Ultra wide input range power module
1 min read
Designed for systems powered by 24 or 48V batteries, the PKM5000D is a quarter-brick, isolated dc/dc converter that is optimised to deliver what Ericsson Power Modules claims is the highest efficiency across an input voltage range of 18 to 75V.
It is suitable for a range of applications in ICT, offering systems designers the opportunity to use the same dc/dc converter for use in 24 and 48V systems, also to power remote-feeding applications that utilise 20 to 60V line voltages with an operational margin to ensure that remote systems will always operate whatever the source voltage status is.
ICT equipment is mostly powered by 48V, but it is common in radio-applications to use 24V batteries instead. As a result, systems designers often have to design two versions of the same board, embedding a dedicated 48 or 24V dc/dc converter, when a wide input range module could accommodate both voltages in one single unit.
The series' input range of 4:1 is primarily for use in radio-base stations equipment but not limited to. The PKM5000D is also suitable to power industrial applications using remote peripheral equipments powered through long-wires, very similar to remote feeding traditionally used in radio-base stations. Because of its performance and features, the PKM5000D is also suitable for applications such as transportation, test equipment, process control and others.
Because it is based on a standard quarter-brick footprint, when designers are upgrading existing 48 or 24V boards to match 'single code boards' to cover both system voltages, without redesign the PKM5000D can replace 2:1 input dc/dc converters, accommodating both voltages in one 'single code module'.
At 120W, Ericsson says the PKM5000D offers 20% more power than current similar products available on the market that deliver 100W. With a half-load efficiency figure of 91.8% at 27V input voltage and 89% at 53V input voltage, the converter is suitable for ultra-wide input range products.
By using external resistors, the converter's output voltage can be adjusted in the range of 10.8 to 13.2V, and the standard product is delivered with a remote-control that complies with negative logic, with positive logic available as an option.
Protection levels include over temperature, over current limit and over voltage, while for safety the PKM5000D has a galvanic input to output isolation of 1500V.
Ericsson's PKM5000D is based on a multi-layer pcb integrated transformer technology, and its power train and secondary synchronous-rectifiers have been optimised to accommodate switching parameters to meet the very specific constraints inherent to an ultra-wide input range.