Power Interface Modules Integrate Digital Communication Abilities
Ericsson has extended its 3E digital power module family with two new digital-communication-bus-enabled 540 to 648 W low-profile quarter-brick Power Interface Modules (PIMs). Compliant with the 300 W de facto industry-standard footprint and offering both I2C- and PMBus-based serial bus communications, the PIM4328PD and PIM4328PDA modules simplify board power monitoring and operational functionality without the need for additional external components, thereby shortening time-to-market and reducing development costs.
Based on the company's high-efficiency PIM4328P analog platform, the addition of bus communication to the modules increases the level of flexibility offered by digital monitoring, including voltage/current input parameters, making it possible for systems architects to evaluate the power consumption at board level - an important parameter to accurately monitor efficiency and also aid system compliance with energy efficiency legislation, where necessary.
The PIM4328PD embeds an industry-standard I2C /PMBus digital interface, which enables users to monitor the input and hold-up voltages, output current and device temperature. The product can be used with any standard two-wire I2C or SMBus host device. The PMBus-version of the module is compatible with PMBus version 1.2 and the product supports bus clock frequencies from 10 to 400kHz.
Offering 99% typical efficiency at 300 W output, the PIM4328PD and PIM4328PDA maintain the high standards of the dynamic and load step performance required in ATCA equipment, while limiting power losses across the filtering unit to a very low level.
The modules operate over an input range of 36 V to 75 V and are able to sustain a permanent output current of 10 A without forced airflow up to +70 °C and up to +90 °C with only 2.0 m/s (400 LFM) airflow. Output power is 390 W 39 V input (minimum) and up to 540 W when the input is 54 V (minimum). Due to excellent thermal design and use of high-performance components, when used in conjunction with a front-end power supply, output current can be extended up to 12 A. This results in output power of 648 W, allowing headroom when there is a requirement to upgrade boards with new processors or additional memory.
The 2250V DC I/O-isolated 12 W dual-power-management output voltages are 3.3 V/3.6 A and 5 V/0.15 A. Other features of the PIM4328PD and PIM4328PDA include protection against input transients, reverse polarity, over-temperature, over-current, input under-voltage and inrush current. The modules comply with RoHS requirements and have integral hot-swap functionality and hold-up charge and discharge management. The inputs include dual power feeds with ORing functionality and 'enable' signaling. The modules' MTBF is 1.5 million hours (Telcordia SR-332 Issue 2, Method 1) and meets safety requirements according to IEC/EN/UL 60950-1.
Prices of the PIM4328PD and PIM4328PDA start at $47.50 and $48.50, respectively, in OEM quantities.