High Power density DC-DC converters
- Description of the technology(ies) involved:
Power density (W/inch3) is one of the major figure of merit for comparing the DC-DC converter modules available from various manufacturers. Indigenous COTS DC-DC converter modules available from reputed power supply manufacturers in the country normally cater for continuous loads and have to be supported by bulk capacitors at output for Radar pulse load applications. The overall power densities of such configurations is limited to 20 to 30W/inch3.
The available space for the converter modules in Active Antenna Array unit (AAAU) is very small especially at higher frequency bands like X band and above. Such applications require converters with power densities in excess of 100W/inch3. Currently worldwide the highest power density converter modules are available only from limited sources with power densities in excess of 100W/inch3 and catering to Radar pulse loads.
Since a Radar system has 100’s of such critical converter modules, there is a strong need to develop such critical DC-DC converters within the country there by providing flexibility in design and to avoid sourcing and obsolescence issues during the 15 to 20 years of life cycle of any Radar system. The technology objective is to establish the state of the art technologies for realizing compact DC-DC converters for Radar pulse load applications.
Challenges foreseen for High Power density DC-DC converters
- Design & packaging of high-density converters of compact size/form-factor.
Collaboration sought for High Power density DC-DC converters
- Expertise in design & realisation of MIL-qualified compact DC-DC converters.