Power Electronics / Power Management


Power system for low voltage military, avionics, and space applications said to be most efficient

31 May 2006 Power Electronics / Power Management

A new power system, claimed to be the most efficient DC-DC distributed standard power solution available to satisfy the unique requirements of military, avionics, and space applications, is available from Eagle Technology.

The new HERO (high efficiency, reliability optimised) Power System combines an isolated, high efficiency, high power DC-DC converter with a set of new, small-size point-of-load DC-DC converters in a complete system to power low-voltage devices. The result, claims the company, is a new power system that delivers more power, with military-grade reliability, while requiring less space and cost than any high reliability solution previously offered for these demanding applications.

For anyone with a critical reliability application, such as an aircraft, blended systems often require expensive custom modifications and extensive testing cycles to satisfy reliability standards. The compact HERO solution is said to be easily configurable, off-the-shelf, and built specifically to meet the extensive reliability and performance needs of users in military, avionics, and space areas.

Previously, says Eagle Technolgy, multiple DC-DC converters or a combination of converters and linear regulators would be used to deliver the low voltages needed to power digital power boards. However, these components in combination can be extremely inefficient and result in significant power loss during the conversion process. Additionally, off-the-shelf linear regulators are usually not built to the extremes required for military/aerospace applications and can experience reduced system reliability.

A more efficient solution

The HERO Power System is a complete DC-DC power system in which all modules are available to military and avionics specifications including temperature range, hermeticity, and screening. It consists of two modules: the DVHE DC-DC power converter, and the DVPL point-of-load converter, a non-isolated, synchronous, buck-regulated converter that steps down the voltage at the point of end use. Multiple DVPLs can be powered from a single DVHE.

The DVHE delivers 50 W (10 A) in a standard hermetic case at more than 90% efficiency. Engineers can use a single DVHE to power multiple low voltage devices instead of deploying multiple DC-DC converters.

All modules are available to MIL-PRF-38534 standards for use in critical reliability applications. The DVHE delivery of high power results in the need for fewer modules and fewer interconnects, which inherently increases system reliability. Fewer modules means space needed on a board and less cost.

All modules in the HERO Power System operate within the military temperature range of -55-125°C with no derating of either input voltage or output power. The system's high power, reliable performance, and smaller space enable engineers to produce a more efficient power design overall.

For more information contact Henry Haynes, Eagle Technology, +27 (0)21 423 4943, [email protected]



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Power efficiency and robustness in electronics design
Power Electronics / Power Management
Mouser Electronics recently announced a new eBook in collaboration with Analog Devices highlighting essential strategies for optimising power systems.

Read more...
USB Type-C-powered controllers
Future Electronics Power Electronics / Power Management
Diodes Incorporated has released two USB Type-C PD 3.1 extended power range sink controllers that can be embedded into battery-powered devices.

Read more...
Multicell battery monitoring
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The LTC6811 from Analog Devices is a multicell battery stack monitor that measures up to 12 series connected battery cells with a total measurement error of less than 1,2 mV.

Read more...
Full telemetry in tiny DC-DC converters
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
The FS160* series of µPOL DC-DC converters from TDK all offer full telemetry, provide increased performance, and are remarkable for extraordinary power density in the smallest sizes.

Read more...
Power IC supplies 1650 W
EBV Electrolink Power Electronics / Power Management
Power Integrations has announced a two-fold increase in power output from the HiperLCS-2 chipset with the new device now being able to deliver up to 1650 W of continuous output power.

Read more...
High-voltage step-down DC-DC converter
Altron Arrow Power Electronics / Power Management
The MAX17793 is a high-efficiency, high-voltage, synchronous step-down DC-DC converter with integrated MOSFETs operating over an input voltage range of 3 to 80 V.

Read more...
High-voltage contactors
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK Corporation has announced two new additions to its high-voltage contactor portfolio for harsh environments: the HVC43MC with integrated mirror contact and the HVC45 with enhanced short-circuit current handling capability.

Read more...
Chokes rated at 36 A
RS South Africa Power Electronics / Power Management
TDK Corporation has launched the EPCOS SurfIND series, a new range of current-compensated ring core double chokes for high currents and surface mounting.

Read more...
RF arrestor provides robust protection
RFiber Solutions Power Electronics / Power Management
NexTek’s range of coaxial RF surge and lightning arrestors are designed and built to provide robust protection for any radio or coaxial RF transmission application.

Read more...
Wide-Bandgap Developer Forum 2025
Power Electronics / Power Management
To give designers the ultimate in design flexibility, the entire range of WBG power semiconductors will be provided including discretes, modules, and highly integrated solutions ranging from 40 V to 700 V for GaN and 400 V to 3,3 kV for SiC.

Read more...