This article discusses the advantages of GaN-based power stages and introduces a sample device from EPC, implemented in a half-bridge topology. It explains how to use associated development kits to quickly get started on a project. In the process, designers will learn how to measure the parameters of a BLDC motor and operate it in sensorless field orientation control (FOC) with minimal programming effort using Microchip Technology’s motorBench Development Suite.

Digi-Key Electronics
April, 2023
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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) expands its family of footprint compatible ePower™ Stage ICs to boost power density and simplify design for different power requirements in DC-DC applications, motor drives, and class-d audio amplifiers.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— March 2023 — EPC announces the introduction of two new 100 V power stage ICs rated at 15 A (EPC23104) and 25 A (EPC23103). The two devices join the 100 V 35 A power stage IC EPC23102 offered by EPC.

EPC’s GaN Experts will be available during APEC, showcasing the latest generation of GaN FETs and ICs in a wide variety of real-world applications.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — March 2023 — EPC, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride FETs and ICs,will be delivering multiple technical presentations at the premier power electronics conference; the IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition (APEC 2023) in Orlando from March 19^th through the 23^rd (see detailed schedule below).  In addition, the company will demonstrate it’s latest generation of eGaN^® FETs and ICs in applications ranging from high-power density computing, eMobility, robotics, solar power, battery charging, and more in booth # 732 in the Orange County Convention Center.  Stop by to see the ‘Wall of GaN’ – the broadest portfolio of GaN power semiconductors in the market available for off-the-shelf delivery.

Five times smaller than an equivalent silicon MOSFET and twice as powerful as the previous generation of eGaN devices is the new sixth generation of devices introduced by Efficient Power Conversion (EPC). We asked CEO Alex Lidow in the video.

Electroniknet.de
November 29, 2022
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Aiming at laser time-of-flight lidar, Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) has introduced an 80V 15A pulse laser driver IC.

Electronics Weekly
January, 2023
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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) introduces EPC21701, an 80 V laser driver IC capable of 15 A pulsed current for time-of-flight (ToF) lidar applications including vacuum cleaners, robotics, 3D security cameras and 3D sensing. 

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— January 2023 — EPC announces the introduction of the EPC21701, a laser driver that monolithically integrates an 80 V, 40 A FET with gate driver and 3.3 logic level input into a single chip for time-of-flight lidar systems used in robotics, surveillance systems, and vacuum cleaners. It is tailored to lidar systems for gesture recognition, time of flight (ToF) measurement, robotic vision, or industrial safety.

Richtek, the global leading analog IC design company has teamed up with EPC, the leading provider of gallium nitride (GaN)-based power management technology to launch a new reference design for fast charging applications, achieving high power density and up to 98% efficiency.

DigiTimes
January, 2023
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From Nov. 15 to 18, electronica 2022 will bring the international electronics industry together at the Munich exhibition grounds. Wide Bandgap Semiconductors, Renewable Energies, Smart Grid, and Energy Storage will be the major topics covered by the Power Electronics Forum at electronica 2022. In this podcast, onsemi president and CEO Hassane El-Khoury, Silanna Semiconductor North America CEO Mark Drucker, and of Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) CEO Alex Lidow will introduce the Power Electronics Forum. Interview with Alex Lidow starts at 31:55

EETimes
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Gallium nitride devices are leading the innovation in power conversion. The benefits of GaN-based inverters are becoming increasingly evident in motor drive applications.

Power Electronics News
October, 2022
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As the level of automation increases in machines, detailed awareness of the surroundings becomes necessary. Time-of-flight based 3D imaging systems have become the eyes of machines. eGaN^® technology has been the workhorse of laser drivers for these systems, enabling the resolution to make intelligent decisions.

Bodo’s Power Systems
October, 2022
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The EPC9176 GaN-based inverter reference design enhances motor drive system performance, range, precision, torque, all while simplifying design. The extremely small size of this inverter allows integration into the motor housing resulting in the lowest EMI, highest density, and lowest weight.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— October, 2022 — EPC announces the availability of the EPC9176, a 3-phase BLDC motor drive inverter using the EPC23102 ePower™ Stage GaN IC with embedded gate driver function and two GaN FETs with 5.2 mΩ typical R_DS(on). The EPC9176 operates from an input supply voltage between 20 V and 80 V and can deliver up to 28 Apk (20 A_RMS). This voltage range and power level makes the solution ideal for a variety of 3-Phase BLDC motor drive applications with 36 V – 80 V input including eBikes, eScooters, power tools, drones, robots, DC servo, medical robots and factory automation.

