Switching power supply's historical development and trends are the result of advancements in power electronics technology and changes in market demand. Here is an overview of the historical development and future trends of switching power supplies:
Historical Development:
1. Early Development: In the 1930s, the basic principles of switching power supplies were known to electrical engineers, but at that time, the applications were limited. The introduction of power transistors in the 1950s propelled the development of switching power supply technology.
2.Aerospace Applications: In the 1960s, NASA and the aerospace industry drove the rapid development of switching power supply technology, due to its advantages of small size and high efficiency in aerospace applications.
3.Commercialization: In the 1970s, as costs decreased, switching power supplies began to be commercialized. For example, in 1970, the Japan Electronic Storage Industry Co., Ltd. began developing standardized switching power supplies in Japan.
4.Personal Computer Applications: In 1977, the Apple II personal computer adopted a switching power supply design, and the IBM PC launched in 1981 further promoted the commercial application of switching power supply technology.
5.Material and Technology Progress: Improvements in power MOSFET transistors and high-voltage silicon rectification technology have increased efficiency, and the application of digital control technology has made power supply management more precise and flexible.
Development Trends:
1.High Efficiency and Low Energy Consumption: The increasing global energy crisis makes improving the efficiency and reducing the energy consumption of switching power supplies increasingly important. Future switching power supplies will use more advanced power semiconductor devices, such as SiC and GaN, to improve efficiency.
2.Miniaturization and Lightweight: As electronic devices continue to miniaturize and lighten, switching power supplies are also pursuing smaller sizes and lighter weights. Chips and modules with higher integration will reduce the number of components and the area of the circuit board.
3.Digitalization and Intelligence: The development of digitalization and intelligent technology will enable switching power supplies to achieve more precise control and more flexible parameter settings, while also being equipped with intelligent monitoring and diagnostic functions.
4.High Frequency: Raising the switching frequency is key to reducing the size of switching power supplies. The emergence of GaN devices has made it possible to increase the switching frequency and reduce the size of power supplies.
5.Multifunctionality: Switching power supplies will not only provide stable voltage output but also integrate more functions, such as PFC, EMI filtering, over-voltage protection, etc., and will be equipped with communication interfaces.
6.Green and Environmentally Friendly: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection, switching power supplies need to use more environmentally friendly materials and processes to reduce environmental pollution and improve efficiency to reduce energy waste.
In summary, the development trends of switching power supplies are towards high efficiency, low energy consumption, miniaturization, lightweight, digitalization, intelligence, high frequency, multifunctionality, and green environmental protection. These trends will promote the continuous development and progress of switching power supply technology, providing more reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly power supply solutions for electronic equipment.
