search.noResults

search.searching

saml.title
dataCollection.invalidEmail
note.createNoteMessage

search.noResults

search.searching

orderForm.title

orderForm.productCode
orderForm.description
orderForm.quantity
orderForm.itemPrice
orderForm.price
orderForm.totalPrice
orderForm.deliveryDetails.billingAddress
orderForm.deliveryDetails.deliveryAddress
orderForm.noItems
POWER When Smaller Is Better Question:


How does a µModule regulator fit into such a small space? Answer:


Many required components are already integrated. P


ower modules have been on the market for many years now. A power module is a packaged, usually switched-mode power supply that can simply be soldered to a board and fulfils its task of converting an input voltage into a regulated output voltage. Compared with a switching regulator IC, where usually only the controller and the power switches are integrated into a chip, a power module also offers the integration of numerous passive components. Usually, the term “power module” is used when the inductor is integrated. Figure 2 shows the necessary components for a switched-mode step- down converter (buck topology). The dashed lines delineate the switching regulator IC and the power module. The development process for the voltage conversion circuit for these modules is assumed by the manufacturer of the power module, so the user does not have to be a power supply expert. There are other advantages besides this one. Through the high degree of integration in the module, the size of the switched-mode power supply can be especially small.


Quieter and Smaller DC-to-DC Regulation


Switching regulators naturally produce radiated EMI, as their operation requires high dI/dt events at relatively high frequency. EMI compliance is often mandatory and a critical design challenge for signal processing in medical equipment, RF transceivers, and test and measurement systems.


For example, if a system fails EMI compliance or if the switching regulator impacts integrity of high speed digital or RF signals, debugging and re-design not only





For small power supplies, it is very important to offer an especially high conversion efficiency, otherwise there could potentially be problems with heat dissipation.


” Figure 2. A step-down (buck) switching regulator highly integrated with the inductor in a power module. 36 MAY 2024 | ELECTRONICS FOR ENGINEERS


Figure 1. The LTM8074 uses Silent Switcher architecture for a complete low noise solution in a tiny package.


create long design cycles, they also elevate cost due to re-evaluation. Furthermore, the chance of noise is more pronounced in a denser PCB layout where the dc-to-dc switching regulators are in close proximity to noise sensitive components and signal routes.


Instead of relying on cumbersome EMI mitigation techniques, such as lowering the switching frequency, adding filter circuitry to PCB, or installing shielding, a better approach is to suppress the noise at the source; the dc-to-dc silicon itself. For a more compact dc-to-dc solution, all the components including MOSFETs, inductors, dc-to-dc ICs, and supporting components can be housed in a tiny over-moulded package resembling a surface-mountable IC. See Figure 1. In addition to a quieter dc-to-dc conversion which meets most EMI compliance specifications such as EN 55022 Class B and small footprint, it’s important to minimise the number of other components on the PCB such as output capacitors. With a fast transient response dc-to-dc regulator, dependency on output capacitance is reduced. What this means is that the design is simplified by optimised internal feedback loop compensation, which provides sufficient stability margins under a wide range of


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50