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manufacturers of dc/dc converter modules?

M

M. Noone

Jan 1, 1970
0
Hi - I was wondering - are there some 'better' brands when it comes to
DC/DC switcher modules? I'm looking for a pre-built plug in sort of
module, not a controller chip for such a module. I need a module that
can do about 500ma or so with an 11.1V input. I had been using TI
PTH08080W modules (http://www-s.ti.com/sc/ds/pth08080w.pdf), which are
2A adjustable vout modules, but I'm going through a board redesign and
thought I'd look for something better. As per the TI datasheet
reccomendation, I've been using 330uf electrolytics in Panasonic G
packages on both Vin and Vout on these modules. This whole assembly
(PTH08080W + 2 capacitors) takes up about 4.25 cm^2. Real estate on
this board is a very big deal, so smaller = much better.

I couldn't find any TI modules that looked any better, so I looked at
some C&D modules. Specifically, their 7805SR modules
(http://www.cd4power.com/data/meters/dms-78xxsr.pdf) look perfect. They
can output 500ma, boast 95% efficiency (though from the datasheet it
looks like I'll be more in hte 85-90% region), and take up just a bit
more space than a vertically mounted TO-220. They also say they don't
need external components. Looking at the datasheet again, the transient
response isn't as good as I'd like, but I should never have any
changing loads like that - My load should be constant within +- 5% or
so I think.

So - does this module look like an improvement? What kind of filtering
on the input and output do I need? It will be powering a number of
digital chips, one ARM micrcontroller, as well as a number of 8 bit
microcontrollers, among many others. Any other modules/brands I should
be looking at?

Thanks!

-Mike

PS sorry if this gets posted twice - google groups is being buggy as
always.
 
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