DC-DC converters:
DC-DC converters have received a lot of attention recently with more people adopting photovoltaics for RV’s, campers and even cars. The US in particular that has great conditions for photovoltaics are leveraging them in many applications. One use is in recreational vehicles where users camp off-grid. Currently due to the middle class being squeezed into either the working class or higher class many are adjusting accordingly.
The higher class utilize DC-DC converters for solar roofing solutions on properties to keep up with socio-ethical requirements while recreational vehicle owners use DC-DC converters for photovoltaic cells that are either mounted on their roof as ridged or flexible solutions, or portables. Note, while some are homeless many prefer the RV lifestyle with the different being defined as preference. In any case these are great days to supply DC-DC converters with market growth reflecting these changes.
Second Generation DC-DC converters:
Recently new second generation DC-DC converters have become popular. There novel properties include directly converting from a 48V supply to the specified load voltage. Current devices are able to achieve a ~91.3% efficiency with a 53V input to 0.8V output. This is approximately 2-3% better than existing alternatives. While this does not sound like much it is critical for applications such as solar where a typical solar cell will achieve ~11% efficiency.
An additional benefit is that these devices take up half the space of first-generation equivalents due to no intermediate stage required. A main unit converter is available as small as 30mm x 12.7mm x 16.8mm; that’s tiny and yields a max output of 110A!
What if this isn’t good enough for your application? Well 5 satellite modules that are of a comparable size can be used to increase the current output to 660A. These can be joined automatically to the main DC-DC converter module making solution integration easy.
Currently these DC-DC devices are being adopted by internet of things (IoT) due to their high efficiency and small size. Applications include wearable sensors, fitness and health, security and the list go on. These devices are essentially small isolated sensors that need to communicate with the rest of the solution, however need to be powered and operate independently. Smaller DC-DC converters will allow for smaller more efficient devices that will help extend the performance of the device.
The Future:
It is likely that we will see DC-DC converters grow in usage due to sustainable practices being considered in all walks of life. Second generation DC-DC solutions are already being integrated into servers for better performance and it is likely that these will be soon rolled out to other more conventional applications. This will mean not only better efficiencies for which is the key selling point but also the small sizes involved should reduce the size and weight of mobile modules.
These types of DC-DC converters may provide promising potential in electric car systems. A small change in efficiency will mean extending the miles of an electric car. Furthermore DC-DC converters in automotive systems need to be sealed causing heat challenges; if the same technology can be integrated in these systems with the same size reductions exhibited then passive cooling technologies could be improved for the same size of charging module.
Currently robotics and drone sectors are looking for more performance and smaller footprint DC-DC converters. This is particularly necessary for self-powered small form-factor devices such as solar or wind powered devices that collect sea garbage or house cleaning automated robots. High altitude drones that are solar powered could also utilize this technology to increase payload capacity. Irrespective of usage these next generation DC-DC converters will help provide systems that can be smaller and run for longer.