TECHNOLOGY REVIEW Off-board - On demand! Schaffer IEC-inlet filters


considered to ensure that the position enables optimal thermal management. The designer must of course first consider the amount of thermal control that is required by the device. However, in some applications noise generation, available space within the device, high external vibration and shock levels, and water and dust ingress are all component selection considerations that may be critical to the operation of the device.


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Then there is the power supply. That potentially difficult yet vital component required in every electronic device. This could be anything from a simple battery pack, which must be mounted securely but may have a limited shelf life, to a SMPS or stand-alone programmable power supply which is a complex sub-system in its own right and needs considerable expertise to design in.


Other off-board components pose a different set of challenges. Thermal management solutions such as heatsinks and fans are essential for device operation but can be bulky. Installation needs to be very carefully


The ultimate off-board component is the enclosure. Here functionality and assembly are not the only considerations. The aesthetics of the final product, which is largely determined by the enclosure, can be a real selling point. Just look at consumer items such as the iPad which have a real ‘wow’ factor compared to their competitive products.


Another big difference that separates the selection of on-board components from their off-board cousins is the engineer. While PCB components are electronic in nature, off-board parts are often specified by electrical or even mechanical design engineers. All engineering disciplines are equally valid but sometimes a mechanical engineer will not have the experience to address all the electrical issues; conversely the electronics engineer may not appreciate the effects of environmental stresses: mechanical, moisture, thermal etc.


D/C - D/C converter heatsinks 8 focus magazine - issue 10 www.avnet-abacus.eu


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