Page 24 - PEN eBook February 2024

SMART ENERGY
Figure 1: Conventional vs. AmberSemi-powered power supply solution (Source: Amber Semiconductor)
In addition, the AC Direct DC Enabler IC’s inbuilt
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) allows for access to
the internal programmable registers, expanding the
IC’s capabilities and configurability. When combined
with a processing unit like a microcontroller, this type
of power-conversion solution becomes an intelligent
power-conversion solution that provides real-time
reporting on a wide variety of internal activities. ADVANTAGES OF AMBERSEMI’S
A comparison of the dimensions of a power supply
made with traditional technology and one based
on AmberSemi’s solid-state technology can be
seen in Figure 1. The new technology allows for an
improvement in power density, area occupied on the
PCB and overall volume.
The AC Direct DC Enabler product family comprises
two series supporting an extensive array of
applications:
▶ The Enabler-FX series provides engineers
with the greatest degree of flexibility when
designing systems. By utilizing external power
MOSFETs, the Enabler-FX provides designers
with the ability to optimize the device in terms
of cost, space, performance and dependability.
The internal compensation network, minimal
external topology and operational configurability
of the device all contribute to a streamlined
system design that reduces the total number of
components and system size.
▶ For maximum space conservation, the
integrated Enabler-SX provides the most
compact design solution. Power MOSFETs are
integrated into the Enabler-SX to produce a
completely integrated AC-to-DC converter
in a single, extremely compact LGA package.
The Enabler-SX offers the most compact
24 FEBRUARY 2024 | www.powerelectronicsnews.com
power delivery solution in the industry,
allowing system designers to incorporate more
features into smaller form factors for the
next generation of internet of things, artificial
intelligence of things and industrial IoT systems.
TECHNOLOGY
Besides a smaller footprint, higher power density and
configurability through the SPI interface, AmberSemi’s
AC Direct DC Enabler provides several key advantages,
such as reliability, scalability and dynamic control over
output power.
Reliability
In contrast to conventional solutions, solid-state
architecture empowers power electronics companies
to attain elevated levels of dependability and longevity.
By employing capacitors with lower voltage ratings in
comparison with conventional systems, the AC Direct
DC Enabler architecture demonstrates compatibility
with ceramic, polymer and electrolytic capacitors.
Additionally, a significantly reduced component count
contributes to enhanced sustainability and reliability.
By utilizing standard power supplies that require
up to 50% more components per kilowatt-hour of
operation, the AC Direct DC Enabler ICs reduce the
thermal and electrical strain on critical components,
thereby facilitating effective heat dissipation and
diminishing the likelihood of component failure caused
by overheating. It additionally provides the capability of
utilizing ceramic capacitors rather than electrolytics in
situations where maximum reliability is required, such
as in power supplies operating in switch mode.
Scalability
The integration of solid-state architecture and digital
SMART ENERGY
electrical management presents enhanced adaptability sustainable energy landscape by adopting solid-state
and expandability in contrast with conventional power semiconductor architecture. This benefit can be
electronics solutions. The AC Direct DC Enabler ICs obtained due to the architecture’s increased durability
feature an extensive input voltage range of and reduced component count, which eliminates the
24–277 VAC, enabling the use of a single design across necessity for replacement parts.
an extensive global product portfolio. The input
voltage independence of AmberSemi’s technology Configurability
will further enhance the utility of its products in The device’s incorporated SPI interface provides
industrial applications requiring higher voltages, where designers with the capability of configuring power-
conventional products encounter difficulties, in future conversion parameters and establishing event
designs. thresholds for protective purposes. When integrated
with a processing unit, this device produces an
Scalability and system expansion are facilitated by intelligent power-conversion solution that facilitates
the chip’s seamless integration into a wide range real-time reporting on various internal operations,
of modular and generic design architectures, which including alarm event monitoring and subsystem-load
also permits the architecture to be more dynamic data recording.
and to utilize a greater capacity of power. Utilizing
this functionality, design engineers can devise APPLICATIONS
solutions that are flexible in response to fluctuating The AC Direct DC Enabler is highly compatible
power requirements, thereby enabling the possibility with an extensive variety of electrical products, such
of reducing stock-keeping units (SKUs) for entire as doorbell cameras, thermostats, smart products,
product lines and facilitating adjustments to system appliances, intelligent HVACR and more. This innovative
architectures. technology will benefit virtually any electronic device
that operates on DC power and is supplied by AC
Dynamic control of power mains. Furthermore, this technology can be integrated
AC Direct DC Enabler ICs are considerably more with critical semiconductor components, such as
dynamic than conventional solutions due to the wireless transmitters and microcontrollers, to create
digital management of electricity. This solution one-of-a-kind AC Direct semiconductor systems. Such
facilitates enhanced control by utilizing software to systems would provide power for both housekeeping
deliver dynamic power. It achieves this by allowing for functions and external sensors from a single AC Direct
configurable output voltage ranges and automated system.
mode switching, which ultimately optimize the efficacy
of all power outputs. The main applications in which the Enabler-FX and
Enabler-SC series can be used are shown in Figure 2.
Power module companies have the potential to
proactively contribute to the transition toward a more
Figure 2: Main product applications of the AC Direct DC Enabler product family (Source: Amber Semiconductor)
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