For over 50 years, RECOM has stood as an undisputed pioneer in the realm of DC/DC power conversion. Building upon a legacy of continuous technological advancement, strict quality control, and superior power density, the company has officially announced a major expansion of its product portfolio. Introducing the new RECOM Isolated DC/DC Power ICs, a proprietary line of integrated circuits specifically engineered to give hardware designers unprecedented flexibility.
By offering both highly integrated modules and these new IC-based discrete solutions, RECOM is providing engineers with the ultimate choice in power supply architecture. This strategic launch centers around the RVP and RVS series, which enable highly reproducible electrical performance across extreme temperature and load ranges while delivering massive economies of scale for high-volume production.
The Shift: Fully Integrated Modules vs. Discrete IC Solutions
Traditionally, engineers have favored fully integrated DC/DC modules because they are pre-assembled, extensively qualified, and ready for immediate drop-in use. While modules remain a fantastic choice for rapid prototyping and low-volume manufacturing, high-volume projects often demand a different approach.
A discrete solution built around RECOM Isolated DC/DC Power ICs and synchronous rectifier ICs unlocks a new level of design freedom. Engineers gain granular control over board layout, strategic component placement, and critical thermal management. These discrete ICs integrate flawlessly into existing Surface Mount Technology (SMT) assembly processes. As production volumes scale upward, this discrete methodology yields significant cost advantages, rivaling those of conventional SMD component architectures.
Primary-Side Power ICs: The RVP Series
A core pillar of this new discrete strategy is the RVP series. This family of unregulated primary-side transformer driver power ICs easily supports input voltages up to 30V and is available in multiple topologies to satisfy diverse system requirements.
- Push-Pull Topologies: Devices like the RVP010 and the RVP6501 are designed to address a massive cross-section of isolated applications. Notably, the RVP6501 maintains pin and functional compatibility with the industry-standard 6501-type IC, allowing engineers to effortlessly migrate existing legacy designs with almost zero layout modification effort.
- Full-Bridge Topologies: For designs requiring simplified magnetics, the RVP001, RVP003, and RVP005 models utilize a robust full-bridge topology. This completely eliminates the need for a complex primary-side center-tapped winding. By simplifying the physical winding structure, it drastically reduces magnetic asymmetries. This symmetrical core drive ensures the most efficient utilization of magnetic materials possible.
Secondary-Side Synchronous Rectifiers: The RVS Series
To complement the primary-side drivers, RECOM has introduced the highly intelligent RVS series for the secondary side. The standout component, the RVS002 synchronous rectifier IC, effectively renders conventional diode rectifiers obsolete.
By replacing lossy diodes with synchronous rectification, the RVS series dramatically cuts secondary-side power losses. Conduction losses are heavily minimized, overall thermal stress is reduced, and system efficiency skyrockets. Furthermore, this intelligent IC drastically reduces the total bill of materials (BOM) by eliminating the need for external dummy resistors or complicated compensation components, resulting in a cleaner, layout-friendly design.
Pre-Qualified Matched SMD Transformers: The RMR Series
Designing custom magnetics is often the riskiest and most time-consuming phase of power supply development. To eliminate this hurdle, RECOM actively supports its new IC solutions with the RMR series of pre-qualified SMD transformers.
These advanced transformers are perfectly matched to the precise electrical parameters of the RVP drivers. Together, they form a validated discrete package capable of delivering defined insulation classes—scaling from robust 1500VDC functional isolation all the way up to strict 8000VDC reinforced isolation. This matched-component approach slashes prototyping time and mitigates design risk, ensuring an incredibly short time-to-market.
Robust Protection for Critical Applications
Reliability is paramount in modern electronics. Both the RVP and RVS IC families feature vital integrated protection functions. These include advanced short-circuit protection algorithms, smooth soft-start capabilities to prevent inrush current damage, and an extended industrial operating temperature range spanning from −40°C to +125°C.
Because they support up to 10W of power and inputs up to 30V, these ICs are perfectly qualified for demanding sectors. Typical applications include:
- Isolated gate driver supplies
- Industrial control and factory process automation
- Highly sensitive medical devices and diagnostic systems
- Precision test and measurement equipment
- Isolated communication interfaces (Datacom/Telecom)
- E-Mobility and Railway infrastructure
- Building automation and smart lighting systems
By bridging the gap between modular convenience and discrete flexibility, RECOM continues to set the standard for modern power distribution architectures.
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