MBCM270F450M270A00 - 270W 230-330V to 45V BCM Bus Converter | Vicor
MPN: MBCM270F450M270A00 ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $245 | $245.00 |
| 10 | $232.75 | $2,327.50 |
| 100 | $215.5 | $21,550.00 |
| 250 | $199.95 | $49,987.50 |
| 500 | $184.5 | $92,250.00 |
MBCM270F450M270A00 Overview
A BCM bus converter is a fixed-ratio isolated DC-DC converter that uses a SAC topology to step down (or step up) a high-voltage bus to an intermediate, isolated distribution voltage with extremely high efficiency and power density (>919 W/in3). In the power system hierarchy, BCMs sit between a front-end AC-DC or HV DC-DC source and downstream regulators (PoL converters such as Vicor's PRM/VTM or ZVS buck regulators). The fixed K factor (K=1/5 for this 270V-in / 45V-out part) means output voltage tracks input voltage by a precise ratio, eliminating the need for a closed-loop control loop on the BCM itself.
Key features include >96.0% peak efficiency, >919 W/in3 power density, integrated input-side enable/disable control, an input-side referenced temperature monitor signal, and built-in protection features. The VI Chip package is compatible with standard pick-and-place and surface-mount assembly processes, reducing system power footprint by more than 40% compared with discrete converter designs. The fixed-ratio SAC topology produces a clean, low-noise secondary output because it transfers energy as a sinusoidal current waveform rather than through a switched-inductor PWM stage.
Typical applications include HV-to-LV isolated bus distribution in industrial automation, 270V/280V aerospace and military power systems, MIL-COTS telecom equipment, and front-end power for downstream PoL converters. The MBCM270F450M270A00's high efficiency and power density make it well-suited for size- and weight-constrained applications such as UAV power distribution, ground-vehicle electronics, and shipboard power systems. The 230-330V input range covers the nominal 270V and 280V MIL-STD-704 and DO-160 aircraft buses as well as 300V nominal industrial DC buses.
When designing with this device, the BCM output is unregulated, so downstream regulation is required for any load that requires a precise voltage. Place input bulk capacitance close to the BCM input pins to handle the sinusoidal input current ripple, and ensure the secondary-side capacitance meets Vicor's recommended minimum to filter the SAC output. The enable pin is referenced to the input side, so an isolated gate driver or digital isolator is required when controlling enable from a low-voltage controller on the secondary side.
This page synthesizes distributor stock and pricing, MIL-COTS-compatible variants, and design notes for HV distributed power architectures - context not found in the standalone datasheet.
Drop-in alternatives for MBCM270F450M270A00 — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
MBCM270T450M270A00
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MBCM270F450M270A01
✅ Drop-In ⚠️ Specs Unverified📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
MBCM270F450M270A00 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics
| Topology | Sine Amplitude Converter (SAC), fixed-ratio isolated |
| Family | BCM Bus Converter, MIL-COTS |
| Input Voltage Range | 230 V to 330 V DC |
| Output Voltage Range (no load) | 38.3 V to 55.0 V |
| Nominal Output Voltage | 45 V |
| Output Power (max) | 270 W |
| Output Current (Max) | 6 A |
| Efficiency (peak) | >96.0% |
| Power Density | >919 W/in3 |
| Package | VI Chip (SMD, pick-and-place compatible) |
| Isolation | Input-to-output galvanic isolation (Vicor VI Chip standard) |
| Enable Control | Yes, input-side referenced enable/disable |
| Temperature Monitor | Yes, input-side referenced TM signal |
| Operating Temperature (M-Grade) | -55 C to +100 C (Tj) |
| Mounting Type | Surface Mount |
| Compliance | MIL-COTS grade |
MBCM270F450M270A00 Pin Configuration
| Pin 1 | +VIN — Positive input voltage (230-330V DC) |
| Pin 2 | -VIN — Input return / HV-side ground |
| Pin 3 | EN — Enable/disable control, input-side referenced |
| Pin 4 | TM — Temperature monitor, input-side referenced analog signal |
| Pin 5 | NC — No connect (reserved per datasheet) |
| Pin 6 | +VOUT — Positive regulated isolated output (38.3-55V) |
| Pin 7 | -VOUT — Output return / LV-side isolated ground |
Typical Applications
MBCM270F450M270A00 is suitable for 6 applications: MIL-STD-704 / DO-160 Aircraft HV Bus Distribution, UAV Avionics and Propulsion Power, Shipboard and Ground Vehicle HV Power Systems, Industrial 300V DC Distribution Front-End, HV Front-End for Telecom and Data-Center 48V Buses, Defense and Aerospace Test & Measurement Rigs.
MIL-STD-704 / DO-160 Aircraft HV Bus Distribution
The MBCM270F450M270A00 directly accepts 270V/280V nominal aircraft DC buses per MIL-STD-704 and DO-160, stepping them down with a fixed K=1/5 ratio to an isolated 45V intermediate bus at up to 270W/6A. Its >96% SAC efficiency and >919 W/in3 power density are decisive for airborne electronics where every watt of dissipation and every cubic inch count against payload and thermal budgets. Placed between the 270V feeder and downstream Vicor PRM/VTM PoL converters, it produces a clean isolated rail for avionics, FMS, and mission computers. The -55 C to +100 C M-Grade thermal rating covers unpressurized avionics bay and external pylon environments.
