Revolutionary advances in distributed power systems

Rising power demands and increasing number of supply voltages required in modern communications and computing systems are driving advancements in distributed power architectures. Primary-side isolated 48 V power modules have matured with single and dual-outputs (+3.3 V and +5 V) achieving ultra-high density and greater efficiency. Secondary-side PWM controllers have evolved to higher frequency and efficiencies and are giving way to yet another distributed power concept, the quasi-regulated +12 V single-output power module. Several power module manufacturers are now offering this new +12 V brick driven by demands from the system OEMs. In this paper we explore ever changing distributed power architectures, integrated PWM circuitry and new distributed power supply topologies that are enabling new information infrastructure systems.