Ericsson introduces duo of isolated eighth-brick DC/DC converters delivering world-leading efficiency

Ericsson today announced the launch of a pair of DC/DC converter modules in eighth-brick formats that are able to handle currents of up to 40A and deliver world-leading efficiency. Enabling reduced energy and cooling costs, these two modules are the most efficient 40A-class eighth-brick-format power modules in the industry: 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. Competitive products will typically dissipate approximately 8% more power at a full load of 40A when compared to the PKB4211D, or even more when compared to the PKB4110D.

The two new modules 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. Designed for distributed power architecture systems, they meet the needs of a wide range of ICT applications including telecommunications and networking, servers and storage systems, and industrial equipment.

Offering 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.

“The excellent thermal properties of these modules deliver high-power conversion across a wide input voltage range, while keeping power losses low,” said Martin Hägerdal, Head of Ericsson Power Modules. “This results in highly efficient power conversion of more than 95%, delivering exemplary performance and high reliability in applications that feature limited airflow.”

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 many 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, thereby providing flexibility for board assembly. The modules have been designed and manufactured by Ericsson to meet the highest standards available for DC/DC power converters. They deliver the levels of quality and confidence required by power system designers to develop long-term and high-performance platforms.