Power converters have gained an increasingly important role in every electronic application and robotics is no different. Today, most electronic devices integrate components that have different power requirements, both in terms of voltage and current level. This requires the introduction of power conversion stages capable of offering multiple output voltages with different power levels.
In the past, power converter stages were mainly built using ad-hoc solutions based on discrete components. Today, however, designers prefer to adopt integrated solutions which, with a single IC, perform all the tasks required by the power converter. An integrated solution provides higher reliability, better thermal management, and smaller size and weight than a solution based on discrete devices.
Power density drives mobile robot applications
(Source: Vicor Corp.)
Robotics is an example where power dense power converters prove to be an indispensable component. Robots include multiple electronic components with different power supply requirements. These include motors (both BLDC and stepper types), servo motors, processing units (microcontrollers or microprocessors), sensors of various types (accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure, temperature, humidity sensors and more), wireless interfaces for remote control and monitoring (Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.), as well as other sensors and actuators depending on the specific application. These power delivery networks can be very complicated.
Highly integrated programmable components, such as the most recent microprocessors, require very low supply voltages, while sensors and communication peripherals operate with higher voltages. Power requirements go up even more when it comes to powering electric motors. Therefore it is not that difficult to find robotics applications where 4, 5, or more different power rails are required.
In the case of small battery-powered robots, power converters capable of providing not only multiple power supplies, but also high efficiency and low power losses are required to extend battery autonomy as much as possible.
For the complete article, please visit Power Electronics News.
Advertisement
