ADP1047 digital PFC (power factor correction) controller, Analog Devices Inc

The ADP1047 PMBus controller offers a flexible, digitally controlled PFC engine, accurate input power metering, and a GUI interface to simplify the adoption of intelligent power-management systems. Designed for single-phase PFC applications, the ADP1047 provides accurate input power-metering capability and inrush current control for AC/DC systems. The ADP1047 digital PFC controller is extremely versatile and easy to use, which enables designers to optimize their systems without the complex code programming required by alternative DSP (digital signal processor)-based devices. The new digital PFC controller provides typical power-metering accuracy of ±3% at full load current, with further improvements to ±1% with customer calibration. The ADP1047 offers enhanced transient response through nonlinear control algorithms, programmable inrush control to reduce start-up overstress, real-time programming to maximize efficiency, and extensive fault detection and reporting for improved reliability. The ADP1047 digital PFC controller can be frequency synchronized to eliminate beat frequency noise. Alternatively, the switching frequency spread spectrum feature can be enabled to further improve EMI.

LTC6803 multicell battery stack monitor, Linear Technology

Linear Technology’s family of multicell, high-voltage battery stack monitors are complete battery monitoring ICs that include 12-bit ADCs, precision voltage references, a high-voltage input multiplexer, and a serial interface. Parts can be connected in series, without optocouplers or isolators, to allow the monitoring of every cell in a long string of series-connected batteries. Applications include electric and hybrid electric vehicles, high-power portable equipment, backup battery systems, and high-voltage data acquisition systems.

SPV1040 solar power charger, STMicroelectronics

ST’s SPV1040 is a unique step-up DC-DC converter, tailored to be used as a solar battery charger for portable applications. The converter employs Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), an innovative technique for collecting the maximum possible energy from solar cells. The IC can be connected to strips of even just a few cells, allowing use in products such as portable healthcare devices, watches, calculators, wireless headsets, toys, or mobile phones. The battery charger and MPPT technology can also be used in equipment such as sensors and security cameras. The MPPT algorithm embedded in the SPV1040 dynamically adjusts the charger’s input impedance to ensure perfect matching with the solar cells, thereby maximizing energy transfer to the battery and dramatically improving overall system efficiency. Major features of the SPV1040 include an input-voltage range of 0.3V to 5.5V; integrated low-loss synchronous rectifier and power switch; up to 95% efficiency; shutdown pin to aid system-level power management; and thermal shutdown and protection circuitry to improve battery and overall system safety. The SPV1040 significantly increases solar charging efficiency indoors or outdoors, enabling longer mobile equipment runtime and avoiding an unexpected dead battery when a mains connection is not available.

UPS-1500-S-1U military-grade uninterruptible power supply, SynQor

SynQor’s military-grade uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units are designed for the extreme environmental and demanding electrical conditions of military/aerospace applications. SynQor’s UPS incorporates field-proven, high-efficiency designs and rugged packaging technologies. This UPS will accept a wide range of input voltage and frequency values while delivering a well-conditioned AC output to the load. Its use of lithium polymer batteries permits the lowest-profile and lowest-weight solution in its power class. It is designed and manufactured in SynQor’s US facilities to comply with a wide range of military standards. Options include a DC output and the ability to also draw power from a military-standard 28VDC input. Features include sealed, weather-proof, shock-proof construction; hot swappable internal battery pack (lithium polymer); 10-minute run-time at full power; 1250W (1500VA) output power; full power operation: -20°C to +55°C; universal AC input (80 to 265VAC, 47 to 65 Hz); power factor correction at AC input; dual input (AC and optional DC); true on-line double conversion; cold start with no AC or DC input connections; pure sinusoidal AC output voltage (115VAC, 60 Hz); handles 0.0 to 1.0 power factor loads and nonlinear loads; and communications and signal I/O port.

bq25504 boost charger for nanopower energy harvesting, Texas Instruments

The bq25504 boost charger for nano (ultra-low) power energy harvesting manages the microwatts to milliwatts of power generated from a number of sources, such as solar, thermoelectric, electromagnetic, and vibration, and stores the extracted energy in various storage elements, including Li-ion batteries and super capacitors. The bq25504 also includes circuitry to protect the energy-storage element from overvoltage and undervoltage conditions and to kick-start the system when the battery is deeply discharged. In a solar panel powering a handheld device that is operating in indoor light conditions, for example, the new boost charger increases the usable harvested energy by 30 to 70 percent compared with a linear regulator. This efficiency allows designers to reduce the size and the number of solar panels in their designs, thus reducing overall solution cost. Key features and benefits: Low quiescent current, typically 330 nA, and high conversion efficiency of greater than 80-percent maximize the energy extracted from the energy harvester; maximum power point tracking optimizes energy extracted from DC harvesters; user-programmable settings allow the boost charger IC to be used with a variety of energy sources and energy-storage elements; and low cold-start voltage, typically 330 mV, allows the bq25504 to start up from single-cell solar panels under low light.

Cast your vote here to honor excellence in engineering.

Click here to view all the 2012 ACE Awards Ultimate Products finalists.