Several years ago Google suggested an open standard for desktop PC power supplies with a single 12V rail instead of multiple rails. The point was the higher buss voltage the higher overall PC PSU efficiency.
This year Google power designers are going to present at DesignCon 2013 their strategies for reducing energy losses in servers, including DC-DC regulator architectures as well as higher voltage distribution. Google apparently is going to make a case that higher distribution voltage levels improve overall conversion efficiency. Obviously, raising the buss voltage will lower conduction losses. On the other hand, switching losses in downstream DC-DC regulators will increase. In addition to this, you will need to use higher voltage MOSFETs whose characteristics generally degrade with their rated voltage. That's why it will be interesting to see their experimental results and conclusions on optimal distribution level.
January 6, 2013
November 3, 2012
Recall of Champion Portable Generators Sold at Costco
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall of about 8,600 portable generators manufactured by Champion Power Equipment, of Santa Fe Springs, CA. The cause of the recall is gasoline can leak from the generator's carburetor, posing a fire hazard. There have been 11 reports of fuel leaking from the generators, including eight reports of the generators catching fire. The recalled model numbers are 41332 (8250 watt) and 41532 (9000 watt). These models were made in China and sold at Costco.
October 29, 2012
Hurricane Sandy- Interactive Map with Latest Information
Google has created an interactive map for Hurricane Sandy. You can zoom in the map, select a location and find the latest information on the storm location, forecast track, shelter addresses, power outages, and other related data. Just check or uncheck options in the layers menu. You can also switch between a map and a satellite view. And if you lost power, remember- never run a portable generator indoors and in direct rain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
