VPT's new article on distributed power architecture design graced the cover of ECN's December issue.  Read the article for the latest information on how you can create a distributed power architecture with a smaller, more efficient, cost-saving footprint.

Authored by Jeremy Ferrell, VPT's Manager of Standard Engineering, this article discusses the advantages of using point of load converters over traditional isolated DC-DC converters. Also included are efficiency comparison diagrams and important implementation issues to consider.

Products featured include the new DVPL0503Spoint of load DC-DC power converter and the HERO distributed power architecture system.

Read the article in ECN (abbreviated).

Download the complete app note here.

Hollywood, FL and Miami, FL -- VPT's parent company, HEICO Corporation (NYSE: HEI.A) and (NYSE: HEI), reported that Forbes Magazine has included HEICO as one of the 100 Best Small Companies in Forbes’ 2010 annual list of such businesses. This marks the 5th consecutive year HEICO has been included in the list of Forbes 200 Best Small Companies and the first year of HEICO’s inclusion in the top 100 List.

VPT will showcase a new DC-DC power system solution at the Electronica trade show in Munich Germany, from November 9 through November 12 in Hall A4, Booth 507. VPT is attending the show in conjunction with its German electronics distributor, Protec GmbH.

VPT is currently accepting press and analyst appointments for Thursday, November 11, at Electronica. Interested editors and analysts are invited to e-mail mmanson@vpt-inc.com to schedule an appointment at the show.

VPT, Inc received a 3- Star Supplier Excellence Award in September from Raytheon Company.

The selection of VPT was based on meeting demanding standards in the areas of quality and delivery performance, customer satisfaction, and total business and financial health.  

VPT products will be showcased at the premier electronics event worldwide, Electronica. Look for us in the booth with our Germany sales representative, Protech GmBH.

Dates: November 9-12, 2010

Booth:  A4.507

We'll be showcasing all of our new products, so please stop by if you're at the show.

Free Short Form Catalog Details Engineering Data on More Than 50

COTS Power Conversion Products.

Download now.

Join us for a brief tutorial on working with the flexible DVPL Series point-of-load DC-DC converters. Usage of the track pin and sequencing functions are detailed in a whiteboard discussion and lab demonstration. 

In the June issue of Military and Aerospace Electronics Magazine, VPT's team provides technical information and market insight for John McHale's article "Radiation-Hardened Electronics Technology Remains Stable Amid Steady Demand in the Space Market."

Excerpt:

"The hottest market shift is a huge demand for rad-hard point-of-load converters that can be used in conjunction with traditional isolated rad-hard DC-DC converters to support high efficiency distributed architectures,” says Daniel Sable, president, of VPT Inc. in Everett, Wash. “Using point-of-load converters instead of standard DC-DC converters throughout a system saves size, weight, and dramatically improves efficiency and therefore thermal designs are simplified. All of these are critical issues for spacecraft. This technology is very mature for commercial applications, but there have been few offerings of high efficiency, non-isolated, rad-hard point-of-load DC-DC converters for use in space applications."

“A major industry concern the past few years has been enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS), says Leonard Leslie, manager, space programs at VPT. Designs must not show ELDRS, which is “caused by components degrading earlier when exposed to a dose rate closer to that seen in the application, as opposed to the high dose rates traditionally used for design qualification,” he adds.

BLACKSBURG, VA, June 1, 2010 – VPT, Inc., a HEICO company (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI), has introduced a new EMI (electromagnetic interference) filter module for distributed power systems. The new VPTc10-28 EMI filter satisfies strict reliability requirements for commercial avionics and military systems in the U.S. and Europe.

The VPTc10-28 Series EMI filter and transient suppressor combines two modules in one space-saving package. This module reduces the reflected noise of DC-DC converters while simultaneously protecting a power system from inrush current damage and reverse polarity conditions.  

In the May issue of Military Aerospace Magazine, Courtney Howard includes comments and insights from VPT in her article, "Power is Paramount."

Excerpt:

"We continue to see the influence of lower-voltage processors driving our customer base, which includes a broad base of worldwide designers in the high-reliability avionics, military, and space markets, to develop power conversion designs that are extremely efficient, of a small size, and cost effective," notes Michael J. Bosmann, senior vice president of sales and marketing at VPT Inc. in Everett, Wash.  

"A company needs to remain flexible in its approach to serving the power conversion electronics needs for the mil-aero applications of the future," advises Bosmann. "Our research and development in process technology is focused on improving performance and reducing cost, whether in material, process time, or both. The one constant in this market, however, is always high reliability. Improving reliability is paramount to everything we've done in the past and will do in the future."

VPT recently donated $15,000 to the Virginia Tech Electrical and Computer Engineering (VT ECE) Department. In the photo, VPT’s President Dr. Dan Sable presents the donation to Professor Scott Bailey in the Virginia Tech University Laboratory for Remote Sensing and Aeronomy. 

Pictured behind the check is a space telescope that is part of the NASA Polar NOx sounding rocket mission for which Professor Bailey is the principal investigator. This mission will be powered by VPT's standard product DC-DC converters and is scheduled for launch in February 2011. The Polar NOx mission will measure nitric oxide, thought to be a significant source of ozone destruction, in the upper atmosphere. 

Dr. Dan Sable will continue his lifelong work in the space arena with a presentation on radiation hardened DC-DC converters at the upcoming Space Parts Working Group conference, May 5, in Torrance, California.

BLACKSBURG, VA, April 13, 2010 - VPT Inc., a HEICO company (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI), today announced that several new modules are available for the DVFL, DVTR, and DVHFSeries DC-DC power converter product lines. The new output voltages on these modules satisfy the reliability requirements and varying output voltage needs of the newest avionics and military electronics.

The new modules now available include:

DVFLsingle output, 120 watts – 6.3V, 7V, 8V, 9.5V, 18V, 28V

DVFL, dual output, 120 watts – 6.3V, 9.5V

DVTR, single output, 40 watts – 7V, 8V, 18V, 28V

DVTR, dual output, 40 watts – 8V, 18V

DVHF, single output, 20 watts – 5.7V, 18V  

VPT Inc., a HEICO company (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI), today announced the availability of a new point-of-load power converter designed and manufactured for the extreme environment of space.The new SVGA Series point-of-load DC-DC converter delivers extremely high efficiency at a cost that doesn’t shock a user’s budget.

Characterized to 100krad (Si) total dose radiation under VPT's radiation program per MIL-PRF-38534, Appendix G*, the SVGA Series is optimized for reliable performance in deep space missions, satellite applications, space station initiatives, and any ultra reliability application in a space environment.