Ericsson introduces duo of isolated eighth-brick DC/DC converters

Ericsson has launched a pair of DC/DC converter modules in eighth-brick formats that are able to handle currents of up to 40A and that have been design to help reduce energy and cooling costs. Both are claimed by the company to be the most efficient 40A-class eighth-brick-format power modules currently available.

The PKB4211D and PKB4110D deliver respective efficiencies of up to 95.3% and 94.7%, with tightly regulated 5V and 3.3V outputs at 50% load.

Both modules are intended to target high-end and high-power applications that are powered by multi-cell batteries or rectifiers, commonly used in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) industry and have been designed for distributed power architecture systems.

The modules offer a wide voltage input range from 36V to 75V, the PKB4211D delivers up to 200W output power with a 5V, 40A output, and the PKB4110D provides up to 132W with a 3.3V, 40A output. Both are available in an industry-standard DOSA-compatible five-pin eighth-brick footprint with dimensions of 58.4 x 22.7mm and low-profile height of 9.6mm.

A key feature of the PKB4000 series is its ability to deliver higher usable power in high ambient temperatures and environments with limited airflow. The PKB4211D can deliver full power of 5V at 40A in an ambient temperature of 70°C with 200 LFM (linear feet per minute) airflow in an open-frame unit with no baseplate. The module can also deliver the same load in an ambient temperature of 80°C with 200 LFM airflow with optional heatsink.

In addition, the open-frame version of the PKB4110D provides full power, delivering a 3.3V 40A output at 80°C with 200 LFM airflow and at 85°C with 200 LFM airflow with a baseplate. While use of the modules’ optional baseplate offers improved thermal performance, the units can also be connected to a heatsink or cold plate.

Offering an MTBF (mean time before failure) of 9.33 million hours, the modules meet safety requirements according to IEC/EN/UL 60950-1 and offer input/output isolation of 2250V DC. The series also includes protection features including: output-over-voltage protection (OVP), input-under-voltage shutdown, over-temperature protection (OTP), output short-circuit protection, and monotonic start-up and remote control capability.

Both units are available in through-hole and surface-mount versions, providing flexibility for board assembly.