CONTENTS Power for efficiency


The PCIM Europe Conference and exhibition has evolved over the years as a major technical platform for discussing new developments within the field of power electronics. This year’s event pays special attention to new areas of Power Electronic system development such as solar and wind power technologies, e-mobility and new advances in energy transmission. Among the key drivers for these applications are advanced power semi- conductor devices, new materials to improve both device and system reliability and ideas on managing parasitic effects in the circuit set-up. On page 8 of this Power Supplement we take a look


at the key themes at this year’s event and provide an overview of the conference programme at PCIM 2013. Technology and design have a major impact on the


power industry and Steve Carr of Future Electronics looks at the role of the distributor in terms of aiding and supporting customers’ power systems design. It’s a growing one at a time when a host of external and internal factors are increasingly influencing power design.


The theme of this year’s PCIM is power for efficiency and this supplement assesses some of the key themes


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and developments that are impacting on and influencing the power industry at present. Keith Bassett, from Linear Technology, assesses a new monolithic buck regulator with particular reference to current and temperature monitoring and on page 12 Shane Callahan, Director of Applications Engineering at Excelsys Technologies, looks at the challenges associated with making power supplies smaller while at the same time continuing to maintain the long-term reliability of these parts. Ensuring that a power supply is safe and appropriate for a particular product is a complicated process. With an abundance of power supply options, we assess some of the testing considerations that should be taken to ensure that a product and its power components are safe. This supplement provides just a snap-shot of some of the issues confronting design engineers engaged in delivering power management solutions, but I hope it raises some interesting issues when it comes to designing an efficient power supply.


Neil Tyler, Editor


Consultant of supply chain partner Steve Carr looks at the growing role of distributors in power systems design


Pushing system performance Keith Bassett talks us through the current and temperature monitoring available in the new 20V, 2.5A synchronous monolithic buck regulator from Linear Technology


Power for efficiency CIE takes a look at the themes and events at this year’s PCIM


Testing the safety of power supplies Ensuring that a power supply is safe and appropriate for a particular product is a complicated process, with many separate testing considerations to be taken into account


Reducing the size of your power supply As expectations grow for ever smaller, more cost effective solutions how can engineers maintain the long-term reliability of these parts? Shane Callanan looks at the challenges


Going digital


By using digital signal processing techniques digital power solutions are able to offer both performance and integration enhancements, as Alexei Zernov and Yngve Wernqvist explain


Improving energy efficiency Geoff Kempster looks at the advances being made in the monitoring and analysing of power quality


Efficiency standards for external power Editor: Neil Tyler


neil.tyler@cieonline.co.uk T) 0845 013 8429


M) 07985 607730


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Sales Executive: Chloe Williams chloe.williams@cieonline.co.uk T) 0844 381 4235


Design: Eric Ridden F) 0845 337 4960 F) 0845 337 4960


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CIE Power Supplement 2013 3


Power Supplement 2013


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