Technical articles
Low Intensity Light Detection Requires High Stability, Low Noise Electronic Circuitry
Source: XP Power
When it comes to low intensity light detection, performance requirements often lead to selecting devices with greater sensitivity than common photodiodes or even charge coupled devices (CCDs). Specialized detectors such as avalanche photodiodes (APDs), photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and microchannel plates (MCPs) are often employed for these more precise applications. High sensitivity devices bring with them a set of electronic design considerations needed to maximize the performance
potential of the system.
Applications requiring sensitive light detection include spectroscopy, radiation detection, night vision, laser rangefinders, long-range fiber-optic telecommunication, blood analyzers, positron emission tomography and particle physics, to name but a few. These devices convert incoming light into an electronic signal via the photoelectric effect, whereby electrons are ejected when photons strike a photosensitive surface. The photosensitive surface is frequently held at high voltage potential, usually from around 100V up to about 6000V depending on the device, and commonly at negative voltage potential.
System integration of baseplate cooled converter modules, or ‘bricks’
Source: Gary Bocock
Technical Director at XP Power
Baseplate cooled power converter modules, also known as bricks, provide building block power solutions for integration into end equipment. These high-density power solutions are ideal for rugged outdoor sealed enclosures, transportation and defence applications, where their rugged construction and conduction cooled properties are beneficial, and in high-density forced air cooled applications where the benefits of the compact size can be realised.
They also provide the building blocks for low-risk bespoke power solutions designed either by the end equipment designer using support and application notes from the manufacturer, or by the module manufacturer itself using the proven, reliable module as a base for low development cost, low-risk custom solutions with accelerated time to market.
The powerful impact of protecting future LED lighting applications, including improved growth of animals, plants and algae
Jade Bridges describes some interesting applications of LEDs and looks at how modern protective compounds and thermal management materials are enhancing the performance and prolonging the life of LED lighting units exposed to challenging indoor and outdoor environments, with positive powerful results.
It is hard to ignore the phenomenal growth of the LED market, spurred on by new applications, advertisements for energy saving and company policies to switch to more efficient lighting systems. In conjunction with the design freedom and application possibilities now offered by the technology, LEDs are predicted to take almost a 70% share of the lighting market and be the most commercially viable lighting technology by 2020.
A New Generation of Conformal Coatings for Challenging Operating Environments
Electrolube’s Phil Kinner discusses the evolution of tougher, more environmentally friendly conformal coating materials that have been formulated to cope reliably with the rigours of modern electronics deployments.
Modern electronic assemblies are increasingly expected to survive hostile operating environments and work reliably in conditions of prolonged high temperatures in the presence of thermal shock and high humidity, and where the assembly may be subject to condensation, corrosive agents or other types of chemical attack. Despite this, weight-saving measures have reduced the robustness – and therefore the protective properties - of enclosures and at the same time, environmental legislation continues to limit the use of those considerably more versatile solvent-based protective materials.
Updates to Legislation Drive External Power Supplies’ Efficiency
Source: Gary Bocock,
Technical Director at XP Power
As concern for carbon emissions grows, most countries have introduced legislation to regulate the efficiency of external power supplies (EPS), so that as little as possible of our natural resource is wasted. This legislation encourages power supply manufacturers to introduce EPS models with higher efficiency and lower no-load power consumption and, by gradually tightening the limits on these figures, governments and regulatory bodies around the world are effectively driving the power supply industry to produce more energy efficient products.
Minimizing the Impact of Source Resistance on High-Voltage DC to DC Converters
Source: XP EMCO
A primer for system designers
Resistance between a low-voltage power supply and the input terminals of a DC to HV-DC converter results in not only power-loss but reduced long-term reliability in the converter. The impact of source resistance to a converter is measured using XP EMCO A-Series models. Design guidelines are given to minimize reliability impact due to source resistance.
Designing for reliability in high voltage applications
Source: Mike Doherty, Vice President,
High Voltage Products, XP Power
High voltage design and manufacturing comes with an additional set of disciplines that must be applied in order to produce products with excellent long term reliability, often in harsh environments. As high voltage power supplies become increasingly compact and miniaturized, mastering these disciplines is essential to ensure long term and trouble-free operation in the field. Failure to properly apply these design and manufacturing principles can result in real-world MTBF’s well below design expectations.
Next-Generation, Miniature High Voltage Power Modules
Source: XP EMCO
The first generation of high voltage power modules changed the way designers could use high voltage, and the next-generation is pushing the envelope further.
XP EMCO next-generation, miniature high voltage power modules provide designers and end-users ever-expanding choices for off-the-shelf, drop-in miniature solutions to meet their high voltage needs.
The next-generation of high voltage power modules features more watts per cubic inch, reduced power consumption with the addition of smart features for control and safety. As the number of applications requiring high voltage grows, reliable operation with size and weight limits present tough challenges. This white paper describes XP EMCO’s solution to these challenges.