VI BRICK BCM (Bus Converter Module): Intermediate Bus Conversion

The VI BRICK BCM (Fig. 10), also a Sine Amplitude Converter, provides an isolated intermediate bus voltage to power non-isolated POL converters from a narrow-input-range DC source to maximize power conversion. The BCM functions as a fixed-ratio DC-DC transformer, with the following characteristics:

• 48 V and high voltage input ranges (350 and 384 V)
• power up to 300 W or 90 A
• power density up to 390 W/in³
• efficiency up to 97%
• lightweight at 1.10 ounces (31.3 grams)
• isolation to 4,242 Vdc in a 2.08 in² package.

Figure 10 - VI BRICK BCM Click image for larger view

The BCM may be used to power non-isolated POL converters or as an independent DC source. Due to its fast response time and low noise, the need for limited life aluminum electrolytic or tantalum capacitors load is reduced — or eliminated — resulting in savings of board area, materials and total system cost. BCMs inherently support current-sharing, which allows parallel operation without additional control circuitry or interconnects.

High-power density BCMs that minimize total system capacitance when used as a bus converter enable dense IBA systems (see Fig. 11). For more information on using BCMs for IBA, see Application Note AN:001 "Configuring BCMs for Low Power NiPOLs."

Figure 11 - Bus conversion using VI BRICK BCMs Click image for larger view

BCMs are also available with high voltage (352 V, 384 V) input capabilities for high density DC-DC conversion, typically following a PFC stage in offline AC-DC conversion down to 48 V or 12 V.

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