New Motor Drive Center of Excellence (CoE) design center in Turin, Italy, to help customers exploit the power of GaN for growing motor drive applications

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— September, 2022 —   EPC has opened a new design application center near Turin, Italy, to focus on growing motor drive applications based on GaN technology in the e-mobility, robotics, drones, and industrial automation markets.  The specialist team will support customers in accelerating their design cycles and define future Integrated Circuits for power management with state-of-the art equipment to test applications from 400 W to 10’s of kW.

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) introduces the latest ePower™ Stage IC that integrates a complete GaN half-bridge power stage capable of up to 35 A at 1 MHz operation offering higher performance and smaller solution size for high power density applications including DC-DC conversion, motor drives, and class-d audio amplifiers.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— August 2022 — EPC announces the introduction of a 100 V, 35 A integrated circuit designed for 48 V DC-DC conversion used in high-density computing applications and in 48 V BLDC motor drives for e-mobility, robotics, and drones.  

The latest ePower™ integrated circuits based on gallium nitride technology by Efficient Power Conversion are revolutionizing motor drive applications such as industrial drones, e-bikes, scooters, power tools.

Bodo’s Power Systems
April, 2022
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In this article, the most common reasons for some customers to be slower in their embracing what is clearly a displacement technology for their older silicon-based power MOSFETs will be discussed. Without going into the detailed statistics, a list of reasons, in order of frequency is derived. This list is based upon the understanding that some applications will place higher emphasis than others on certain characteristics of GaN. Our discussion is limited to devices rated at less than 400 V, as that is the application focus for Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) FET and IC products.

Power Systems Design
March, 2022
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The EPC9170 is a two-phase, regulated output voltage, 48 V – 14 V bidirectional converter that delivers 2 kW with 96.8% peak efficiency

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— January 2022 — EPC announces the availability of the EPC9170, a 2 kW, two-phase 48 V – 14 V bidirectional converter that operates with 96.8% peak efficiency in a small footprint. The board features the ePower™ 100 V, 65 A integrated circuit chipset. The chipset includes the EPC23101 eGaN^® IC plus EPC2302 eGaN^® FET for a solution capable of a maximum withstand voltage of 100 V, delivering up to 65 A load current, while capable of switching speeds greater than 1 MHz.

EPC announces the introduction of a 100 V, 65 A integrated circuit chipset designed for 48 V DC-DC conversion used in high-density computing applications and in 48 V BLDC motor drives for e-mobility, robotics, and drones.

The EPC23101 eGaN IC plus EPC2302 eGaN FET offers a new ePower Chipset capable of a maximum withstand voltage of 100 V, delivering up to 65 A load current, while capable of switching speeds greater than 1 MHz.

EE World Online
December, 2021
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November 3, 2021 - Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC), the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN^®) power FETs and ICs, has won the Product of the Year 2021 – Power Semiconductor/Driver IC of the prestigious World Electronics Achievement Awards (WEAA) for EPC21601 eToF™ Laser Driver IC.

The WEAA scheme honors products that have made outstanding contributions to the innovation and development of the electronics industry worldwide. A committee comprising of ASPENCORE global senior industry analysts and online users worldwide select the winners. ASPENCORE is the largest electronics industry media and SaaS group in the world featuring media titles including EE Times and EDN.

The EPC2152 ePower™ Stage enables higher performance and smaller solution size for high performance, low-cost BLDC motors as demonstrated in the EPC9146 demonstration board.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— May, 2021 — EPC announces the availability of the EPC9146, a 400 W motor drive demonstration. The EPC9146 power board contains three independently controlled half bridge circuits, featuring the EPC2152 monolithic ePower™ Stage with integrated gate driver, 80 V maximum device voltage, 15 A (10 A_RMS) maximum output current. The inverter board measures just 81 mm x 75 mm and achieve an efficiency of greater than 98.4% at 400 W output power.

Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) are the new frontline in power conversion, and that takes design engineers into a whole new frequency spectrum, as well as power density and form factor opportunities.

EDN Editorial Advisory Board
December, 2020
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