UG:003

vicorpower.com

Applications Engineering: 800 927.9474

Page 1

The Customer Evaluation Boards described in this document are intended to acquaint you with the

benefits and features of a Factorized Power Architecture (FPA

in end-use equipment.

Please read this document before setting up a Customer Evaluation

Board.

During operation, the power devices and surrounding structures can be operated safely at high temperatures.

• Remove power and use caution when connecting and disconnecting test probes and interface

lines to avoid inadvertent short circuits and contact with hot surfaces.

• When testing electronic products always use approved safety glasses. Follow good laboratory

practice and procedures.

Introduction

A Factorized Power Architecture offers a fundamentally new and improved approach to distributed

power. Factorizing DC-DC power conversion into its basic functions – isolation and transformation on the

one hand and output voltage control and regulation on the other – and arranging those functions in a

sequence maximizes power system performance and cost effectiveness. VTM modules put isolated current

multiplication and voltage division directly at the Point of Load (POL), and an upstream PRM

non-isolated regulator controls the Factorized Bus voltage supplied to the VTM to provide line and load

regulation. With this architecture, the Factorized Bus voltage can be relatively high; distribution losses can

be minimized with narrower copper traces; and the PRM may be located at any convenient location, either

adjacent to or remote from the VTM. PRMs operate from a wide variety of input sources to drive VTMs.

VTMs are extremely fast and quiet and provide voltage division ratios as high as 32. VTMs enable the user

to efficiently supply up to 100 A from each full VI Chip package at regulated output voltages as low as 0.8

Vdc or higher, as needed.

With FPA, only a VTM is needed at the POL. VTMs, unimpeded by serial inductance, feature very high

bandwidth and extremely fast transient response, allowing energy to be stored efficiently at the relatively

high Factorized Bus voltage. Without bulk capacitors at the POL, precious board real estate may be

reclaimed for essential functions. The density, efficiency, performance, cost-effectiveness, and architectural

superiority of FPA make it the least intrusive form of distributed power and facilitate the development of

more advanced, competitive products.

The PRM may be used as a standalone non-isolated regulation stage, whereas the VTM is intended to be

used with a PRM. For customers to evaluate these components, special Customer Boards are available. To

obtain one of these boards, simply append the chosen PRM or VTM part number with "-CB".

Contents

Page

Introduction

1

Board Overview

2

Recommended

3

Hardware

Initial Set Up

4

Baseline Test

4

Procedure

VTM-CB

7

The DC-DC

8

Converter Chip Set

Ordering

9

Information

USER GUIDE | UG:003