Recommended
UAV Avionics and Propulsion Power
Unmanned aerial vehicles use 270V-300V high-voltage DC distribution to reduce harness weight and I^2R losses, and the MBCM270F450M270A00 is engineered specifically for that bus. With >96% efficiency it minimizes battery drain on long-endurance missions, and the 270W continuous rating covers flight controller, payload, and small electric propulsion auxiliary loads. The VI Chip surface-mount package drops directly onto a UAV power board, replacing bulkier discrete converters that would not fit in a constrained airframe. Built-in enable/disable lets the FC gate power to subsystems during flight phases.
Recommended
Shipboard and Ground Vehicle HV Power Systems
Naval and military ground-vehicle platforms standardize on 270V-300V DC distribution, and the MBCM270F450M270A00's M-Grade (-55 C to +100 C Tj) rating targets exactly those environments. The MIL-COTS screening and the integrated input-side enable make it straightforward to wire into shipboard combat-system power buses where galvanic isolation and high efficiency are non-negotiable. A typical deployment powers a 270W auxiliary load - radar exciter, encrypted comms, or sensor array - from the 270V ring main, with the isolated 45V bus feeding downstream PoL stages for 12V/5V/3.3V rails.
Recommended
Industrial 300V DC Distribution Front-End
Modern industrial automation and process-control racks increasingly use 300V nominal DC distribution for improved efficiency over AC mains. The MBCM270F450M270A00's 230V-330V input window directly accepts a 300V industrial bus and converts it with >96% efficiency to an isolated 45V rail for downstream PoL converters feeding PLCs, motor drives, and instrumentation. The >919 W/in3 power density shrinks the front-end converter to a footprint smaller than legacy brick-style modules, and the SAC topology's low EMI eases CE/UL compliance of the overall rack. Enable/disable control is referenced to the HV input side, suiting systems that key power on a single HV contactor.
Recommended
HV Front-End for Telecom and Data-Center 48V Buses
Although telecom nominals are 48V, -48V battery plants and 380V DC data-center feeds share the same high-efficiency isolated conversion challenge. The MBCM270F450M270A00 in a cascaded architecture - feeding a downstream PRM/VTM pair - allows a 270V battery plant to be stepped all the way down to 1V PoL for advanced ASICs and processors with >90% end-to-end efficiency. The 270W rating suits a single shelf of networking or compute equipment, and the SAC topology's quiet output simplifies EMI filtering for sensitive SERDES lanes.
Recommended
Defense and Aerospace Test & Measurement Rigs
Test rigs simulating 270V/280V MIL-STD-704 aircraft power require a clean, isolated, high-power source for the unit under test. The MBCM270F450M270A00, fed from a programmable HV DC source, provides an isolated 45V/6A rail that emulates downstream PoL converter behavior without disturbing the source. Its >96% efficiency means test racks run cool during long stress campaigns, and its input-side enable allows automated test sequencers to step load and restart subsystems with deterministic timing.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for MBCM270F450M270A00 — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | MBCM270T450M270A00 | MBCM270F450M270A01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Package | VI Chip (SMD) | VI Chip (SMD) - same | VI Chip (SMD) - same |
| Brand | Vicor | Vicor | Vicor |
| Input Voltage Range | 230 V to 330 V DC | 230 V to 330 V DC | 230 V to 330 V DC |
| Output Voltage (nominal) | 45 V | 45 V | 45 V |
| Output Power | 270 W | 270 W | 270 W |
| Output Current | 6 A | 6 A | 6 A |
| Efficiency | >96.0% | >96.0% | >96.0% |
| Temperature Grade | M-Grade (-55 C to +100 C Tj) | T-Grade (commercial, narrower range) | M-Grade (-55 C to +100 C Tj) |
| Topology | SAC fixed-ratio isolated BCM | SAC fixed-ratio isolated BCM | SAC fixed-ratio isolated BCM |
Key Differentiators
- MIL-COTS screening at the same price tier as T-Grade BCMs (vs MBCM270T450M270A00)
- Highest efficiency (>96%) and power density (>919 W/in3) in the 270V/45V class (vs Discrete HV-to-LV isolated DC-DC modules)
- Integrated enable and temperature monitor for telemetry (vs Discrete isolated converter designs)
Design Notes
The MBCM270F450M270A00 is unregulated (fixed K factor). Output voltage tracks input by K=1/5, so any downstream rail that requires precision must be followed by a Vicor PRM (regulated) or another PoL converter. Never connect a precision load directly to the BCM output without a downstream regulator, or the load will see the full input-voltage variation scaled by K.
Estimated: at 270V in / 45V out and 6A load, the BCM draws roughly 270W / 0.96 = ~281W input, so internal dissipation is ~11W. The VI Chip package relies on PCB copper spreading plus optional forced air; for full 270W continuous output at 100 C Tj, follow Vicor's thermal management guidance (heatsink or thermal vias to inner copper planes) in the VI Chip mechanical datasheet. Under-sizing thermal management will trip the internal protection and reduce usable output power.
Place input bulk capacitance as close as possible to the +VIN/-VIN pads to filter the SAC input current ripple. Recommended minimum input capacitance is specified in the Vicor datasheet - typically a low-ESR ceramic + electrolytic combination sized for the input RMS current. Secondary-side capacitance on +VOUT/-VOUT must also meet Vicor's minimum to suppress SAC ripple on the isolated bus.
The enable (EN) and temperature monitor (TM) signals are referenced to the HV input side, not the isolated secondary. Driving EN from a low-voltage controller on the secondary requires a digital isolator or an isolated gate driver; floating the EN pin leaves the BCM enabled. Always wire TM to an input-side ADC for thermal foldback - the secondary-side controller cannot directly read this signal without isolation.
Compliance Information
MIL-COTS screening per Vicor; commercial-environment compliance (RoHS/REACH) is not stated in the verified data - confirm with Vicor before use in RoHS-restricted assemblies.
