Vicor Corporation
Encyclopedia
Vicor Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power components, power management and complete power systems based upon a portfolio of patented technologies. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts, Vicor sells its products primarily to customers in the higher performance, higher power segments of
the power systems market, including aerospace and defense electronics, enterprise and high performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, and vehicles and transportation markets.
Company Video: The Challenges Behind Power.
DC-DC Components
Regulators,
Current Multipliers,
Bus Converters,
Intermediate Bus Converters,
DC-DC Power Supplies,
DC-DC Filters,
AC-DC Power systems,
AC-DC Filters and Front Ends,
Configurable and Custom Power Solutions, and
Military Cots products
In addition to an international network of sales representatives and distributors, Vicor maintains offices worldwide. Applications engineers based at these offices answer technical questions and travel the globe helping customers with component-based power system design.
Modular Power Converters
Since 1998, Vicor has introduced four families of its second-generation of high-power density, component-level DC-DC converters. In 1998, the 48-volt input family was introduced, which was designed for the telecommunications market, as well as for distributed power systems. In 1999, this was followed by two additional families: a 300-volt input for offline (rectified 115 or 230 volts ac) and distributed power applications, and a 375-volt input specifically designed for use in power factor corrected systems. In 2001, a 24-volt input family was added to the standard second-generation product line to address additional telecommunications, industrial and defense market opportunities. The Vicor Design Assistance Computer was introduced for general use in 2000. It is a system which enables the Company's customers to specify online, and verify in real time, the performance and attributes of second-generation DC-DC converters.
Configurable Products
Most process control, information technology and industrial electronic products operate directly off of alternating current (AC) lines. Offline power systems require front-end circuitry to convert AC line voltage into DC voltage for the core converters. The Company's offline AC/DC products incorporate a set of modular front end sub-assemblies to offer a complete power solution from AC line input to highly regulated DC output. The product selection includes a low-profile modular design in various sizes and power levels, and a choice of alternatives to conventional box switchers. Voltage and power levels can be either factory or field configurable. Generally this approach using modular modules rather than discrete components is expensive and the series has never been accepted into the mainstream. Competitors are XP Power and also Emerson which both use discrete designs which offer much lower costs although with larger form factors.
Many telecommunications, defense and transportation electronic products are powered from central DC sources (battery plants or generators). The Company's DC-DC power system choices include a low-profile modular design similar to the corresponding AC/DC system and a rugged, compact assembly for chassis-mounted, bulk power applications.
In February 2001, Vicor introduced the VIPAC family of power systems, a new class of user defined, modular power solutions. VIPAC is a new type of integrated power system leveraging the latest advances in second-generation DC-DC converter technology and modular front ends. The Web-based Vicor Computer Aided Design, similar in concept to VDAC, can be utilized by the customer to specify and verify, in real time, that customer's desired VIPAC configuration. As the VIPAC does not have active power factor correction it is unsuited to the bulk of applications in europe that require active power factor correction to meet EN61000-4-5. Competitors in this area are TDK-Lambda, Emerson and XP Power.
Factorized Power Architecture Products
In April 2003, Vicor announced the introduction of a new power system architecture based on an array of power conversion technologies called Factorized Power Architecture (FPA). Factorized Power maximizes the competitiveness of a power system with a high degree of systems flexibility, power density, conversion efficiency, transient responsiveness, noise performance and reliability.
In May 2003, Vicor introduced the first family of products based on this technology, 48-volt to 12-volt Bus Converter Modules (BCM) for conventional Intermediate Bus Architecture applications. In July 2003, Vicor introduced its first VoI Chip Voltage Transformation Module (VTM). VTMs are designed to meet the demands of advanced digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, processor cores and microprocessor applications at the point of load while providing isolation from input to output. In January 2004, Vicor announced the availability of the first members of its 48-volt Intermediate Bus Converter Modules (IBCs). The IBC family consists of 10 fixed-ratio standard models with nominal outputs from three to 48-volt DC delivering up to 100 amperes or 600 watts. Additional VTM and BCM products were introduced throughout 2004.
