan with dedicated responsibilities in China, Australia, India, Singapore/Malaysia & South East Asia. He was the Product Marketing Manager in Avnet before joining Vicor and worked as Product Marketing in component distribution since 1992.

Arthur has a degree in Electronics & Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration and he lives in HK with his beloved pets & cars.

Ivan Tam

Born in 1967, Ivan has a degree in Electronic Engineering who worked over 15 years in the sales and marketing for electronics components and systems. Joining Vicor HK in the summer of Y2K as Regional Sales Manager, he responsible for the business in Mainland China, Korea and Taiwan.

Ivan lives in Hong Kong with his wife and two young daughters. In his spare time he enjoys cooking and water sports.

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