The company has introduced its BMR481 DC-DC converter to address the growing need for higher energy efficiency levels in data centre and cloud computing. It has an input range of 40 to 60V targeting 48 to 54V nominal supplies, and a programmable 0.5 to 1.35V output. The 12 x 27.7mm ‘main’ module provides a maximum output current of 70A and also incorporates a digital interface for monitoring, configuration and control purposes. This unit can be supported by up to five additional ‘satellite’ modules, resulting in a total current rating that reaches 420A.

The single-stage converter is an alternative to the conventional two-stage intermediate bus converter (IBC) and point of load (POL) architecture. It does not need the extra conversion step which takes up space and impacts operational performance, says the company.  This first generation Direct Conversion module is a more streamlined and economical solution, according to the company. It is capable of achieving up to 92% efficiency from a 1V output at 53V in. This is claimed to be two to 3% higher than what an equivalent IBC-based deployment can deliver. It also allows a reduction in board area of up to 50%. MTBF is in excess of 8.7Mhrs for the main module.     

Automatic enabling and disabling of phases/satellite modules depending on the required load, optimises efficiency. There is also dynamic voltage adjustment to provide optimum supply rails to connected ICs. Output ripple and noise is low, typically 1mV p-p, due to the zero voltage/zero current switching employed. Load and line regulation are typically kept to just 1mV.

At 53V input and 0.5V output, the full 70A output current is available from the main module to over 75°C ambient temperature with 0.5m/s airflow and to over 90°C with just 2m/s airflow.

Full digital control is implemented with a PMBus v1.3 interface compliant with PMBus or AVS / SVID. Isolation is rated at 1500VDC (functional).