In 2005, the Company completed the matrix of 48-volt VoI Chips: the 36- to 75-volt input Pre-Regulator Module (PRM), which can operate from the wide DC input voltages normally encountered in telecommunications systems and the complete line of VTMs compatible with this PRM. In addition, several VoI Chip specialty products were designed for and delivered to specific customers for them to evaluate for use in potential applications where VoI Chips can enable significant market advantages. Prototypes of the first PRM for the military/defense COTS market were also delivered.
Accessory Power System Components
Accessory power system components, used with the Company's component-level power converters, integrate other important functions of the power system, facilitating the design of complete power systems by interconnecting several modules. In general, accessory products are used to condition the inputs and outputs of Vicor's modular power components.
In 1998, Vicor doubled the power capability of its component-level AC front end, the VI-ARM (AC Rectifier Module). This front-end product includes a microcontroller that tracks the AC line to ensure correct operation for domestic or international line voltages. In addition, two accessory products for the 48-volt input second-generation family were introduced in 1999: the FiltMod for input filtering and the IAM48 for transient and spike protection. In 2005, the High-Boost HAM (Harmonic Attenuator Module) was introduced.
Many of Vicor AC-DC modular products were developed before the requirement for Power Factor Correction became law in he european union - products such as ARM, FARM, FLATPAC are therefore most suited to applications where they are not powered from utility supply but rather from generators, boats , aircraft or other mobile/military appplication. Of the power factor corrected modules HAM has been successful but derates its output power at low line voltage making a discrete design a better option.
In 2003, Picor introduced two new families of products, the QPO (QuietPower-Output Ripple Attenuation SiP) and QPI (QuietPower-12 Amp Active EMI Filter for DC-DC Converters). The QPO performs a similar function to the ?RAM in a smaller, lower-cost surface mount package. Different QPO models allow customers to solve output noise problems. The QPI filters unwanted electro-magnetic interference (EMI) from the input supply bus.
In 2004, the QPI product line was expanded to include products targeted at 24-volt industrial and military COTS voltage bus supplies.
In 2005, Vicor introduced the QPI-8, a System-in-a-Package device designed to integrate the total hot-swap function with an active EMI filter.
In 2006, Vicor introduced Several Mid-Power Micro Modules, EMI filters and it's High Voltage, High Denisty V*I Chip based bus converters.
In 2007, Vicor introduced supplies for transportation and military applications.
In 2008, Vicor introduced VI Brick Producta AND Active ORing Redundant Power isolating diode.
In 2009, Vicor announced it's Factorized Power products were being used by IBM in their Power6(R)
and Blue Gene (Blue Gene Wiki entry)
supercomputers.
In 2010, Vicor introduced the PFM VU Brick an isolated AC-DC converter with Power Factor Correction.
In 2011, Vicor introduced a family of Intermediate Bus Converters in industry standard packages (the first time Vicor delivered their Sine Amplitude Converter technology in this form factor. The company claims 98% Conversion Efficiency with this technology.
These companies are
Aegis Power Systems
aegispower.com »
Convertec Corporation
convertecpower.com »
Freedom Power Systems
freedompower.com »
Granite Power Technologies
granitepower.com »
Mission Power Solutions
mpwrs.com »
Northwest Power Integrations
npi-inc.com »
Quality System Certification: ISO 9001: 2008
Certificate Registration Number: 951 00 0665
Date Issued: December 23, 2009
This certificate is valid until: November 30, 2011
Registrar: TUV SUD America Incorporated
The Company competes with Lambda Electronics, Tyco International
, Ltd., Artesyn Technologies, Astec Power, Power-One, Inc., C&D Technologies, Inc and XP Power Inc
the power systems market, including aerospace and defense electronics, enterprise and high performance computing, industrial equipment and automation, telecommunications and network infrastructure, and vehicles and transportation markets.
Company Video: The Challenges Behind Power.
Products
, the "Vicor" product offerings include the following:DC-DC Components
Regulators,
Current Multipliers,
Bus Converters,
Intermediate Bus Converters,
DC-DC Power Supplies,
DC-DC Filters,
AC-DC Power systems,
AC-DC Filters and Front Ends,
Configurable and Custom Power Solutions, and
Military Cots products
Awards and Recognition
Top performing MA company in the industrial segment and #5 company all MA segments for 2010 per the Boston Globe.Manufacturing Facilities
Power components are manufactured using highly automated processes in Vicor's ISO 9001 registered facilities in Andover, MA.In addition to an international network of sales representatives and distributors, Vicor maintains offices worldwide. Applications engineers based at these offices answer technical questions and travel the globe helping customers with component-based power system design.
