Articles and blogs

AI seems to have ever-improving capabilities, but its use has accelerated power consumption in data centers. This blog looks at the scale of the issue and asks if this is an ultimate limit to AI capabilities.

The increase in modern data processing such as in AI, machine learning and streaming has resulted in server chips drawing peaks of supply current that can be over 1000 A. The associated power conversion modules must be closer than ever to avoid resulting voltage drops - this blog introduces Vertical Power Modules which help solve the problem.

The power ratings and conversion efficiency of voltage regulator modules are increasing, but expected size is reducing and as a result, effective heat dissipation remains a design challenge. This blog considers some cooling options in products available from Flex Power Modules.

Modern computing systems, particularly in data centers, can have a high ratio of peak to continuous power draw. DC/DC converters providing power rails can match this with continuous and peak current ratings but must be monitored closely to avoid over temperature stress.

Board mounted DC/DC converters can now be rated in kW and even with high efficiency levels, they dissipate significant power. Cross coupling of heat from loads and other components in close proximity means that prediction of the DC/DC internal temperature rise is not simple.

In modern computing systems, loads are often dynamically changing with high peak to average ratios. To reduce unnecessary costs and to save space, DC/DC converters can be specified with limited peak power ratings to cover these conditions. To avoid stress, DC/DCs must have secure over-temperature immunity.

Artificial intelligence or AI as a process is placing extra loads on datacenters, both in computing throughput and in energy consumed. As a result, provision of power with maximum efficiency is a major consideration along with power density of the power conversion hardware

For telecom and datacom centers, power requirements are always growing. More and more processing performance is being squeezed into racks, and power supplies need to keep up. Read more about these challenges and how we solve them.

In power distribution systems, use of an intermediate bus is a way to achieve a best compromise between losses and practicality. The “ideal” bus voltage has varied over the years as conversion and semiconductor technology has advanced.

There has been increasing concern about ‘halogens’ in electronics -continue to read the blog and find out more.

Powerful DC/DC solutions for robotic applications.

Mounting DC/DC power modules vertically rather than horizontally can free up board area in space-constrained applications without compromising performance. This blog looks at some options.