Featured Applications Note:

• Micro Family Isolated Remote Sense

  (6 pages, 412k)
  Vicor¡¦s Micro DC-DC converters do not have remote sense pins. Nevertheless, remote sense can be achieved by employing external circuitry. A circuit is proposed that senses the voltage at the load and adjusts the converter output voltage to compensate for the voltage drop in the leads / traces. It also provides isolation of the sense leads / traces that is beneficial in high-noise applications.

• Converter PR Pin Facilitates Parallel Operation for Power Expansion or Redundancy

  (2 pages, 84k)
  A unique feature has been designed into Vicor's Maxi, Mini and Micro converter modules which facilitates parallel operation for power expansion or redundancy.

• Hot Swap Capability Eliminates Downtime

  (4 pages, 44k)
  Hot swap capability imposes special needs to insure survival of the component which is subjected to live insertion and extraction. In addition, it is necessary to prevent any significant disturbance of either input or output power rails during live insertion / extraction.

• Line Filter, VI-HAM Harmonic Attenuator Module

  (1 page, 56k)
  The VI-HAM Harmonic Attenuator Module requires an external filter to meet international standards for EMI / RFI emissions, and incorporates transient surge protection.

• Wide Range Trimming with Variable Loads

  (2 pages, 127k)
  The output of Vicor Maxi, Mini, Micro Series DC-DC converter modules can be programmed from 10 to 110% of their nominal output voltage. Trimming down is easily accomplished with a small low power resistor or potentiometer connected between the SC pin and the -S pin.

• Component Power Solutions for Industrial High Voltage Applications

  (3 pages, 122k)
  State-of-the-art Vicor Maxi, Mini, Micro Series DC-DC converters offer many features that facilitate their integration into a complete power solution. Foremost of these is a unique current sharing scheme which allows for increased power capability, with current sharing accuracy between modules better than 5%.

• High Efficiency Battery Charger Using Power Components

  (4 pages, 127k)
  An offline battery charger – using the Unitrode UC3906 battery charger controller chip and a Vicor Maxi, Mini, Micro Series DC-DC converter module – provides design flexibility, small size, and highefficiency. The system is described, and an estimate of overall efficiency of the battery charger is derived.

• Phased Array Controller

  (2 pages, 68k)
  The Phased Array Controller (PAC) Integrated Circuit enhances the performance of power-sharing arrays of modular DC-DC converters. This device is intendedfor processing load share signals on the parallel bus of 2nd Generation Vicor converters.

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• Thermal Considerations: Assuring Performance of Maxi, Mini and Micro High-Density DC-DC Converter Modules

  (3 pages, 143k)
  As the modular DC-DC converter industry realizes greater power densities, proper thermal management must be achieved in order to get the most usable power to the load. Efficiency, while an important element in thermal management, is not the only item to consider. Dealing with the heat generated by the conversion process should not be underestimated nor overlooked when designing or selecting a power supply.

• Meeting transient specifications for electrical systems in military vehicles

  (8 pages, 208k)
  Electrical systems in military vehicles are normally required to meet stringent transient requirements. Typical of these specifications are MIL-STD-1275B in the U.S.A. and DEF-STAN 61-5 (Part 6 )/ Issue 5 in the UK. Although the specified levels of these surges and spikes are outside the capability of Vicor Maxi, Mini and Micro modules, it is quite possible, with simple circuitry, to make the 24 V input (18 36 V input range) DC-DC converter modules compliant to these specifications for the 28 V vehicle voltage system.

• Current Share Board

  (2 pages, 35k)
  "Current sharing" also known as load sharing, is the ability to divide the output current evenly across all active power supplies. This greatly reduces stresses on each power supply and allows them to run cooler resulting in higher reliability. Standard current sharing techniques typically utilize shunt resistors or Hall-Effect devices to . measure the current from each power supply. Power shunt resistors continually dissipate power and require cooling . especially when dealing with high output currents of >100 Amps.

• Adjustable Latching Output Over Current Circuit

  (4 pages, 245k)
  Many users, for logistical reasons, employ a particular module for many applications at significantly lower power than the unit is able to provide. The potential damage to down stream PCB traces and components caused by the module high current source capability creates a need for an adjustable latching output current limit circuit.

• Active PFC for Electronic Power Supplies

  (2 pages, 24k)
  When choosing a strategy for PFC, it is essential to recognize that the poor power factor occurring in electronic power conversion equipment is entirely different from the traditional poor power factor seen with inductive motor loads, and requires a different corrective approach.

• Controlling the BatMod with a Digital Potentiometer

  (2 pages, 36k)
  The BatMod is a modular, component level DC-DC converter that provides a programmable output voltage and current limit suitable for battery charging or other applications that require constant current with external control.

• Designing a Battery Charger

  (2 pages, 28k)
  Vicor's BatMod current source module enables designers to easily build a compact, lightweight battery charging system with commonly available parts.

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• Using Modular DC-DC Converters to Meet European Standards for Railway Applications

  (3 pages, 40k)
  This Applications Note shows how to comply with these standards using modular Vicor DC-DC converters to facilitate the design of complex power supplies.

• Creating High Voltage Outputs

  (1 page, 40k)
  This Applications Note describes two approaches to producing a high voltage output. One solution provides a fixed output voltage, the other an adjustable output voltage.

• Designing a Power Supply with Multiple Input Options

  (1 page, 24k)
  Some electronic systems such as field communications equipment must be able to operate from a variety of power sources. These systems may also require backup power in case the primary source is interrupted.

• Meeting Conducted Noise Standards

  (2 pages, 36k)
  Finding an efficient, compact solution to meeting EMI requirements is a greater challenge than ever. Here's how to meet the strict limits of FCC / VDE Class B using industry standard high density components.

• Powering Dynamic Loads

  (2 pages, 32k)
  This document illustrates Vicor converters' current limiting safety feature and design strategies that will allow your power system to maintain stable output voltages and sufficient available power levels in applications with widely and / or rapidly fluctuating loads.

• Soldering Methods and Procedures for RoHS Compliant Modules

  (5 pages, 84k)
  This document provides guidance on soldering practices to make high quality connections of RoHS Compliant Vicor power modules to printed circuit boards.

• Soldering Methods and Procedures for non-RoHS Compliant Vicor Modules

  (5 pages, 83k)
  This document provides guidance on soldering practices to make high quality connections of non-RoHS Compliant Vicor power modules to printed circuit boards.

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