AEK-POW-PDUMINI Power Distribution Unit Board

Introduction

The STMicroelectronics AEK-POW-PDUMINI is a compact power distribution unit (PDU) board designed for automotive low-voltage electrical systems. It supports intelligent distribution, control, and protection of 12 V and 48 V power rails near vehicle loads.

Part Description

The AEK-POW-PDUMINI Power Distribution Unit Board provides a platform for managing power delivery in modern vehicle electrical architectures. Rather than relying solely on conventional fuses and centralized distribution hardware, the board uses eFuse-protected high-side drivers to electronically switch, monitor, and protect connected loads.

Its SPI control interface enables a host controller to configure and supervise power channels. Standby power-management features help reduce energy consumption when the vehicle is inactive, while CAN-FD wake-up capability allows the board to respond to vehicle-network activity. By placing power distribution closer to loads, the board can support more modular wiring architectures and improved diagnostic visibility.

Key characteristics include:

• Designed for 12 V and 48 V automotive power systems
• Compact power distribution unit form factor
• eFuse-protected high-side driver architecture
• SPI-based control and diagnostics
• Standby power-management support
• CAN-FD wake-up functionality
• Suitable for distributed and zone-based vehicle power architectures

Applications

Potential applications for the AEK-POW-PDUMINI include:

• Automotive power distribution modules
• Zone control units
• Body control systems
• Electric vehicle auxiliary power networks
• 48 V mild-hybrid electrical subsystems
• Lighting and exterior lamp power management
• Seat, door, mirror, and window control modules
• Thermal management and cooling subsystems
• Vehicle infotainment and connectivity power rails
• Commercial vehicle electrical distribution systems

Industries

Possible industries for this board include:

• Automotive manufacturing
• Electric vehicle development
• Commercial and heavy-duty vehicles
• Agricultural and construction equipment
• Industrial mobility systems
• Marine and recreational vehicles
• Fleet and specialty vehicle engineering
• Automotive electronics research and prototyping

Usage Ideas

1. Zone-Based Vehicle Controller
   Build a prototype zone controller that distributes protected power to local lighting, sensors, actuators, and convenience features through electronically controlled output channels.

2. 48 V Auxiliary Power Demonstrator
   Develop a 48 V vehicle subsystem demonstrator for managing pumps, fans, blowers, or other auxiliary loads with fault protection and remote monitoring.

3. CAN-FD Smart Power Module
   Create a CAN-FD-connected power distribution module that wakes on network traffic, enables selected loads, and reports fault or power-channel status to a central vehicle controller.

Conclusion

The STMicroelectronics AEK-POW-PDUMINI is a practical development board for exploring compact, intelligent automotive power distribution. With eFuse-based protection, SPI control, low-power standby capabilities, and CAN-FD wake-up support, it is well suited to prototyping modern 12 V and 48 V vehicle electrical architectures that require reliable, distributed power management.