What is Pulsiv OSMIUM technology?

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What is Pulsiv OSMIUM technology?

Using a patented switching technique, Pulsiv has developed an entirely new method for converting AC to DC that delivers a combination of game changing benefits in power electronics designs. Our unique technology has extended the range of conventional flyback topologies to replace expensive LLC solutions, whilst achieving an unrivalled efficiency profile.

To simplify the design process, we offer:

  • Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontrollers which implement our patented switching techniques
  • Front-end circuit configurations that include a Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller and supporting components for a complete AC to DC front-end design
  • Evaluation boards for rapid development of power supplies that use a Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller and front-end circuit configuration
  • Reference designs offering a complete solution by combining a Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller, AC to DC front-end design and carefully selected DC-DC converter
  • Expert design support to assist in optimising the technology for various applications
  • Tutorial videos providing an overview to various topics and compliment supporting documentation.

Pulsiv OSMIUM provides a scalable platform for engineers to reduce size, improve energy consumption and optimise cost when designing a power supply for virtually any mains powered or battery charging application.

99.5%
Front-End Peak Efficiency
97.5%
Front-End Average Efficiency
90%
Low Power Efficiency at 2W
0
Inrush Current Eliminated
180W
Single-Switch Flyback
350W
Interleaved Flyback
85V – 265VAC
Input Voltage Range
95%
Commodity Components
0.96
Power Factor
42-45kHz
Switching Frequency

How does Pulsiv compare to conventional technology?

Existing Methods

  • Typically consist of a Boost PFC + LLC topology which uses a high intermediary voltage (400V)
  • Designed to deliver maximum efficiency & high power factor
  • Use a series inductor to pull a sinusoidal current from the grid
  • Suffer inefficiencies at low loads as the series inductor is designed for peak efficiency at maximum output
  • Require a large storage capacitor rated at 400V
  • Contribute to energy waste in household appliances often referred to as “Vampire Devices” that consume energy in low-power or standby modes.

 

Pulsiv Method

  • Uses a new and patented switching technique based on an active valley-fill approach
  • Optimises the charging current and valley voltage
  • Manages the AC to DC conversion process with a parallel capacitor
  • Stores only enough energy to ride through the period where the grid cannot support the load
  • Discharges the capacitor using a simple diode in the follow-on DC-DC converter
  • Achieves 0.96 power factor
  • Delivers 99.5% front-end efficiency
  • Improves flyback efficiency*, reduces transformer size and lowers cost
  • Extends the range of conventional flybacks to 180W with universal mains input

*A Pulsiv OSMIUM front-end reduces the peak operating voltage in the design of a flyback. As a result, efficiency is improved because the primary side inductance is reduced, leakage inductance is lowered, and the total available winding area is increased.

 

 

 

Delivering a unique combination of benefits

Unrivalled Efficiency Profile From Low Power to Full Load

Our technology offers significantly higher efficiency levels than conventional designs, exceeding the industry standards by up to 20%. Regardless of whether a device is in standby mode, running at full power or anywhere in-between, the power supply remains efficient and reduces the amount of energy wasted.

Replace LLC Designs with Flyback Technology

Our unique approach has extended the range of efficient flyback designs by significantly reducing losses and improving overall energy consumption. When a flyback design is paired with Pulsiv OSMIUM technology, it can replace conventional LLC designs to deliver a flat efficiency profile and reduce size/weight/cost.

Improved Thermal Performance for Higher Reliability

In a Pulsiv OSMIUM design, critical components operate at temperatures far lower than conventional power supplies. This reduces component failures and extends expected life time, even under convection cooling.

Inrush Current Eliminated

By regulating the flow of mains to the charging capacitor, Pulsiv has become the first company in the world to completely eliminate inrush current. Inrush current limiting methods are no longer required, saving space and component cost. End systems can benefit from a simplified design, reduced wiring and faster installation.

Scalable Platform

The Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller does not directly determine the output power. This enables manufacturers to develop a range of products using a single architecture by simply changing a small number of key components.

Seamless System Integration

AC to DC front-end circuit configurations combine a Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller and the necessary supporting system components. Full power supply reference designs combine an AC to DC front-end circuit configuration with a carefully selected DC-DC converter.

Additional Features & System Optimisation

Pulsiv OSMIUM technology offers a number of additional features and can be further optimised for a variety of power levels, applications and specifications including:

Use of premium components
Whilst many of the supporting system components selected by Pulsiv have been optimised for cost, engineers are free to choose alternatives (E.g. GaN or SiC) if efficiency and/or size take priority in the design.

Optimisation of magnetic components
Magnetic components are responsible for most of the losses in a conventional power supply design. While basic winding materials can be used to minimise cost, engineers can choose litz wire, a more complex transformer construction and advanced core materials to improve efficiency and/or reduce size.

Replacing a synchronous rectifier
In certain designs, the Pulsiv OSMIUM technology can enable the use of interleaved flybacks which include low cost schottky diodes to replace the synchronous rectifier. This further improves reliablity while reducing cost.

Simplified designs for power supplies <50W
For many low power applications that do not require PFC, we can offer a simplified AC to DC front-end circuit configuration using low cost transistors to maintain a high and flat efficiency profile.

Suitable for variable load applications
Flyback designs are more resilient to dramatic load variations and offer greater reliability when compared to a resonant LLC in applications such as televisions and dimmable lighting.

Withstand high voltage mains input
By optimising a number of system components, the Pulsiv architecture is able to withstand high input voltage levels.

Compatible with a range of DC-DC topologies:

  • Flyback*
  • Forward
  • LLC**

* Pulsiv recommends the use of Single-Switch, Interleaved, QR, Hybrid, Active Clamp & Frequency Controlled flyback topologies.
**An LLC will need to be designed to operate with a large voltage gain between 3 – 5.


Quick Links

Pulsiv OSMIUM Microcontrollers

Our range of intelligent microcontrollers implement the Pulsiv OSMIUM patented switching techniques, manage power factor correction (PFC) and regulate the output to support a wide range of compatible DC-DC converters. It maintains a flat efficiency profile over the full load range and complies with strict EMC/THD regulations.

All Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontrollers are combined with commodity system components to produce AC to DC front-end circuit configurations which support a variety of different features and power levels. Once a circuit configuration has been chosen, development engineers can integrate a suitable DC to DC converter to produce a complete power supply design.

Pulsiv OSMIUM Microcontrollers

AC to DC Front-End Evaluation Boards

The Pulsiv OSMIUM AC to DC front-end evaluation board allows engineers to quickly evaluate our new power conversion technology for any application up to 250W. It supports universal input and can be adapted to test various circuit configurations. Simply connect a suitable DC-DC converter on the HVDC output to produce a complete power supply prototype.

Full AC to DC Power Supply Evaluation Boards

We are currently developing a range of full AC to DC power supply evaluation boards to demonstrate our technology in a complete end-to-end solution which includes an AC to DC front-end circuit configuration and a carefully selected DC-DC converter.

Evaluation Boards

Reference Designs

Reference designs deliver a complete end-to-end solution that combine a Pulsiv OSMIUM microcontroller, AC to DC front-end circuit configuration and a carefully selected DC-DC converter. Developed for both general purpose and specific applications, they can be adopted without making any changes or further modified according to the needs of the end product.

Pulsiv OSMIUM reference designs are offered in two formats. A paper reference design provides a proven foundation for customers to adapt according to cost, size or performance requirements and suitable for general purpose applications. A full reference design additionally includes a complete PCB layout with EMI test data.

Reference Designs