Broadband technologies enable greater efficiency and power density in a compact design.
Real-time diagnostics, predictive maintenance, and shutdown event analysis are now available in the FLXPro series.
Secure, multi-level password protection enhances power supply security and regulatory compliance.
From "idiot boxes" to intelligent systems
Historically, power supplies were considered passive devices, “dumb boxes” that simply provided power. But a new generation of fully digital power architectures is transforming this view. Modern digital power supplies now act as intelligent system components, capable of providing a wealth of diagnostic data and real-time information about system status and performance. Nothing exemplifies this better than our FLXPro series, which redefines what a power supply can be through digital innovation, configurability, and integrated intelligence.
Digital design: a fully integrated architecture
The switch to a fully digital power supply architecture represents a fundamental change. While many "digital" solutions offer only limited digital communication, FLXPro provides complete digital control at both the input and output stages.
This comprehensive digital design, based on internal CANBus communications, enables faster control, deeper data analysis, and greater reliability. It allows for precise monitoring and predictive diagnostics, which are simply not possible with analog systems.
Compact power: broadband technologies
One of the key factors enabling smaller, more powerful power supplies is the use of wideband semiconductor (WBG) technology. FLXPro integrates silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) FETs to achieve higher switching speeds, allowing for smaller passive components and greater efficiency.
Fig. 1 SiC FETs power the front end of FLXPro, while GaN FETs drive the output stages
As a result, FLXPro achieves an impressive power density of 23.2 W/cubic inch. It delivers up to 1.3 kW in a unit measuring only 40.6 mm x 254.0 mm x 88.9 mm (1U x 10" x 3.5"). With up to 93% efficiency and full-power operation up to +50°C, it leads its class in both performance and size.
iPSU: Turning data into useful information
At the heart of FLXPro's intelligence lies iPSU Intelligent Power technology. This platform transforms raw data into useful diagnostics for users and control systems.
Predictive diagnostics
The system monitors trends such as fan speed in relation to temperature to predict failures before they occur. This proactive approach increases uptime and reduces maintenance costs.
Black box snapshot
A unique "black box" function captures not only the moment a shutdown occurs, but also the three minutes preceding it. This data is stored independently of the main system in non-volatile memory, ensuring critical information is preserved even in the most severe shutdown circumstances.
This allows engineers to answer not only what failed, but also why and when it happened, providing a new level of system transparency.
Security comes first: secure multi-level password protection
With the rise in cyber threats and evolving regulations, security is a major concern. FLXPro addresses this issue with a market-first, multi-level password protection system:
Level 1: Configuration changes.
Level 2: Firmware updates.
Level 3: Factory recalibration.
These layers protect the system against unauthorized access and tampering. Custom 8- to 15-digit passwords enable customers to comply with regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act and the US Cybersecurity Act, while potentially reducing the compliance burden for sensitive applications by up to 50%.
XPInsight: Intuitive control thanks to human-centered design
Advanced features are of little use if they're difficult to use. That's why FLXPro features XPInsight, an intuitive user interface based on the principles of human-centered design (HCD).
Unlike legacy systems, which display one output at a time or only support direct digital communications, XPInsight, which leverages the direct PMBus communications available in FLXPro, allows users to view all four outputs simultaneously, along with key diagnostics, alarms, and trends.
Fig. 2 XPInsight user-friendly interface based on human-centered design principles
An integrated oscilloscope facilitates graphical representation, monitoring, recording, and export of data, accelerating product development and troubleshooting.
Visual simplicity and accessibility
XPInsight uses a red-amber-green (RAG) status system, enhanced with patterns and text for colorblind users. Gray indicators clearly show inactive functions. Tri-color LEDs with easily accessible labels ensure that critical status information is always interpretable, even without color.
For applications requiring serial or parallel outputs, color-coded connections and consistent naming conventions make setup simple and error-proof.
Flexible and safe for complex applications
FLXPro is as flexible as it is powerful. Users can configure outputs to suit the specific needs of each application, saving development time and simplifying integration.
The outputs can be switched independently without shutting down the entire unit. This makes it easier and safer to test or troubleshoot individual subsystems.
To further enhance safety, FLXPro features ES1-rated "touch-safe" communications, ensuring that voltages remain below 60 VDC under single-fault conditions. For medical applications, it meets stringent 2 x MOPP insulation requirements, in accordance with the most demanding safety standards.
Conclusion
The FLXPro series from XP Power is not just a power supply, it's an intelligent system component for building faster, safer, and smarter systems.
Learn more about the FLXPro series of compact, intelligent, and configurable power supplies.
Author: Simon Wheeler is Vice President of Product Management at XP Power. He has decades of experience in design engineering and product management at a global level for leading instrumentation, electronics, and software companies.
