Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters by NetPower
DOSA Standard Footprint | High Power Density

Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters: Technical Selection, Procurement Trends, and System Architecture Benchmarks

An authoritative engineering and procurement guide for power system architects and global buyers evaluating high-efficiency 1/16th brick isolated power modules for 48V telecom, industrial control, AI data centers, and rugged transportation systems.

33.0 x 22.9 mmDOSA Standard
Up to 95.5%Peak Efficiency
1500V - 2250VIsolation Rating
15W to 300W+Power Density
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Engineering Insight & Intent Mining

Semantic Search & AI User Intent: Why Global Procurement Teams Specify Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters

As artificial intelligence search tools (Perplexity, ChatGPT, SearchGPT, and Gemini) transform technical sourcing, power engineers and procurement managers ask increasingly granular questions about layout footprint efficiency, thermal de-rating margins, cross-compatibility, and total cost of ownership. This guide provides direct, verified technical information gain to resolve those critical inquiry vectors.

In modern distributed power architectures (DPA) and intermediate bus architectures (IBA), board real estate is among the most constrained technical currencies. The Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converter (1/16th brick) has emerged as the definitive industry workhorse for converting nominal 48V, 24V, or wide-input DC distribution rails down to regulated intermediate bus voltages (such as 12V, 5V, 3.3V, or direct payload voltages) without over-consuming printed circuit board (PCB) surface area.

Standardized under the Distributed-power Open Standards Alliance (DOSA) specifications, a sixteenth brick power module maintains strict mechanical dimensions of 33.0 mm x 22.9 mm (1.30 in x 0.90 in). Historically restricted to low-power auxiliary conversion (15W to 50W), modern advances in planar transformer design, high-frequency synchronous rectification, gallium nitride (GaN) switching stages, and advanced thermal potting now allow NetPower sixteenth brick modules to deliver upwards of 120W to 300W+ in open-frame, baseplate, or fully encapsulated metal-case formats.

Key Information Gain for Hardware Engineers & Sourcing Officers:

Replacing an older Eighth Brick (1/8th brick) module (58.4 mm x 22.9 mm) with a NetPower high-density Sixteenth Brick saves approximately 43.5% of PCB area while matching or exceeding output current capacity, reducing parasitic inductance, and lowering system mass in vibration-prone environments.

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High-Performance Portfolio

Featured NetPower Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converter Series

Engineered for extreme power density, thermal headroom, and field reliability across telecom, industrial automation, railway, and automotive testing platforms.

01 / TELECOM & DATACOM

Standard 48V Input 1/16th Brick Series

Optimized for 36V–75V input telecom infrastructure, 48V server backplanes, and network router switches.

  • Input Range: 36V – 75V DC (48V nominal)
  • Outputs: 1.2V, 1.8V, 2.5V, 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 28V, 48V
  • Peak Efficiency up to 95.2%
  • Basic isolation up to 2250 VDC
  • Open-frame & baseplated configurations
02 / INDUSTRIAL CONTROL

4:1 Wide Input (18-75V & 9-36V) Series

Built for industrial machinery, 24V/48V battery systems, robotics, and rugged field instrumentation.

  • Ultra-wide input covering multi-rail buses
  • Tight line & load regulation (<±0.2%)
  • Operating temp: -40°C to +105°C
  • Comprehensive OVP, OCP, OTP, UVLO protection
  • Optional heat-sink baseplate mounting
03 / RAILWAY & TRANSPORTATION

Encapsulated High-Voltage 1/16th Brick

Complying with EN50155 railway standards for rolling stock and heavy equipment control systems.

  • Wide Input: 14V–160V (covering 24V, 48V, 72V, 110V rails)
  • Reinforced Isolation up to 3000 VAC / 2250 VDC
  • Full silicone encapsulation for shock & vibration
  • EN50155, EN45545-2 fire & smoke certified
  • Zero minimum load requirement

Technical Benchmarks: NetPower 1/16th Brick Specification Matrix

Series Family Input Voltage (VDC) Output Voltage Options Max Output Power Peak Efficiency Isolation Voltage Thermal Package
HRS / MRS Series 36 – 75V (2:1) 1.2V – 12V, 28V, 48V 120W – 300W 95.5% 2250 VDC Open-frame / Baseplate
VRS Series (4:1) 18 – 75V / 9 – 36V 3.3V, 5V, 12V, 15V, 24V 50W – 150W 93.8% 1500 VDC – 2250 VDC Encapsulated / Baseplate
RWS Series (Railway) 14 – 160V (10:1) 5V, 12V, 15V, 24V, 48V 30W – 100W 91.5% 3000 VAC Isolation Potted / Sealed Metal Case
Custom Derivative Customer Specified Single / Dual Trimmed Up to 350W peak Tailored Up to 3000 VDC Custom Pinout / Heatsink
Strategic Sourcing Insights

How evolving compute workloads, supply chain risks, and environmental regulations redefine how Tier-1 OEMs select and procure board-mounted power modules.