History
Vicor Corporation, incorporated in 1981, designs, develops, manufactures and markets modular power converters, power system components and power systems using a patented, high-frequency power conversion technology designated zero current switching. Vicor also manufactures and sells complete configurable power systems, accessory products and custom power solutions.Modular Power Converters
Since 1998, Vicor has introduced four families of its second-generation of high-power density, component-level DC-DC converters. In 1998, the 48-volt input family was introduced, which was designed for the telecommunications market, as well as for distributed power systems. In 1999, this was followed by two additional families: a 300-volt input for offline (rectified 115 or 230 volts ac) and distributed power applications, and a 375-volt input specifically designed for use in power factor corrected systems. In 2001, a 24-volt input family was added to the standard second-generation product line to address additional telecommunications, industrial and defense market opportunities. The Vicor Design Assistance Computer was introduced for general use in 2000. It is a system which enables the Company's customers to specify online, and verify in real time, the performance and attributes of second-generation DC-DC converters.
Configurable Products
Most process control, information technology and industrial electronic products operate directly off of alternating current (AC) lines. Offline power systems require front-end circuitry to convert AC line voltage into DC voltage for the core converters. The Company's offline AC/DC products incorporate a set of modular front end sub-assemblies to offer a complete power solution from AC line input to highly regulated DC output. The product selection includes a low-profile modular design in various sizes and power levels, and a choice of alternatives to conventional box switchers. Voltage and power levels can be either factory or field configurable. Generally this approach using modular modules rather than discrete components is expensive and the series has never been accepted into the mainstream. Competitors are XP Power and also Emerson which both use discrete designs which offer much lower costs although with larger form factors.
Many telecommunications, defense and transportation electronic products are powered from central DC sources (battery plants or generators). The Company's DC-DC power system choices include a low-profile modular design similar to the corresponding AC/DC system and a rugged, compact assembly for chassis-mounted, bulk power applications.
In February 2001, Vicor introduced the VIPAC family of power systems, a new class of user defined, modular power solutions. VIPAC is a new type of integrated power system leveraging the latest advances in second-generation DC-DC converter technology and modular front ends. The Web-based Vicor Computer Aided Design, similar in concept to VDAC, can be utilized by the customer to specify and verify, in real time, that customer's desired VIPAC configuration. As the VIPAC does not have active power factor correction it is unsuited to the bulk of applications in europe that require active power factor correction to meet EN61000-4-5. Competitors in this area are TDK-Lambda, Emerson and XP Power.
Factorized Power Architecture Products
In April 2003, Vicor announced the introduction of a new power system architecture based on an array of power conversion technologies called Factorized Power Architecture (FPA). Factorized Power maximizes the competitiveness of a power system with a high degree of systems flexibility, power density, conversion efficiency, transient responsiveness, noise performance and reliability.
In May 2003, Vicor introduced the first family of products based on this technology, 48-volt to 12-volt Bus Converter Modules (BCM) for conventional Intermediate Bus Architecture applications. In July 2003, Vicor introduced its first VoI Chip Voltage Transformation Module (VTM). VTMs are designed to meet the demands of advanced digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, application specific integrated circuits, processor cores and microprocessor applications at the point of load while providing isolation from input to output. In January 2004, Vicor announced the availability of the first members of its 48-volt Intermediate Bus Converter Modules (IBCs). The IBC family consists of 10 fixed-ratio standard models with nominal outputs from three to 48-volt DC delivering up to 100 amperes or 600 watts. Additional VTM and BCM products were introduced throughout 2004.
In 2005, the Company completed the matrix of 48-volt VoI Chips: the 36- to 75-volt input Pre-Regulator Module (PRM), which can operate from the wide DC input voltages normally encountered in telecommunications systems and the complete line of VTMs compatible with this PRM. In addition, several VoI Chip specialty products were designed for and delivered to specific customers for them to evaluate for use in potential applications where VoI Chips can enable significant market advantages. Prototypes of the first PRM for the military/defense COTS market were also delivered.
