Ericsson has unveiled the BMR454 DC/DC converter. The converter delivers high power and features a wide input voltage range of 36 to 75V and a tightly regulated output. The BMR454 eighth-brick family delivers up to 240W with high efficiency. The product includes a PMBus interface. The parameters of the converter can be monitored via the PMBus, and can be adjusted by the customer or the company. This converter module is versatile and can be used as an IBC (intermediate bus converter) for a range of regulators. It can also be used as a traditional DC/DC module for powering applications, such as hard drives and fans. The module is suitable for communication technology applications, such as radio base stations, servers, routers and a broad range of systems that are powered by 48V DC.
The modules can be used for improved system efficiency. Output voltage and other parameters can be adjusted online to improve efficiency at specified load conditions. The output voltage can be adjusted between 8.1 to 13.2V with output tolerance of ±2%. The vital parameters, such as input voltage, output current and temperature can be monitored online. The converter offers a power density figure of more than 18W/cm2 (117W/inch2). It is pin compatible with the BMR453 and allows designers to upgrade to higher power when upgrading boards with new functionalities.
The module features high efficiency at 53V input and 12V output at full load of 20A. The module possesses high efficiency from light load to full load conditions and features a flattened power curve. For safety and reliability, the converter features 1500V DC input to output isolation figure. The modules are also offered without the PMBus connector. The module features an inbuilt digital controller. By using PMBus, the module can be configured in many combinations. The electrical parameters can be altered to meet the customer's needs. The output power that is delivered to the load is monitored through PMBus. This allows system architects to easily monitor power consumption. The power intelligence of the BMR454 and BMR453 allows a dynamic power solution to be built. This feature bridges the gap between the power supply and the system.
The module's configuration flexibility improves time to market and time to customer. A new configuration can be downloaded and implemented both at the customer's site and in a manufacturing plant. The electrical design is based on a full bridge topology into a centre-tapped half bridge topology. Both transformer and output inductor are integrated into the PCB, which combined with the selection of low thermal impedance MOSFETs can provide improved thermal performance. The combination of a built-in digital controller and PMBus interface allows the converter to be a suitable product for system integrators when considering forthcoming regulations. The module allows access to real-time information, such as output power delivered to the load and features flattened efficiency curve. The relevant information that is reported to a centralised energy management controller can be extracted. This feature simplifies for example, computer server manufacturing in order to comply with data measurement accuracy figures as specified by the US Environmental Protection Agency in the forthcoming Energy Star Computer Server specification. The three versions of the module are the BMR4540100/002, which is rated at 9V/20A, the BMR4540000/001, which is rated at 12V/20A, and the BMR4540001/001, which is also rated at 12V/20A but supplied without a digital interface.
