Power: HV pulse modulator; modules; USB device controller, charger

Power-related product introductions include a high-voltage pulse modulator from Diversified Technologies Inc.; two new families of power modules for industrial motor applications and traction drives from Infineon Technologies; and a monolithic autonomous power manager, controller, and battery charger for portable USB devices from Linear Technology Corp.

By Control Engineering Staff June 8, 2006

PowerMod HVPM Series Solid-State Modulators can replace thyratrons and switch tubes, according to Diversified Technologies.

Power-related product introductions include a high-voltage pulse modulator from Diversified Technologies Inc .; two new families of power modules for industrial motor applications and traction drives from Infineon Technologies ; and a monolithic autonomous power manager, controller, and battery charger for portable USB devices from Linear Technology Corp .

Diversified Technologies offers a solid-state high-voltage pulse modulator that provides an easy way to change pulse frequency and pulse width, without load impedance, and with built-in fault protection. PowerMod HVPM Series Solid-State Modulators can be configured to deliver 3-30 MW of peak pulses, with voltages up to 30 kV and currents up to 1 kA. Operating on 110 V ac and 19-in. rack mountable, they feature &1

Infineon Technologies introduced two new families of power modules for industrial motor applications and traction drives, from its Industrial Power business unit (previously known as Eupec). A family of compact IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) modules enable optimization of power converter systems for various industrial drives, windmills, elevators, or auxiliary drives, power supplies, and heating systems in trains. PrimePack modules are said to use innovative packaging with Infineon’s new generation IGBT4 chips, with 60% reduction in stray inductance and operating temperatures to 150 °C. Also new are IGBT-based IHM/IHV B series modules, said to enable highly efficient power inverter designs for use in harsh environments with high load and temperature cycling requirements.

LTC4085 USB controller and charger are guaranteed for operation from -40 to 85 °C; 1,000-piece pricing starts at $1.65 ea.

Linear Technology introduces the LTC4085, a monolithic autonomous power manager, diode controller, and standalone battery charger for portable USB devices. It features PowerPath control that provides power to the USB peripheral device and charges the peripheral’s single-cell Li-Ion battery from the USB VBUS or a wall adapter power supply. To comply with USB current-limit specifications, it automatically reduces battery charge current as system load current increases. To ensure that a fully charged battery remains fresh when the bus is connected, the IC directs power to the load through the USB bus rather than from the battery. When the power source is removed, current flows from the battery to the load through an internal 200 mOhm low-loss ideal diode. It offers the option of charging the battery at a higher rate (up to 1.5 A) than USB specifications allow (100/500 mA).

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—Edited by Mark T. Hoske, Control Engineering editor in chief, MHoske@cfemedia.com