1. The 48V Shift Driven by AI Infrastructure & High-Density Rack Servers

With artificial intelligence cluster hardware requiring tens of kilowatts per rack cabinet, traditional 12V backplane power distribution suffers severe I²R conductive losses. Global data centers and telecom switches are standardizing on 48V direct power distribution. This transition accelerates demand for high-density 1/16th brick intermediate bus converters (IBC) capable of stepping down 48V to 12V or 5V point-of-load (POL) inputs with over 95% thermal efficiency in minimal surface area.

2. WBG Semiconductor Adoption (GaN & SiC Integration)

Procurement directors must evaluate component technology roadmaps. Top-tier power module suppliers like NetPower are actively integrating Gallium Nitride (GaN) field-effect transistors into 1/16 brick primary and secondary switching stages. GaN’s near-zero reverse recovery charge and ultrafast switching frequencies reduce magnetics volume by over 40%, enabling higher power outputs within the exact same DOSA physical dimensions.

High density power module engineering at NetPower

3. Multi-Sourcing and DOSA Pinout Interoperability

Recent global supply chain disruptions underscored the danger of single-sourced custom power modules. Forward-looking procurement officers strictly mandate DOSA-compliant footprints. A standardized 1/16th brick layout ensures that hardware platforms can swap modules between qualified vendors (such as NetPower and standard industry equivalents) without requiring complex circuit board re-spins or mechanical enclosure tooling alterations.

4. Stringent ESG, RoHS 3, and REACH Compliance Mandates

Global electronics manufacturers face increasing scrutiny regarding substance compliance and environmental impact. Modern sixteenth brick purchasing specs require full material disclosure, zero halogen potting compounds, compliance with EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (and amendment 2015/863), REACH SVHC declarations, and conflict-free mineral sourcing verification.

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Technology Evolution

Examining the circuit topologies, thermal management advances, and noise mitigation strategies that allow sixteenth brick converters to break historical thermal density boundaries.

Planar Transformer Architecture

Traditional wire-wound transformers suffer from high leakage inductance and thermal hotspots. NetPower's 1/16th brick series utilizes planar magnetics integrated directly into multi-layer heavy copper PCBs, reducing component height while improving inter-winding coupling and thermal conduction to the baseplate.

Active Clamp Topology & Synchronous Rectification

By implementing active clamp forward circuits paired with low-Rds(on) MOSFET synchronous rectifiers, switching losses are dramatically minimized. Peak conversion efficiency exceeds 95%, keeping thermal dissipation to a minimum even under 100% continuous duty cycles.

Advanced Thermal Encapsulation

For industrial control and railway rolling stock applications, NetPower offers fully potted sixteenth brick modules. The thermally conductive compound conducts heat evenly from internal components to the aluminum baseplate while providing complete protection against humidity, dust, and mechanical shock.

Board mounted power module technology

EMC & Radiated Emission Mitigation Strategies

Modern high-speed communications boards and sensitive analog sensors cannot tolerate excessive electromagnetic interference (EMI). NetPower sixteenth brick converters are designed with symmetrical switching nodes, internal shield layers, and optimized input filter networks to facilitate compliance with EN55032 / CISPR 32 Class A and Class B conducted emission standards with minimal external passive filter components.

  • ✓

    Low Ripple and Noise

    Output ripple voltages down to 1% Vout peak-to-peak minimize downstream filtering costs for core logic ICs.

  • ✓

    Ultra-Fast Transient Response

    Precision feedback control loops respond to 50%-75% step loads within microseconds, preserving voltage stability.

Enterprise Reliability & Engineering Leadership

Proven in Millions of Converters Worldwide. Backed by NetPower Engineering Excellence.

For over two decades, NetPower Technologies has engineered and manufactured mission-critical board-mounted power modules, non-isolated point-of-load (POL) converters, and high-voltage e-Mobility platforms. Millions of NetPower modules are currently operational in Tier-1 telecommunications base stations, commercial electric vehicles, railway control cabinets, and industrial automation networks globally. Our field-proven MTBF figures (exceeding 2.5 million hours under Telcordia SR-332 standards) are verified by rigorous design testing, HALT/HASS screening, and 100% automated final testing.

MillionsModules Operating in Field
15W – 1000W+Board Mount Coverage
100%Automated Burn-in & Test
ISO9001 / IATFCertified Quality System
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Customization & Co-Engineering

Why Engineering Teams Choose NetPower for Standard and Modified 1/16th Brick Solutions

Direct engineer-to-engineer support, rapid prototyping, and custom mechanical packaging ensure your power architecture matches exact system requirements without delay.

  • 1

    Design-for-Reliability & Worst-Case Loop Analysis

    Every module design undergoes rigorous component de-rating, finite-element thermal modeling, and worst-case loop stability analysis to prevent unexpected thermal derating in field deployments.

  • 2

    Extensive Thermal Derating Guidance & EMI Reports

    We supply full airflow-versus-temperature derating curves, baseplate conduction guides, and pre-compliance EMC test data alongside engineering sample orders.

  • 3

    Full Material Traceability & Quality Control

    From wafer-level lot numbers to surface mount placement logs, our automated optical inspection (AOI) and 100% final functional test records provide complete lot traceability.

