Sourcing a 2017 EOL Vicor Pre-Regulator for a U.S. Aerospace & Defense Integrator

Customer Profile

A U.S.-based systems integrator supporting high-reliability missions. Their platforms are utilized in ruggedized environments where power density and thermal efficiency are critical for long-lifecycle electronic systems.

The Challenge

The customer required the Vicor MP028T036M12AL, a specialized Pre-Regulator Module (PRM). Sourcing this component presented extreme difficulties:

• EOL / Obsolete: The part went End-of-Life in 2017, making original factory stock virtually non-existent in the open market.

• Complex Power Architecture: Vicor’s Factorized Power Architecture (FPA) relies on the precise synergy between the PRM and a downstream Voltage Transformation Module (VTM).

• No Drop-in Replacement: Newer Vicor generations utilize different pinouts and control logic, meaning any substitute would require a complete PCB redesign.

• High Market Risk: Given the age of the part, the risk of receiving "pulls," refurbished units, or improperly stored components was high.

• Validation Overhead: In mission-critical applications, changing a power converter involves extensive re-testing for EMI/EMC compliance and thermal stability.

Why the Component Is Critical

The MP028T036M12AL is central to:

• Factorized Power Systems: Providing high-efficiency regulation from a wide-range input (28V-50V) to a stabilized 36V bus.

• Ruggedized Computing: Powering sensitive processing boards in aerospace and defense hardware.

• Thermal Management: Its unique "M-Grade" rating ensures operational integrity in extreme temperature ranges (-55°C to +125°C).

  In this application, any deviation in the regulation buck-boost stage could compromise the downstream VTM, leading to total system power failure in the field.

The Product

Vicor MP028T036M12AL – PRM Regulator

• Output: 36V @ 3.3A (120W)

• Input Range: 28V – 50V DC

• Grade: M-Grade (Military/Aerospace Temp Specs)

• Form Factor: Half-brick / Through-Hole

  Its ability to maintain high efficiency across a wide input swing makes it a cornerstone of legacy high-reliability power chains.

Maketronics’ Role: Sourcing with Certified Testing Assurance

Maketronics leveraged its audited global sourcing network to secure:

• New & Original MP028T036M12AL units that had been preserved in controlled storage.

• Authentic "M-Grade" inventory verified to meet extreme environment specifications.

  To address the nearly decade-long gap since the EOL date, all units were subjected to risk-based testing in accordance with AS6081 standards at a certified independent laboratory. This rigorous validation process ensured that the internal silicon and external mechanical integrity met original factory standards, providing the client with the technical certainty required for deployment.

Results Delivered

• Customer received fully tested, new & original units

• Guaranteed performance across the full military temperature range

• No redesign or system revalidation required, saving months of engineering time

• Project continuity secured for a critical legacy platform

Key Takeaway

When high-performance power modules go EOL, a simple "cross-reference" is rarely an option. Maketronics combines deep sourcing expertise with AS6081-compliant testing to deliver authentic, high-reliability components that have been off the shelf for years. When mission-critical power depends on legacy Vicor architecture, Maketronics ensures continuity without compromise.