FDK intros new series "Tomodachi" of digital POL converters

JAPAN: FDK Corp. expanded its power conversion product portfolio with the introduction of the Tomodachi series of non-isolated, digital point-of-load (POL) DC-DC converters.

As announced previously, these converters are licensed from GE and are fully compatible with GE's DLynx products. They meet Distributed-power Open Standards Alliance (DOSA) digital POL standards and are equipped with the industry standard PMBusTM interface which enables the system to monitor power consumption with high resolution.

The Tomodachi series is offered as very small surface mount devices delivering up to 3, 6, 12, 20 and 40 Amperes (A) of output current at efficiencies up to 95 percent. The 3A to 20A models operate from a 3.0Vdc to 14.4Vdc input bus and provide a tightly regulated programmable output voltage in the range of 0.45Vdc to 5.5Vdc.

The 40A model operates from 4.5Vdc to 14.4Vdc and provides a tightly regulated programmable output voltage in the range of 0.45Vdc to 2.0Vdc.

The 3A, 6A and 12A models are offered in a 0.48" x 0.48" (12.2 x 12.2mm) SMD package that occupies a footprint of less than 0.24 in2 (1.5cm2). The 20A model is offered in a 0.80" x 0.45" (20.3 x 11.4mm) SMD package and 40A model is offered in a 1.30" x 0.53" (33.0 x 13.5mm) SMD package.

These converters provide significant space savings over discrete on-board solutions and are particularly suitable for high density racks and blade systems applications. They are targeted toward telecommunications, data communications, wireless infrastructure, computing, semiconductor testing, industrial and consumer applications where board space, cost, efficiency, and reliable operation in elevated temperature environments are critical.

The Tomodachi series converters employ the space saving Tunable Loop technology to optimize transient load response with reduced system capacitance. Other standard features include input under-voltage lockout (UVLO), a power good signal, switching frequency synchronization, remote ON/OFF, over-current and over-temperature protection, and output voltage margining using industry-standard trim equations.

Each model in the series is offered in a pin-compatible analog version for design flexibility and further cost savings.

"The Tomodachi series converters give customers the ability to establish multiple sources for digital power with minimal design effort. And the analog versions of the digital models offer design flexibility, risk mitigation, and cost reduction opportunities." said Akira Kamada, executive technical advisor, FDK. "FDK will continue to add to this exciting segment of its dc-dc converter product line."

All Tomodachi series products are RoHS compliant. They are manufactured using FDK's state-of-the-art in-house manufacturing processes and systems. In quantities of 1000, the 3A to 40A converters range in price from $5.00 to $22.00 for the digital models, and from $4.20 to $21 for the analog versions. Samples are available now.