Feature: Power
Figure 1: Smart power operation in a smart factory with machine-to-machine communication
consumption and peak disturbances on the grid. Already trialled in 2021, these power supplies have
been integrated into a complete ecosystem with M2M communication; see Figure 1. Not only do they deliver power to a load, e.g. conveyor motors, they also sense and adjust the level of energy to store in local supercapacitor banks; see Figure 2. From RFIDs inserted in your shipping box, to sensors placed
on motors and harvested-energy-powered micro systems, technology is developing very fast. Nanotechnology plays a part here, too; for example, nanotubes are used in very small supercapacitors, which can store enough energy to power sensors and transmitters. So the implementation of digital power and communication
is a must, but their levels of performance will require power engineers to design new power solutions with WBG semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN) or silicon carbide (SiC). This type of electronics will contribute to making e-commerce more energy-efficient and lowering the CO2
footprint.
Critical building blocks WBG transistors are most likely to prevail this year and beyond. That said, conventional power FETs are still making big progress, and among all these technologies there’s always one most suitable for an application. Another important building block is the advanced planar
transformer with interleaved multi-core technology. Not all power supplies require megahertz switching, but considering the constant quest for smaller supplies with higher efficiency, designers will have to consider new types of transformers and winding techniques. In that regard they will be helped by ferrite manufacturers developing new materials, but also by artificial
Figure 2: PRBX S-Cap Boost supercapacitors bank with digital control and communication interface, able to deliver peak energy to load and to store backward energy
Figure 3: PRBX multi-core auto-tuned power converters with advanced digital control and GaN FET transistors
www.electronicsworld.co.uk July/August 2022 23
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