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IN THIS ISSUE:
» Measuring Loop Response Of Regulators With Inaccessible Feedback Resistor
» Non-Inverting Integrators Are Not Really Integrators (Part 2)
» Dickson Architecture And Novel Switching Techniques Enhance Charge Pump Benefits
» Focus On Magnetics:
Power Magnetics Component Roundup
» Industry Event: CMSE 2025
» Power Products
» New on How2Power.com
» Other Top Power News
From the Editor's Desk David G. Morrison
Editor, HOW2POWER TODAY
With their ability to support compact, high-frequency designs with high efficiency, and their repeatability in production, planar magnetics can be especially valuable in space applications. Two of the presentations at the recent CMSE conference reviewed their benefits for space and other harsh environments, while also discussing the design and manufacturing processes, and tests and screening procedures that ensure device reliability when developing planar transformers for space. One of these talks also looked at a variation on the standard planar component that substitutes magnet wires, foils or stampings for pc board traces in a “hybrid” planar design that promises further efficiency gains. As space applications continue to grow, planar magnetics are likely to see greater use, for many reasons. As Jim Marinos of Payton Planar observes, “their simplicity, reliability and proven performance in space” are key drivers of their adoption. Plus, “more designers are now familiar with planar magnetics, and once they use them they continue using them.” Another component area that garnered some attention at this conference was supercapacitors. As with planar magnetics, these devices offer size advantages for space as a result of their high power density. However, there are issues to be addressed such as their performance limitations at high and low temperatures, and their potential to replace some batteries, if greater energy density can be achieved. Two talks at CMSE described how new electrode materials are addressing these issues, thereby extending the promise of supercaps in space as well as many terrestrial applications. For more on these developments in planar magnetics and supercaps, see my report below on CMSE 2025. Those interested in the planar magnetics discussions may also appreciate this month’s Power Magnetics Component Roundup, a collection of recent magnetic component news. Please enjoy these and other articles in this issue of How2Power Today.
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HOW2POWER EXCLUSIVE DESIGN ARTICLES 
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Measuring Loop Response Of Regulators With Inaccessible Feedback Resistor
by Adam Huff, Xu Zhang and George (Zhijun) Qian, Analog Devices, San Jose, Calif.
For a power supply to be stable, a certain gain and phase margin is needed. The conventional approach of making Bode plot measurements is preferred for its simplicity, assuming the user has access to the top feedback resistor. But how can the loop response be measured when the top feedback resistor is inaccessible within a molded module? And how is the loop response measured when a device does not require a top feedback resistor and instead uses an output voltage sense pin? In this article, we present variations on the conventional loop response measurement method, which use the same instrument but with some changes in the connection to the regulator and (in one case) some simple additional circuitry. Read the article…
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The novel loop measurement technique
adds a parallel resistor divider network
and the perturbation signal is applied
across a resistor between the bottom
feedback resistor and ground. |
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Example response for a
non-inverting integrator. |
Non-Inverting Integrators Are Not Really Integrators (Part 2)
by Gregory Mirsky, Design Engineer, Deer Park, Ill.
The first part of this series dedicated to different types of integrators described the standard inverting integrator circuit and a variant with phase correction. Through analysis, it was shown that inverting integrators (with or without phase correction) are real integrators because their amplitude-frequency characteristics are down sloping at a constant rate unlimitedly, assuming there are no parasitic parameters. Now, it is time to review non-inverting integrators, which are widely promoted as proposed integrator solutions and draw some conclusions about their integrating abilities. Read the article…
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Dickson Architecture And Novel Switching Techniques Enhance Charge Pump Benefits
by Soojin Chung and Jason Ngai, pSemi, San Jose, Calif.
