Simon Fafard
Broadcom Semiconductor, Canada
Title: Laser power converter products with Eff>60% based on the vertical epitaxial heterostructure architecture (VEHSA) design
Biography
Biography: Simon Fafard
Abstract
In 2017, Broadcom acquired Azastra Opto Inc. and L2W Inc. and released its new laser power converter product line. It is based on the patented Vertical Epitaxial HeteroStructure Architecture (VEHSA design) and it has been deployed in various applications. Th ese photo transducer products have the highest ever optical to electrical power conversion effi ciency, as will be shown in this presentation with the product performance distributions of several thousand devices. Fibered semiconductor lasers are commonly available, nowadays with a few watts of power and can be used to optically power such VEHSA devices. Th is allows for the safe delivery of watts of isolated electrical power with high galvanic isolation as the optical fi ber is immune to EMI and RF noises. Th e devices are perfect for applications requiring complete electrical isolation in highly demanding industrial environments. Th e product can be used for powering electronic circuitry where electrical wired solutions are not feasible due to high voltage, electromagnetic inductance or strong magnetic fi elds. In this presentation, an update on the latest developments will also be given, including examples of applications requiring several watts of converted power or operating under various conditions. Applications in the fi eld also include:
-Sensor applications: Provide isolated power for various sensors
-Electric Power Utilities: Provide a fully isolated power to protect sensor devices
-Lightning: Protection of key circuits
-Biomedical and Neuro-stimulation: Provide safe and tailored voltage and current sources
-RF Power electronics circuits: Interference and ringing reduction
-Oil & Gas Industry: Eliminate the risk of sparks from metal
-Chemical Plants: Use power over fi ber in corrosive areas where metal wires can be attacked
-Avionics: Use Power over fi ber instead of metal wires to reduce weight and EMI
-Medical instrumentation: Resonance Magnetic Imaging (RMI)
-Security: Trigger and power sources unaff ected by EMI-RFI.