DC DC Converters

Part Number	Description / PDF	Quantity
EPM78V2-03R3-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 3.3V	179
EPM78V1-01R8-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 1.8V	205
EPM12V1-05R5-01R0P PowerStor (Eaton)	DCDC CONV 1000MA 0.9-5.5VDC	750
EPM78V2-15R0-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 15V	204
EPM12V2-05R5-12R0N PowerStor (Eaton)	DCDC CONV 12A 0.6-5.5VDC NEG LOG	950
EPM78V2-05R0-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 5.0V	190
EPM12V2-05R5-12R0P PowerStor (Eaton)	DCDC CONV 12A 0.6-5.5VDC POS LOG	100
EPM78V2-12R0-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 12V	205
EPM78V2-06R5-01R0R PowerStor (Eaton)	SWITCH REG DCDC CONV 1000MA 6.5V	191

DC DC Converters

1. Overview

Board Mount DC-DC Converters are electronic devices that convert direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another through switching technology. They enable voltage regulation and power distribution in embedded systems, providing galvanic isolation, voltage matching, and efficiency optimization. These converters are critical in modern electronics for enabling compact designs, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring stable power delivery in applications ranging from consumer devices to industrial equipment.

2. Main Types and Functional Classification

Type	Functional Features	Application Examples
Non-Isolated Converters	Shared ground reference, high efficiency (85-95%), low cost	Point-of-load regulation in servers
Isolated Converters	Galvanic isolation (1-6kV), reinforced safety, wide input range	Medical equipment power supplies
Step-Down (Buck)	Converts higher input to lower output voltage	12V to 3.3V for microprocessors
Step-Up (Boost)	Increases input voltage to higher output levels	5V to 12V for display backlighting
Bidirectional	Supports power flow in both directions	Energy storage systems in EVs

3. Structure and Components

Typical construction includes:

Input EMI filter (common-mode choke + capacitors)
Power MOSFET/IGBT switching stage
Planar transformer (for isolation types)
PWM controller IC with feedback loop
Synchronous rectifier (for high-efficiency designs)
Output LC filter (inductor + ceramic capacitors)

4. Key Technical Specifications

Parameter	Importance
Input Voltage Range	Determines compatibility with power sources
Output Voltage Accuracy	Ensures stable power for sensitive circuits
Efficiency (Typ. 80-97%)	Impacts thermal performance and energy costs
Power Density (W/in )	Key metric for space-constrained applications
Operating Temperature	Defines performance in harsh environments
Isolation Voltage	Safety compliance for medical/industrial use

5. Application Fields

Major industries include:

Telecommunications (5G base stations, optical networking equipment)
Industrial Automation (PLCs, robotics controllers)
Medical Devices (patient monitoring systems, imaging equipment)
Consumer Electronics (gaming consoles, VR headsets)
Renewable Energy (solar inverters, energy storage systems)

6. Leading Manufacturers and Products

Manufacturer	Product Series	Key Features
TI (Texas Instruments)	LM5145	65V input, 2.5A output, 95% efficiency
Monolithic Power	MPQ4420	45V input, 2A output, 3x3mm QFN package
Vicor	DCM3114	48V to 12V, 180W, 342W/in power density
CUI Inc	VX78-1000	1000V isolation, 10W output, medical grade

7. Selection Guidelines

Key factors to consider:

Input/output voltage requirements and transient response
Load current profile (continuous vs peak demands)
Thermal management capabilities
Form factor constraints (e.g., 1/16th brick standard)
Protection features (OVP, OCP, OTP)
Compliance certifications (CE, UL, IEC 60601-1)

8. Industry Trends

Current development directions include:

Adoption of GaN/SiC wide bandgap semiconductors for >97% efficiency
Digital control loops for dynamic voltage scaling
3D packaging to achieve >500W/in power density
Integrated magnetics for reduced component count
Smart converters with PMBus interface for telemetry