TOP NEWS STORIES

Dual-input, Single-output Power Supply Selector Switch Reduces System Size while Improving Integrity
By combining two inputs with a low, 200mV dropout in a compact TSOPJW package, AnalogicTech's AAT4674 and AAT4674-1 single output power supply selector switches offer high system integrity in a smaller, more integrated solution size.

USB Power Manager and Li-ion Battery Charger Delivers 700mA
Linear Technology Corp.'s LTC4098 high-efficiency power manager, diode controller and battery charger features a PowerPath control switching topology, which seamlessly manages power flow between a wall adapter or USB port and the device's Li-ion/polymer battery while preferentially providing power to the system load.

Low-cost Dual-channel Hot-plug Power Controllers
Micrel has launched the MIC2341 and MIC2342 dual-channel hot-plug power controllers that support the power requirements for PCI Express Specification v2.0 and are ideal for high performance enterprise computing network system processor boards, DDR memory boards, embedded systems and gigabit Ethernet add-in cards.

Power Integrations EcoSmart Technology Enables Compliance with New U.S. Energy Law
Power Integrations' EcoSmart technology, which enables switched-mode power supplies and off-line LED driver circuits able to meet all current and proposed efficiency specifications worldwide, is also compliant with the latest U.S. energy law—the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Freescale to Deliver Power Management IC Solution for Mobile Internet Devices
Addressing the challenges of next-generation mobile internet devices, Freescale Semiconductor is developing a high-performance audio and power management solution for Intel-based MIDs designed to efficiently manage power, enabling smaller form factors and longer battery life.

Toshiba to Launch Rechargeable Batteries
Toshiba Corp. will launch the Super Charge ion Battery, a rechargeable battery is targeted at the industrial systems market, which can also be recharged to 90% of its full capacity in less than five minutes.

Boston-Power Fuels Next Stage of Growth with Large Portable Power Venture Investment
Boston-Power Inc. has announced $45 million in new funding, which will be used to scale business development, marketing, research and development, and manufacturing operations to meet strong global demand for Sonata—the company's next-generation Lithium-ion battery technology.

Power Supplies for Industrial Applications Rated at 1.5kW
Lambda has extended its LZSa series of industrial power supplies to include 1kW and 1.5kW supplies, which feature a wide operating temperature range, compliance with MIL-STD-810E standards for shock and vibration, and the ability to operate in explosive gas environment.

IR's Integrated DC/DC Regulators Shrinks Silicon Footprint by 70%
International Rectifier's SupIRBuck family of synchronous buck voltage regulators integrates IR's HEXFET trench technology MOSFETs and a high performance synchronous buck control IC in a compact 5x6mm power QFN package, shrinking the silicon footprint by 70 percent compared to discrete solutions.

Ultra-low-noise, Low-dropout Linear Regulators Deliver 0.5A
Rated at 0.5A, Maxim Integrated Products' MAX8902A and the MAX8902B low-noise, low-dropout linear regulators are packaged in a 2x2mm TDFN, provide up to 92dB PSRR at 5kHz, 16µVrms output noise, and a low, 0.1V dropout voltage at full load.

TECHNICAL FEATURES ON POWER TECHNOLOGY

Use a TL431 Shunt Regulator to Limit High AC Input Voltage
Most switched-mode power supplies must operate at input voltages of 90Vrms to 260Vrms; some cases even use line-to-line voltages of 400Vrms, leading to increased component-voltage ratings. In such cases, it is preferable to use input-limiting circuits, allowing you to increase the input voltage without damaging the power-supply components.