Digital Control in a MicroTCA Power System

Micro Telecommunications Computing Architecture (MicroTCA) is a relatively new architectural specification for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) equipment, intended for relatively small, low-power applications where it can be more cost-effective than other ICT architectures. After a brief description of MicroTCA, this paper addresses the specification's key power assembly, the "power module," in detail, with emphasis on how digital control techniques can enhance its performance.

The paper demonstrates that the output power density and efficiency of the power module can be significantly enhanced by techniques such as paralleling two converters with sophisticated current sharing and synchronization capabilities. The paper also explains how the Power Management Bus (PMBus) can be an effective tool for communication.