Ericsson's world beating design replaces two IBC bricks with just one for performance & cost benefit

Designed for absolute maximum power density and high efficiency, Ericsson Power Modules’ PKM4402NG is an intermediate bus converter (IBC) useable with a narrow input range, and is the first in the world to provide up to 660W in a quarter brick package. The extreme high power density (475W/cubic inch) of the PKM4402NG packs two quarter bricks into the space of one, providing twice the power compared to previous generation of IBC products on the market. Accordingly OEMs and end users save board space, design time and purchase costs by using just one quarter brick where previously two were required.

The PKM4402NG is optimized for use as an IBC by customers using a non-battery backup, nominal 48V input system. With a 38-55V input range, the PKM4402NG is also completely n+1 parallelable without external circuitry.

Suitable application areas for the PKM4402NG include computing, storage area networks, industrial computers, routers and blade servers. The device’s high efficiency increases system reliability and reduces lifetime costs.

Factors driving the demand for this type of product are the increasing use of intermediate bus architecture and the more common use of point of load (PoL) devices. Here, the IBC improves the overall system efficiency and decreases the cost compared to using a ‘standard’ regulated DC/DC converter.

Where a traditional isolated converter at its best provides 92-93% efficiency and up to 17-18A at 12Vout, these latest IBC devices from Ericsson have figures up to 97% efficiency and 63A, at all input voltages. This high efficiency figure is not ‘just a number’, it reduces the total cost of ownership, and importantly these days, it contributes to reduce global energy consumption, which is part of Ericsson Power Modules’ design for environment (DfE) program.

The best in its class in terms of power density, the PKM4402NG is the latest addition to Ericsson Power Modules extensive IBC program that includes the recently launched wide input range quarter bricks and the soon to be launched eighth and sixteenth bricks for both 36-75Vin and 38-55Vin. Additionally, Ericsson also has a low cost IBC program for applications with lower power needs - below 300W.

This truly state-of-the-art product has been designed using the most advanced technology available on the market. This, combined with the innovative use of different topologies that are optimized for maximizing the efficiency, led to this world record breaking design for power density.

The high output current up to 63A provides the user with unprecedented available power levels at all line and load conditions even when the full input range is utilized.

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

Patrick Le Fèvre, Marketing Director
Ericsson Power Modules AB
Phone: +46-8-568 695 07
Fax: +46-8-568 695 99

Reader Inquiry reference:
Press Release Reference: E0077(A)
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About Ericsson Power Modules
Ericsson Power Modules is a supplier of world-class DC/DC power modules for distributed power architectures. With its global design, development, manufacturing and sales network Ericsson Power Modules is a leading supplier of power solutions to meet the customer demand for high performance.