Artesyn Technologies has launched the first of a new series of ultra-efficient 15A non-isolated point-of-load (niPOL) converters designed for surface mounting. The new SMT15E series DC/DC converters are exceptionally compact - they have an industry-standard footprint of just 1.3 x 0.53 inches, and an aboveboard height of only 0.32 inches. These converters are the most efficient surface-mount niPOL products on today's market; the series includes models capable of 95% conversion efficiency, yielding an unprecedented power density in excess of 222W/in³. The new SMT15E series DC/DC converters are the first of a new generation of surface-mount niPOL products that Artesyn is developing for high-end applications in the telecommunications and data communications markets. Their extremely low profile makes them particularly suitable for applications that use tight inter-board rack spacing to minimize system size. The converters are expressly designed for use with standard low voltage 3.3V and 5.0V on-board bus levels, enabling the power stage to operate with optimized duty cycles for maximum conversion efficiency; they employ synchronous buck topology, using fixed-frequency (300kHz) switching and ultra low on-resistance MOSFETs. The target application areas of the new SMT15E series are principally those that demand very small footprint, high reliability power sources capable of operating over a very wide temperature range, such as optical network and wireless infrastructure components and systems. At launch, the SMT15E series of surface-mount niPOL converters comprises two models, offering fixed outputs of 2.5V and 3.3V. Artesyn intends expanding this range very rapidly, so that within a few weeks the series will include a further six fixed-output models, offering voltages of 0.8V, 1.0V, 1.2V, 1.5V, 1.8V and 2.0V. All eight of these niPOL converters can accommodate any input voltage in the range 3.0V to 5.5V. The company is also introducing a wide output trim model; this requires a 4.5V to 5.5V input, but its output can be adjusted from 0.8V to 3.6V using a single resistor. Artesyn has chosen to include this model to maximize design-in flexibility - electronics designers can begin using these latest-generation niPOL converters with confidence, even if the voltage requirements of some of the ICs in their designs change in the near future. All SMT15E series niPOL converters employ an open-frame, single-board construction to minimize cost and weight and simplify thermal management. They are constructed entirely from surface-mount components, including the magnetic devices, and are designed for fully-automated assembly to help keep manufacturing costs as low as possible. The converters accommodate a very wide operational temperature range of -40ºC to +100ºC ambient, and are expressly designed as high reliability products, using very conservative component de-rating criteria. SMT15E series niPOL converters feature remote sense and remote on/off facilities, have no minimum load requirement, and are comprehensively protected against over-temperature and short-circuit conditions. The converters are optionally available without the remote sense and/or trim surface-mount connectors, for customers who wish to adopt a single PCB pad layout that will facilitate second-sourcing of converters. Artesyn's SMT15E series niPOL converters carry a full set of international safety approvals - including EN60950 (TÜV Product Service) and UL/cUL60950. Pricing for 10,000-piece quantities is $16.85 US, and the standard lead time is stock to 6-8 weeks.

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