Pulsiv has designed, developed, and patented a new AC to DC conversion method which maximises efficiency across all load profiles and delivers a unique combination of benefits in power electronics designs. Pulsiv OSMIUM technology offers a new AC to DC front-end topology which can be paired with industry standard Flybacks, Forward Converters, and Asymmetric Half Bridge solutions up to 250W with higher power levels currently under development.
Interview with Nick Theodoris, Director of Global Sales & Distribution at Pulsiv.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Nick Theodoris: We provide engineers with a new method of developing power electronics designs for virtually any application based on our unique and patented AC to DC front-end topology. Pulsiv OSMIUM technology is delivered through industry standard semiconductors with application optimised reference designs available to download on our website.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
N.T: We will shortly be releasing a number of reference designs & assembled modules for USB-C applications that will deliver an average efficiency of more than 95%. This ground-breaking achievement which maximises efficiency under all operating conditions, has been developed in collaboration with GaN leaders Innoscience and magnetics experts Frenetic.
Designs will be released throughout 2024 to support a new class of sustainable USB-C chargers, adapters, and in-wall sockets with the first 65W solution due to be released towards the end of March 2024.
The front-end of the design utilises Pulsiv OSMIUM technology to efficiently manage the AC to DC conversion process with zero inrush current and no input voltage derating. Using an intelligent active valley fill approach, this patented method also enables the use of smaller system components compared to conventional designs. The DC-DC converter in the 65W variant is based on an industry standard QR flyback, however, when combining a Pulsiv OSMIUM front-end design with optimised magnetics from Frenetic, it is now possible to use an EQ20 core which provides a 20% reduction in the Flyback Transformer size.
To accelerate and simplify the design process, three options will be offered:
- Reference Designs
Complete reference designs will be made available on the Pulsiv website where engineers can download a document package that includes a Schematic, Altium files, Bill of Materials, EMC Test Data, Gerbers, and PCB Layout Files.
- Evaluation Boards
Evaluation boards will be developed for customers who wish to test and/or adapt the design for their own requirements.
- Finished Modules
Fully assembled, ultra-compact, and EMC compliant finished modules will be produced by Pulsiv to demonstrate a size optimised design and enable rapid prototyping. They can also be easily integrated into end products without incurring any further design, development, or manufacturing costs.
A roadmap of designs from 65W to 240W can be found on our website.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
N.T: Pulsiv OSMIUM technology offers engineers the flexibility to develop power electronics designs for virtually any application up to 250W.
We provide:
- Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontrollers to intelligently manage the AC to DC conversion process, manage power factor correction (PFC), and regulate a high-voltage DC output to support a wide range of compatible DC-DC converters
- Pulsiv OSMIUM evaluation boards enabling engineers to quickly evaluate our front-end AC to DC power conversion technology
- Pulsiv OSMIUM Finished Modules that are fully assembled, ultra-compact, and EMC compliant modules to demonstrate a size optimised design and enable rapid prototyping.
- AC to DC front-end circuit configurations can be paired with suitable DC-DC converters while full reference designs have been optimised for specific applications to simplify the design process.
Our immediate plan is to showcase the benefits of our unique technology in USB-C designs while longer term, we aim to do the same for other applications including LED Drivers, Consumer Products, DC Motors, and Industrial Power Supplies.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
N.T: The electronics market is very stable and one that rarely suffers from any major global influences. Engineers remain highly focused on developing new products which utilise the very latest technologies and deliver benefits for the end user. Regulations also force change, while sustainability and meeting green agendas will continue to be a driving factor in key sectors. This will provide ongoing opportunities in a market which is expected to continue growing significantly over the next decade.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
N.T: The global power electronics market will continue seeing growth fuelled by ongoing changes to regulations, introduction of new technologies such as our own, and surging demand for IoT/AI. Based on our own research, vertical markets such as USB-C, LED Lighting, TV/Monitors, DC Motors, and Data Centres are all expected to grow significantly over the next 7 – 10 years. Thankfully, Pulsiv OSMIUM technology delivers game changing benefits in the development of next generation products in these sectors where efficiency, size, and cost remain the priority.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
N.T: Pulsiv OSMIUM technology was invented by the founder Dr Zaki Ahmed and in our opinion, delivers the most ground-breaking innovation the power electronics sector has seen in decades.
Intelligence has been applied to a conventional valley fill approach for AC to DC power conversion that delivers a unique combination of benefits:
- A totally unique and flat efficiency profile from 10% – 100% load
- Inrush current & input voltage derating eliminated
- A significant increase in overall average efficiency
- Improvements in critical magnetic components
- Enables the replacement of LLCs with a Flyback to 180W
- Improved thermal performance for higher reliability
Further gains can be seen in the lowering of energy waste, reduction in size, and optimisation of cost. Moreover, it can be applied to virtually any application and compliments the use of GaN.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
N.T: Pulsiv will shortly release a 65W USB-C reference design and assembled modules that will deliver more than 95% efficiency and reduces the Flyback Transformer size by an impressive 20%. In what promises to be the world’s most efficient + compact design, it will showcase the benefits of using Pulsiv OSMIUM technology with an industry standard QR Flyback and is perfect for the next generation of sustainable USB-C chargers, adapters, & in-wall sockets.
We expect this world-leading design to project Pulsiv onto the main stage as a true innovator and future market leader of game-changing power electronics technology for a sustainable future. We see collaborations as key part of our strategy and we’re looking forward to working with more companies who are motivated to deliver innovative power electronics designs.