Infineon Technologies has introduced a new 12 kW high-density power supply unit (PSU) reference design tailored for AI data centers and high-performance servers. As artificial intelligence workloads continue to drive massive demand for power, Infineon’s latest design aims to maximize energy efficiency, reduce system size, and enhance reliability, key concerns for modern data center infrastructure.
This new reference design combines the latest semiconductor technologies, silicon (Si), silicon carbide (SiC), and gallium nitride (GaN) to deliver high-performance power conversion across the entire chain. Engineers and developers working on power electronics for servers and data centers will benefit from access to a fully optimized blueprint capable of pushing the limits of power density and thermal efficiency.
At the core of the PSU is a front-end AC/DC converter that uses a 3-level flying capacitor interleaved power factor correction (PFC) topology. This setup enables the unit to achieve a peak efficiency of over 99%, while also shrinking the size of magnetic components thanks to Infineon’s CoolSiC technology. On the DC/DC side, the design features a full-bridge LLC resonant converter, supported by two planar high-frequency transformers and Infineon’s CoolGaN switches, reaching peak efficiency above 98.5%.
Together, these advanced topologies and wide-bandgap components enable a compact yet powerful system, achieving a power density of up to 113 W/in³. This allows data center operators to pack more computing power into less space without sacrificing performance or energy usage.
One of the standout elements of the design is the integrated bidirectional energy buffer. This component serves multiple roles: it handles the system’s hold-up time requirements, reduces the need for bulky capacitors, and helps smooth out fluctuations in grid demand. During transient or power disturbances, it can effectively shape the power profile, protect sensitive equipment, and reduce stress on the power infrastructure.
With energy costs rising and server loads growing rapidly, efficient power conversion is becoming increasingly critical. Infineon’s new reference design offers a glimpse into the next generation of smart, scalable power systems for AI-driven environments.