  • 4

    Flexible Semi-Custom & Full-Custom Modifications

    Need non-standard pin lengths, custom trim ranges, unique output voltages, or specialized potting? NetPower provides fast derivative turnarounds with minimal NRE expenses.

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NetPower converter lab testing and qualification
Industry Presence

NetPower Field-Proven Platforms & Global Reach

Showcasing our global power engineering engagements, trade exhibitions, and transportation-grade power modules.

NetPower booth at international battery and power electronics expo
GLOBAL EVENTS

International Power Technology Seminars

NetPower field application engineers regularly demonstrate low-profile 1/16th brick and high-power e-Mobility converters at major power technology conferences worldwide.

Commercial transportation power converters
TRANSPORTATION POWER

Rugged Heavy-Duty Converters

Our encapsulated sixteenth brick modules and heavy-duty transportation power supplies provide sealed, vibration-proof performance for bus lines and commercial vehicles.

5kW EV DC-DC converter module
E-MOBILITY & HIGH POWER

Scalable Power Architecture

From sub-15W board mounted micro-bricks to 5kW vehicle converters, NetPower's design philosophy delivers uniform efficiency and thermal margins.

Procurement & Technical FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters

Addressing the most common engineering, compatibility, thermal, and sourcing inquiries received from global purchasing agents and system design teams.

A standard DOSA-compliant Sixteenth Brick DC-DC converter measures 33.0 mm x 22.9 mm (1.30 in x 0.90 in) with a height profile ranging from 8.5 mm (0.33 in) for open-frame surface-mount / through-hole modules to 12.7 mm (0.50 in) for baseplated or potted encapsulated units. Pin configurations strictly adhere to DOSA standard spacing, enabling pin-to-pin drop-in compatibility across major manufacturers.
A sixteenth brick occupies approximately 43.5% less board real estate than an eighth brick converter (33.0 x 22.9 mm vs 58.4 x 22.9 mm). Historically, eighth bricks were required for power levels above 50W. However, thanks to NetPower's advanced planar transformers, multi-phase topologies, and synchronous rectification, our 1/16th brick modules now routinely deliver up to 120W to 300W+, allowing engineers to replace legacy 1/8th bricks and drastically reduce PCB area without sacrificing output power or thermal performance.
NetPower provides multiple input options to match target industry buses: Standard 2:1 telecom inputs (36V–75V DC, nominal 48V), 4:1 wide industrial inputs (18V–75V DC and 9V–36V DC), ultra-wide battery inputs, and specialized 10:1 continuous wide inputs (14V–160V DC) tailored for railway vehicles under EN50155 requirements.
NetPower modules feature ultra-high operating efficiency (up to 95.5%), minimizing waste heat at the source. For conduction-cooled or sealed environments (such as IP67 outdoor enclosures or railway control boxes), NetPower offers optional integral metal baseplates or fully encapsulated potted packages. These options allow heat to be conducted directly through a thermal pad into an external heatsink or metal chassis, maintaining full load operation even in high ambient temperatures (+85°C to +105°C).
Yes. NetPower's 1/16th brick series are engineered to meet DOSA footprint and pinout specifications, positive or negative remote ON/OFF control logic, and output voltage trim range functions. Our application engineering team can review your current competitor part numbers (e.g., Delta, SynQor, Vicor, Murata, Artesyn) and provide a validated form-fit-function cross-reference guide along with sample units for bench validation.
Every NetPower sixteenth brick power module is produced under ISO9001 and IATF16949 certified quality management systems. Modules undergo 100% automated optical inspection (AOI), in-circuit parametric testing, and 100% full-load burn-in screening. Products are fully compliant with RoHS 3, REACH, CE, and safety standards UL/EN 62368-1. All standard modules carry a comprehensive manufacturer warranty supported by our global sales and technical support network.
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High-Density Board-Mounted Power Conversion: Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters

NetPower Technologies, Inc. is a recognized industry innovator in high-efficiency, high-density isolated DC-DC power converters and point-of-load (POL) regulators. Our extensive portfolio of isolated board-mounted DC-DC converters spans from sub-15W micro-modules to over 1000W high-power bricks available in standard 1/32nd brick, 1/16th brick, 1/8th brick, quarter brick, half brick, and full brick footprints.

Designed for demanding operational environments, NetPower Sixteenth Brick DC-DC Converters deliver industry-leading power density, low ripple and noise, high isolation ratings (up to 2250 VDC), and flexible input voltage ranges (including 9-36V, 18-75V, 36-75V, and 14-160V continuous). Whether upgrading a legacy 48V telecommunications line card, engineering an AI server intermediate bus shelf, designing an industrial PLC system, or deploying EN50155 compliant railway instrumentation, NetPower standard and custom power modules provide proven field reliability and seamless supply chain integration.

For custom pinout modifications, thermal baseplates, specialized output voltage trimming, or high-volume OEM pricing requests, contact our global sales and engineering team today or submit a request directly through our Online Support Portal.

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