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PowerLines by Linnea Brush
March 5, 2012
Announcing Technologies "On Schedule"
Power Channels: Batteries and Portable Power, Digital Power, Energy Efficiency, Power Components, Renewable Energy, Smart Grid Power, Switch-Mode Power
When it comes to forecasting emerging technologies, there is more than simply “projecting the future.” Most forecasts are based on sales of existing or equivalent products, and that is certainly a valid starting point. But where do you go from there? How can you forecast technologies and markets that don’t even exist yet?
A key element to predicting the future is having a solid understanding of the present. This includes not just product sales, but what Darnell calls “enabling” technologies. In other words, what technologies already exist that are finally coming together in a new way to open up completely new markets? Such convergences don’t happen every day, and they are hard to predict. And when they do come together, the opportunities are frequently time-dependent. In other words, the window is suddenly open but could close (or become a bit more opaque) just as suddenly.
A market forecast has to anticipate and see all these factors converging at the right moment and then present a valid analysis of the new markets that are being produced. Identifying “emerging trends” simply means seeing them before others do. A good example is digital power, which has hit the news lately with headlines such as, “Digital Power Goes Mainstream.” A few years ago, digital control was anything but mainstream. Darnell predicted in 2006 that it would be a mainstream technology by the end of 2011. And it has, right on schedule.
Not only that, digital power has become an enabling technology in its own right. A key factor in going mainstream is bringing down the cost of the new technology. This is what Darnell used to project when digital power would become competitive with analog solutions. And it has become cheap enough that it can now be used, not only in a variety of applications, but as an enabler of other emerging technologies, such as advanced power measurement and devices being targeted for the smart grid.
Power measurement is one of those existing technologies that is difficult to implement and not necessarily needed, anyway. With energy efficiency in the limelight, however, anything that can help reduce costs is being considered. A “perfect storm” of energy efficiency trends, sophisticated IC technology, and low-cost digital control has opened up a market for advanced power measurement functions in ac-dc power supplies, for example. Such features would not have been possible even five years ago, but the opportunity is there now.
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We would like to hear your comments on the topics discussed in this column. We welcome the opportunity to publish opposing opinions. Please email Jeff Shepard at jshepard@darnell.com.
White Papers
March 11, 2013
Power Modules for Charger Applications
Sponsored by Vincotech
February 27, 2013
The Adaptive Cell Converter Topology Enables Constant Efficiency Over Universal Input AC Line in Front-End, High-Density Power Factor Correction Applications
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
February 27, 2013
From 48 V direct to Intel VR12.0: Saving "Big Data" $500,000 per datacenter, per year
Sponsored by Vicor Corp.
More White Papers
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- SiC and GaN Again a Major Focus at PCIM Europe
- PowerbyProxi Joins Wireless Power Consortium
- Vincotech and Infineon Introduce New Packaging Options at PCIM Europe
- Bosch Claims First Sub-$450 240V EV Charging Station
- Eaton and CA Technologies Join to Deliver Infrastructure Management for Data Centers
- DOE Selects Consortium to Develop Next-Generation Batteries for Automobiles
- Dana Receives Grant from NRCan to Improve Thermal Management for EV Battery Packs
- Power-One Gets $1 Billion – ABB Gets Inverters
- Renesas Adds IGBT Drivers with Micro-Isolator for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Inverters
- European Project Reports Achievements in Drive to Shape the Future of Power Microelectronics
- Bosch Claims First Sub-$450 240V EV Charging Station
- Eltek Signs Agreement with Caterpillar on Telecom Hybrid Systems
- LED Lighting Power & Dimming Controls Introduced by Phihong
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- Power-One Q1 2013 Results include 4 Cents-per-Share Loss due to Synqor Litigation
- Europeans Establish Dueling Projects to Advance Power Electronics Technologies
- Fairchild's Integrated Low-Side Gate Driver Incorporates 3.3-V LDO in 5-Lead SOT-23
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Fujitsu Components America
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: CUI Incorporated
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: EMerge Alliance
- Green Building Power Forum 2010: Anderson Power Products
- Green Building Power Forum 2009: Independence Station
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Coilcraft
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Champs Technologies
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: EXAR Corporation
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: PMBus
- Darnell's Digital Power Forum 2009: Power Plaza
Design Features
October 22, 2012
Energy Efficiency with Class D Amplifier Modules
Class-D switching amplifiers are helping audio designers create personal multimedia devices and home audio/visual systems that demonstrate how compact and stylish equipment can also deliver high sound quality and high audio output power. The key to this breakthrough, providing freedom from the large and bulky boxes housing traditional audio products, lies in the class-D amplifier’s high energy efficiency, which is typically around 90%. This allows designers to reduce or eliminate heatsinks as well as using smaller-sized PCBs and smaller components such as transformers, connectors and power supplies.
Design Features
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The Role of Hall Effect Sensors in Power Distribution Infrastructure
Power distribution units (PDUs) form an essential part of modern computing and data communications hardware. They provide multiple outputs for transferring electrical power with maximum efficiency, controlling the power capacity and safeguarding against the possible causes of supply interruption. With an ever increasing need from tech savvy consumers for higher data throughput and greater quantities of data storage capacity, as well as tough international legislation now governing CO&sub2; emissions, the demands being placed on these units are proving challenging for engineering teams to satisfy.
Product Focus
August 13, 2012
The Year in AC-DC Power Supply Technology
The past year witnessed significant new product releases, technological developments, and industry news related to the field of AC-DC Power Supply technology.