PCB Reference Designs

A reference design is a complete PCB solution to be used as a launching pad to get your design up and running fast. It will have fewer options, but it will allow you to quickly check that the RECOM product functions as expected in your application.

This platform design can be used to compare the real-life performance of various high power IGBT, 1st/2nd generation SiC, GaN, MOSFET and Cascode switching technologies. As the gate driver and PCB layout are the same for every transistor type, engineers will be able to compare and contrast switching performances and make informed choices about the optimal technology for their application.

With higher voltages being used in the Controller Area Network (CAN) standard, isolated communications are now essential to protect the low-voltage microcontroller and reduce noise. To isolate the communication channels, an isolated power supply, either with discrete components or with an integrated solution, is needed.

An integrated option is our R-REF03-CAN1 reference board, demonstrating the functionality of the isolated ISO1042 CAN transceiver, which is supplied by our low-profile and thumbnail-sized R1SX DC/DC converter. It allows design engineers to quickly develop and analyze isolated CAN bus systems and includes the galvanically-isolated ISO1042 CAN transceiver, which supports up to a 5-Mbps data rate in CAN FD mode, allowing much faster transfer of payload compared to classic CAN.

The R-REF02-78S is a ready-to-use design for 3.3V IoT applications. It generates 3.3V from a single AA battery and can be integrated directly into an application. The reference design contains a AA battery holder and an R-78S3.3-0.1 boost converter. Two jumper headers J1 and J2 connect to the output voltage and the CTRL pin of the R-78S converter. An enable pin switches the R-78S into sleep mode where it draws only 7µA from the battery.

The R-REF04-RIA12-1 and R-REF04-RIA12-2 are complete reference designs for railway applications. The R-REF04-RIA12-1 board is populated with components rated for higher DC input voltages up to 110VDC nominal input; the R-REF04-RIA12-2 board is populated with components rated for higher DC input currents up to 10A. Both boards are input side fused and can be used with DC/DC converters with single output currents up to 45A.

The reference designs include a RIA12-conform surge stopper capable of blocking surge voltages up to 385VDC. The universal pinout accommodates DC/DC converters with 2”x1”, Quarter Brick or Half Brick standard case dimensions including the entire RECOM portfolio of railway DC/DC converters up until 240W.