Ericsson delivers three-millionth environmentally friendly board-to-board DC/DC converter

In 2001, responding to environmental concerns in Japan and Europe, Ericsson Power Modules was the first in the power industry to release lead-free solder products, the PKD series.

Further, the market response to Ericsson Power Modules’ PKD series DC/DC power converters and Ericsson’s constant research to develop the most efficient products – which help to reduce environmental impacts while also reducing cost and improving performance – motivated Ericsson Power Modules to extend the use of its board-to-board technique first developed for high-volume projects notably in its MacroDens PKF/PKR, and recently in its PKD-E.

The board-to-board technology introduced in 2004 by Ericsson Power Modules in the BMP (board-mounted product) segment is an important step when it is necessary to comply with cost-efficiency parameters without compromising the effect of the product on the environment.
Removing molding, ceramic substrates, lead-frames, and adopting the use of lower thermodynamic sub-assemblies has contributed to reducing the board-to-board modules’ mass by 30%. This means that they require less energy during the manufacturing process and also when being assembled into the customer’s host equipment.

It is not always possible to accommodate full functionality on one side of a board. But when it is possible, the board-to-board technique is the best platform for reducing the use of substances such as epoxy molding, or other compounds that add cost and complexity when equipment end-of-life is reached and recycling is necessary. Ericsson Power Modules is the first company in the board-mounted power industry to use such technology in low and mid-power DC/DC converters.

As well as simplifying products to reduce their environmental impact, Ericsson Power Modules is committed to, and undertakes research in, such new technologies as digital power management and control, which, combined with high high-efficiency topologies, further contribute to increasing systems efficiency, reducing energy consumption.

Complementing other technologies such as digital power management, the implementation of board-to-board technology in radio base stations is one of the ways Ericsson is working to optimize the energy efficiency of its portfolio.