Outwitting the Catch-22 of Power Architecture Design With GE BoostLynx

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Sep 22, 2016) -  Space is a major concern for any power architect looking to add features and capacity to their designs. Power architects and board designers are constantly searching for ways to pack as many features and as much capacity as possible into electrical systems while also maintaining a reduced footprint. This creates quite the catch-22. GE (NYSE: GE) is helping to free up valuable space by enabling the ability to design in the negative space with its new low- and high-voltage BoostLynx DC-DC step-up converters -- also known as point-of-load (PoL) modules.

The new BoostLynx 65-watt (W) converters offer versatility to support a wide range of electronic products. The modules enable designers to step up their power from an input voltage of 8-16 volts to an output voltage of 16-34 (model ABXS002A3X41-SRZ) or 32-54 volts (model ABXS001A4X41-SRZ). GE's BoostLynx converters are well suited for applications that currently use a 12-volt bus, but have components that require higher voltages (16-52-volts). For example, in small-cell remote radio heads (RRH), components such as radio frequency power amplifiers (RFPAs) require a higher voltage than a typical 12-volt bus can provide.

In addition to powering RFPAs in small-cell applications, BoostLynx converters simplify power supply for 16-54-volt loads like actuators, solenoid valves, cameras, fans, operational amplifiers and sensors often needed in automatic test equipment, LED backlighting, surveillance equipment, low-power machinery (locks, vending machines, dispensers, fluid control), audio applications and robotics.

"As the need for increased power capacity continues to swell, board designers find themselves faced with the dilemma of where to pack in the electrical components required to power today's power-hungry applications," said Vesa Jokitulppo, senior product manager, GE Energy Connections' Industrial Solutions. "Power density becomes a driving factor when choosing components. That's why we have designed our BoostLynx converters to provide the functionality our customers desire in some of the toughest, tightest environments around." 

The BoostLynx converters can deliver full power, 65 W, in just 318 square millimeters and at temperatures of up to 85 C, making them ideal for space-constrained and conduction-cooled applications -- for example, those in thermally demanding operating conditions with little or no airflow (such as RRH). The small footprint of the BoostLynx modules enables a power density of 20.4-W per centimeter squared. In addition, GE's new boost converters help save space and cost because with the units, an isolated power stage is no longer required in the power architecture.

Additional features of the new BoostLynx DC-DC step-up converters include programmable output voltages of 16-34 volts or 32-54 volts via an external resistor and the ability to reduce the required output capacitance needed to reach target transient response with Tunable Loop* technology.

GE's new ABXS001 and ABXS002 BoostLynx converters are now available with pricing beginning at $13.17 and $12.31, respectively, at original equipment manufacturer quantities.

To learn more about how designing in the negative space can benefit your application, check out the many videos and articles in GE's education series at https://generalelectric.uberflip.com/h/c/210920-designing-in-the-negative-space. 

* Indicates a trademark of the General Electric Company and may be registered in your region.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) is the world's Digital Industrial Company, transforming industry with software-defined machines and solutions that are connected, responsive and predictive. GE is organized around a global exchange of knowledge, the "GE Store," through which each business shares and accesses the same technology, markets, structure and intellect. Each invention further fuels innovation and application across our industrial sectors. With people, services, technology and scale, GE delivers better outcomes for customers by speaking the language of industry. www.ge.com

About Energy Connections

GE Energy Connections designs and deploys industry-leading technologies that turn the world on. We transport, convert, automate and optimize energy to ensure we provide safe, efficient and reliable electrical power. Uniting all the resources and scale of the world's first digital industrial company, we connect brilliant machines, grids, and systems to power utility, oil & gas, marine, mining and renewables customers, that keep our world running. www.GEEnergyConnections.com