Accessory Power System Components
Accessory power system components, used with the Company's component-level power converters, integrate other important functions of the power system, facilitating the design of complete power systems by interconnecting several modules. In general, accessory products are used to condition the inputs and outputs of Vicor's modular power components.
In 1998, Vicor doubled the power capability of its component-level AC front end, the VI-ARM (AC Rectifier Module). This front-end product includes a microcontroller that tracks the AC line to ensure correct operation for domestic or international line voltages. In addition, two accessory products for the 48-volt input second-generation family were introduced in 1999: the FiltMod for input filtering and the IAM48 for transient and spike protection. In 2005, the High-Boost HAM (Harmonic Attenuator Module) was introduced.
Many of Vicor AC-DC modular products were developed before the requirement for Power Factor Correction became law in he european union - products such as ARM, FARM, FLATPAC are therefore most suited to applications where they are not powered from utility supply but rather from generators, boats , aircraft or other mobile/military appplication. Of the power factor corrected modules HAM has been successful but derates its output power at low line voltage making a discrete design a better option.
Summary of Product Announcements 2002 - 2011
In 2002, the MicroRAM (Ripple Attenuator Module) (RAM) was introduced. This product performs a function similar to the VI-RAM product in a smaller package at a lower price.In 2003, Picor introduced two new families of products, the QPO (QuietPower-Output Ripple Attenuation SiP) and QPI (QuietPower-12 Amp Active EMI Filter for DC-DC Converters). The QPO performs a similar function to the ?RAM in a smaller, lower-cost surface mount package. Different QPO models allow customers to solve output noise problems. The QPI filters unwanted electro-magnetic interference (EMI) from the input supply bus.
In 2004, the QPI product line was expanded to include products targeted at 24-volt industrial and military COTS voltage bus supplies.
In 2005, Vicor introduced the QPI-8, a System-in-a-Package device designed to integrate the total hot-swap function with an active EMI filter.
In 2006, Vicor introduced Several Mid-Power Micro Modules, EMI filters and it's High Voltage, High Denisty V*I Chip based bus converters.
In 2007, Vicor introduced supplies for transportation and military applications.
In 2008, Vicor introduced VI Brick Producta AND Active ORing Redundant Power isolating diode.
In 2009, Vicor announced it's Factorized Power products were being used by IBM in their Power6(R)
POWER6
The POWER6 is a microprocessor developed by IBM that implemented the Power ISA v.2.03. When it became available in systems in 2007, it succeeded the POWER5+ as IBM's flagship Power microprocessor...
and Blue Gene (Blue Gene Wiki entry)
Blue Gene
Blue Gene is a computer architecture project to produce several supercomputers, designed to reach operating speeds in the PFLOPS range, and currently reaching sustained speeds of nearly 500 TFLOPS . It is a cooperative project among IBM Blue Gene is a computer architecture project to produce...
supercomputers.
In 2010, Vicor introduced the PFM VU Brick an isolated AC-DC converter with Power Factor Correction.
In 2011, Vicor introduced a family of Intermediate Bus Converters in industry standard packages (the first time Vicor delivered their Sine Amplitude Converter technology in this form factor. The company claims 98% Conversion Efficiency with this technology.
Custom Power Designs
Vicor accepts custom power supply business through its partner companies that it calls Vicor Custom Power Design Centers's which are separate standalone business units that integrate the extensive Vicor product range.These companies are
Aegis Power Systems
aegispower.com »
Convertec Corporation
convertecpower.com »
Freedom Power Systems
freedompower.com »
Granite Power Technologies
granitepower.com »
Mission Power Solutions
mpwrs.com »
Northwest Power Integrations
npi-inc.com »
Quality System
Quality System Certification: ISO 9001: 2008
Certificate Registration Number: 951 00 0665
Date Issued: December 23, 2009
This certificate is valid until: November 30, 2011
Registrar: TUV SUD America Incorporated
The Company competes with Lambda Electronics, Tyco International
Tyco International
Tyco International Ltd. is a highly diversified global manufacturing company incorporated in Switzerland, with United States operational headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey...
, Ltd., Artesyn Technologies, Astec Power, Power-One, Inc., C&D Technologies, Inc and XP Power Inc