Patent ID: 7996987

Claim:
A power module method, comprising: selecting a first power module footprint size from a plurality of power module footprint sizes for a power module that includes a controller and a power transistor, said first power module footprint size being used by each of a first plurality of power modules that each have a power output that falls within a first power range, said plurality of power module footprint sizes also including a second power module footprint size that is used by each of a second plurality of power modules that each have a power output that falls within a second power range different from said first power range; designing a board layout using said selected first power module footprint size, a space in said board layout defined by said selected first power module footprint size supporting an installation of any one of said first plurality of power modules; after completion of said board layout design, measuring an actual amount of power consumed by one or more loads served by said power module; selecting one of said first plurality of power modules for use in said board layout based on said power measurement; and installing said selected one of said first plurality of power modules in a circuit board having said board layout.