What is it?

This is a single-phase, 400W, high-power card for our Modular Multiphase Power Supply Unit (MMPSU). It constitutes a single phase in the multiphase system. Each card simply plugs into the motherboard.

The MMPSU is a 2kW step-down power converter intended for robotics applications. It accepts a nominal 48V DC input (36V - 56V) and converts it to a variable output between 5V and 24V DC. It is capable of supplying up to 2kW output power (12V @ ~167A).

The entire MMPSU is comprised of the motherboard and one or more high-power cards.

Why did we make it?

We made the MMPSU to be a one-stop-shop power solution for high-power, low-voltage robotics systems. This is especially applicable for underwater Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) which are fed with a nominal 48V through a long tether, and must convert this to a lower voltage, higher current on board the ROV. The MMPSU not only supplies high-current power for motors and actuators, but two fixed, auxiliary supplies at 5V and 12V, capable of 5A each, for powering other parts of a complete robotics system.

What makes it special?

The MMPSU fills a niche that we've yet to see filled. That is the need for high-current power converters at higher-than-typical voltages. Typical high-current, multiphase power supplies operate at low voltage inputs (<24V) and even lower output voltages (<3.3V). The multiphase converter we've designed takes the concept and applies it to a range suitable for driving robotics systems.