The charge pump or capacitor divider is increasing in popularity in high-efficiency power conversion, particularly for slim, low-profile, battery powered applications. This article explores the use of multiple capacitor division ratios on the same IC device. It also introduces a feature that allows dynamic and seamless transitions between the ratios, depending on the external circuit environment. By considering various battery-powered architectures, we show how the charge pump offers significant advantages and how the ability to dynamically transition between ratios extends the system run-time. This article focuses on specific technologies used in pSemi voltage regulators. As such, it analyzes operation of the Dickson charge pump architecture and the company’s novel “adiabatic” or lossless switching of the charge pump. Read the article…
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In addition to explaining key aspects
of pSemi’s charge pump design, this
article explores how multiple divider
ratios in the same IC can be applied
in real product examples. |
FOCUS ON MAGNETICS
Sponsored by Payton Planar Magnetics
A monthly column presenting information on power magnetics design, products, or related technology |
Power Magnetics Component Roundup
by David G. Morrison, Editor, How2Power.com
Over time, automotive grade is looking more and more like a standard feature among off-the-shelf magnetic components such as the power inductors and chokes reported in this roundup. But adding to this trend is the introduction of numerous inductors for a specific automotive application—power over coax (POC). The familiar vendors have recently unleashed to market a number of POC inductors in various current ratings and sizes. Another common attribute among power inductor offerings is shielding and many of the recent introductions highlight the novel use of materials and device construction to yield lower magnetic field radiation. Other notable products covered in this feature include dual-winding power inductors, a CM and DM choke employing integrated magnetics, a high-power planar magnetic module for the dual active bridge and gate-drive transformers for 500-V systems.
Read the article…
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INDUSTRY EVENT
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CMSE 2025: Planar Magnetics And Supercapacitors Offer Advances For Space
by David G. Morrison, Editor, How2Power.com
At the recent Components for Military & Space Electronics conference (CMSE 2025), which was held October 29-May 1 in Los Angeles, discussions on capacitors and magnetics continued, with two topics getting special attention in the program—planar magnetics and supercapacitors. Both topics are compelling for military and space applications because of the requirements for components that can handle high power in compact form factors. This article presents highlights from four talks at CMSE 2025 which explored both the benefits of these component technologies as well as the recent advances relevant to space and military systems. Read the full story…
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POWER PRODUCTS |
Frenetic Electronics’
Frenetic AI design assistant. |
AI Design Assistant Takes Power Converter Designs From Specs To Simulation In Minutes
 Screenshot: Users enter electrical specs for their power supply project. The tool can then either search for an off-the-shelf power supply, or suggest a power supply topology. In the latter case, Frenetic AI will create the power supply design, automatically generating a schematic, BOM, and simulation files, and then running simulations.
See the full story…
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Infineon Technologies’ family of
rad-hard GaN transistors. |
Chipmaker Adds Rad-Hard GaN Transistors Including JANS-Certified Device
Photo: These GaN HEMT devices include what’s described as the first in-house manufactured GaN transistor to earn JANS certification. This is a 100-V HEMT with an on-resistance of 4 mΩ typ. and total gate charge of 8.8 nC, and which is screened to 500-krad TID.
See the full story…
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Polaris Semiconductor’s white paper
on its voltage regulator technology. |
Paper Describes High Efficiency Linear Regulators With Buck And Boost Capability
Photo: This technology retains the low-noise, simplicity and low component count advantages of a linear regulator, but can achieve much higher efficiency and boost capability. The technology is also rad hard.
See the full story…
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Power Integrations’ RDK-994Q and
other reference designs and
design example reports. |
Reference Designs Demonstrate Benefits Of 1700-V Switcher ICs In 800-V BEVs
Photo: Spanning power levels from 16 W to 120 W, five reference designs based on the 1700-V InnoSwitch3-AQ flyback switcher ICs implement power converters for dc-dc bus conversion, inverter emergency power, battery management and power supplies for auxiliary systems in 800-V battery electric vehicles.
See the full story…
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NEW ON HOW2POWER.COM
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Calendar of Events — Over 400 Listings For 2025
HOW2POWER’s Events Calendar lists selected conferences, tradeshows, workshops and webinars related directly or indirectly to power electronics. Our calendar currently lists over 400 of the electronics industry’s top events for 2025.
Visit this section …
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Navitas Semiconductor is collaborating with NVIDIA on their next-generation 800-V HVDC architecture to support “Kyber” rack-scale systems powering their GPUs.
Danisense has opened a new sales office in Shanghai, China to be closer to the Asian market and to support its growing Asian customer base.
Vicor’s collaboration with Chinese Tier 1 Hongfa Electroacoustic will move automotive active suspension from a luxury feature into mid-class vehicles as early as 2026.
Volvo Trucks has now delivered more than 5,000 battery-electric trucks to customers in 50 countries.
ECCE 2025 will feature Luminaries Special Sessions on October 21, 2025 honoring Dushan Boroyevich, emeritus professor at Virginia Tech and Bruno Lequesne, E-Motors Consulting.
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