According to reports from Electronic Enthusiasts (by Wu Zipeng), with the acceleration of electrification and intelligence in automobiles, the 48V power system has transitioned from the technical exploration stage to large-scale application in the automotive field. The 48V system reduces current by increasing voltage, effectively minimizing cable losses while supporting more efficient energy management. However, the application value of the 48V system is not limited to the automotive sector; there is also strong demand in AI and data centers, communication networks, industrial automation, and energy storage.
The widespread application of the 48V system across multiple industries highlights its comprehensive advantages in energy efficiency, safety, and compatibility. To assist various industries in better utilizing 48V power technology, Vicor has recently launched the new DCM3717 and DCM3735 DC-DC power modules to align with the growth trend of power distribution networks (PDN) centered around 48V.
Significant Advantages of the 48V Power System
Before the advent of the 48V system, traditional 12V architectures were commonly used in automotive, industrial, and data center fields. The rise of the 48V power architecture stems from its disruptive transformation of the traditional 12V system. Firstly, the 48V power system can provide higher energy efficiency and stronger power output capabilities. Under the same power conditions, the current in a 48V power system is reduced, thereby minimizing I²R losses. For example, data centers using a 48V direct supply solution can achieve efficiencies exceeding 95%, while traditional 12V bus losses can be as high as 18%. Additionally, with a higher voltage, the 48V power system can output greater power. The 48V architecture can easily drive AI servers with over 5kW, motor drive systems under 800V automotive high-voltage platforms, and the high power demands of multi-joint industrial robots. In the automotive 800V platform, 48V serves as the “golden hub” connecting the power battery and onboard equipment.
Secondly, the 48V power system is more conducive to heat dissipation design and miniaturization. The 48V system can reduce I²R losses, and at the same power level, the current of the 48V system is only one-fourth that of the 12V system. This low-loss characteristic can reduce heat generation, thereby simplifying heat dissipation design. Meanwhile, the low current characteristics of the 48V system allow for the use of thinner and lighter wires, significantly reducing cable weight and material costs.
Furthermore, the 48V power system offers flexible compatibility and scalability. On one hand, the 48V power system can flexibly support bidirectional conversion between 48V and 12V, allowing traditional 12V loads to gradually migrate to the 48V architecture, thus protecting existing investments; on the other hand, the 48V bus can be expanded through parallel modules to meet the needs of different scenarios.
Tom Curatolo, Director of Application Engineering at Vicor’s Industrial Division, stated that as a leader in 48V power architecture, Vicor provides a diverse range of product solutions for 48V power systems to assist customers in building flexible power conversion solutions.
As shown in the figure, Vicor can provide high-voltage to 48V modules, 48V to load voltage modules, and 12V and 48V compatible conversion modules. Among them, the high-voltage to 48V module can convert 800V/400V to a stable 48V bus, suitable for new energy vehicles and industrial high-voltage equipment; the 48V to load voltage module can flexibly output 24V/6V/3.3V, adapting to diverse equipment needs and reducing multi-stage conversion losses; the 12V/48V compatible module adopts a bidirectional conversion design, facilitating a smooth upgrade from traditional 12V systems and reducing equipment renewal costs.
Vicor’s 48V module product lineup, image source: Vicor
Vicor Launches New DC-DC Converter Modules
The newly launched DCM3717 and DCM3735 DC-DC power modules from Vicor strongly support the growth trend of power distribution networks (PDN) centered around 48V. These new modules feature outstanding product performance, including high power, high efficiency, high power density, and support for PMBus.
Vicor’s new DC-DC converter modules, image source: Vicor
In terms of high power, these non-isolated regulated DC-DC converters have an input voltage range of 40-60V and can produce adjustable regulated outputs from 10V to 12.5V. The DCM3717 series offers two power options of 750W and 1kW, while the DCM3735 is prepared for 2kW devices. These two new DCM products can be paralleled to quickly expand the system’s power level.
Regarding high efficiency, these DCM products have peak efficiencies exceeding 96%. Among them, the peak efficiency of the DCM3717 is 96.5%, while that of the DCM3735 is 96.4%.
In terms of high power density, Tom Curatolo pointed out that Vicor’s new 48V DC-DC converter modules have industry-leading power densities of up to 5kW/in³. This allows power system designers to deploy high-performance 48V power distribution networks for traditional 12V loads, achieving significant advantages in size, weight, and efficiency. As shown in the figure, compared to competitors, Vicor’s new 48V DC-DC converter modules have a power density that is over 10 times that of competitors, achieving an exponential improvement.
Comparison of Vicor DCM new products and competitors, image source: Vicor
Tom Curatolo believes that the excellent performance of Vicor’s DCM new products in power density is attributed to the company’s long-term accumulation in power module technology, covering switching technology, power topology, packaging technology, and more. These new DCM products utilize a 5.2mm thin SM ChiP™ surface mount package, which has excellent thermal adaptability, simplifying the design of thermal management systems.
At the same time, Vicor’s new 48V DC-DC converter modules also facilitate a smooth transition from traditional 12V to 48V systems. They can be used in conjunction with Vicor’s BCM® high-voltage fixed ratio bus converter series to convert high voltage (800V and 400V) to 48V. Once a 48V bus is established, Vicor’s DCM products can efficiently convert 48V to regulated 12V.
Currently, the DCM3717S60E13G5TN1 (750W) and DCM3717S60D13K0TN1 (1000W) are available for supply, while the DCM3735S60D13L0TN1 (2000W) will be launched later this year.
Conclusion
As the demand for energy efficiency and system integration continues to grow, the 48V power architecture, with its breakthrough performance advantages, is gradually becoming a core technology choice in fields such as automotive, data centers, and industrial automation. Vicor’s newly launched DCM3717 and DCM3735 DC-DC power modules not only provide efficient solutions for 48V power distribution networks with industry-leading power density of 5kW/in³, efficiency exceeding 96%, and flexible PMBus control capabilities, but also achieve a smooth upgrade from traditional 12V systems through modular design, significantly reducing equipment renewal costs. As 48V technology accelerates its penetration into AI servers, 800V high-voltage platforms, and energy storage scenarios, Vicor, supported by innovative power conversion technology, is driving various industries towards a more efficient, compact, and sustainable future.
Disclaimer: This article is original from Electronic Enthusiasts, please indicate the source above when reprinting. For group communication, please add WeChat elecfans999, for submission of interview requests, please send an email to [email protected].
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