Choosing Power Architectures Wisely

摘要

Engineers must address a broad range of requirements when they design power supplies for computers, servers and other equipment. Diverse issues, from a processor's power-regulation requirements to the number of power cords, may dic- tate the choice of specific "power architectures." Better understanding these architectures and their associated tradeoffs will help in choosing the best one for an application. "Architecture" refers to the arrangement of power-system components and the division of power-related tasks. Most power supplies provide three functions: They convert AC to DC, they isolate the input from the output, and they regulate the output voltage or current. Some power architectures combine all three functions in one unit — think of the power supply in a desktop PC. Other architectures, however, may need additional isolation or regulation for a specific circuit. Given those needs, manufacturers divide power-conversion products into three general classes: AC/DC power supplies, isolated DC/DC converters and non-isolated DC/DC converters (See Table 1).