DC DC Converter / Power Conversion Products PCP

DC-DC converters can be used for DC conversion in mid to large-sized communications applications, and are avilable in different VDC inputs and outputs up to a maximum output e.g. 1.2kW. DC-DC converters for DC conversion in small to mid-sized communications applications are also available e.g. DC Plus ™ , Marconi and Wilmore etc. A DC-to-DC converter is a kind of power converter because it accepts a DC input voltage and produces a DC output voltage. The out put voltage is at a different level to the input. DC-to-DC converters provide noise isolation and power bus regulation. DC to DC converter circuit converts direct current from one voltage to another.

DC to DC converters are used in portable electronic devices like cellular phones / mobile phones, and laptop computers, which are supplied with power from batteries. These devices contain several sub-circuits requiring a unique voltage level different from the one that the battery supplies - higher voltage, lower voltagee, and negative voltage. Battery voltage declines as its stored power is drained. DC to DC converters generate multiple controlled voltages from a single variable battery voltage.

Conversion methods / power conversion products

A voltage divider circuit converts one voltage to another using resistors in series with the voltage supply to give a lower voltage. Unfortunately this method doesn't regulate the voltage, needs knowledge of the resitance load, is inefficient, generates only up to the supply voltage and can't generate negative voltage

Switched-mode conversion / Electronic switch-mode DC to DC converters convert one DC voltage level to another. These apply a DC voltage across an inductor or transformer for a period of timecausing current to flow through it and store energy magneticall. This voltage is then switched off and the stored energy is transferred to the voltage output in a controlled manner. Adjusting the ratio of on/off time means that the output voltage can be regulated even when current demand changes. This conversion method is more power efficient than linear voltage conversion. This circuit increases the running time of battery operated devices. Switching converters do however gererate electronic noise at high frequencies.

Isolated DC-DC converters maintaining isolation between the input and the output, while converting a DC input power source to DC output power.

A current-output DC-DC converter accepts a DC power input, and produces a constant current output with output voltage depending on the impedance of the load. The topologies of the DC to DC converter can generate voltages higher, lower, higher and lower or negative of the input voltage; their names are: Buck, Boost, Buck-boost
Inverting , Forward, Half bridge, Full bridge, SEPIC, Flyback converter, Push-pull and Cuk. DC to DC converter usually means one of these. DC to DC converters are available as integrated circuits or complete hybrid circuits, ready for use.