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
TM
). They are not designed to be installed
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 tem peratures.
• 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 improve d 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 stan dalone 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".
PRM
®
and VTM
®
Customer Evaluation Boards
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
