EPC8010 100 V gallium nitride FET is optimized for high frequency applications with positive gain into the 3 GHz range.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – January 2014 – Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN^®) power FETs extends its family of high-speed, high performance transistors with the EPC8010 power transistor. Sold in die form, the EPC8010 is a mere 1.75 mm² with 100 V_DS. Optimized for high speed switching, the EPC8010 has a maximum R_DS(on) of 160 milliohms and input gate charge in the hundreds of pico-coulombs.

The quality of sound reproduced by an audio amplifier, measured by critical performance parameters such as THD (Total Harmonic Distortion), damping factor (DF), and T-IMD (Inter-modulation Distortion), is influenced by the characteristics of the switching transistors used. Class-D audio amplifiers typically use power MOSFETs, however, lower conduction losses, faster switching speed, and zero reverse recovery losses provided by enhancement-mode GaN (eGaN) FETs enable a significant increase in the sonic quality, and higher efficiency that can eliminate heatsinks. The result is a system with better sound quality in a smaller form factor that can be built at a lower cost.

EEWeb
By: Alex Lidow
February, 2014

Enhancement-mode gallium nitride transistors have been commercially available for over four years and have infiltrated many applications previously monopolized by the aging silicon power MOSFET. There are many benefits derived from the latest generation eGaN® FETs in new emerging applications such as highly resonant wireless power transfer, RF envelope tracking, and class-D audio. This article will examine the rapidly evolving trend of conversion from power MOSFETs to gallium nitride transistors in these new applications.

Power Pulse
By: Alex Lidow
February, 2014

EPC9013 development board features 100 V eGaN FETs with a 35 A maximum output current using four half-bridge configuration in parallel and a single onboard gate drive.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—February, 2014 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) introduces the EPC9013 development board featuring the 100 V EPC2001 enhancement mode (eGaN®) field effect transistor (FET) operating up to a 35 A maximum output current in Buck mode using a four half-bridge configuration in parallel and a single onboard gate drive. This innovative design increases output power without sacrificing efficiency.

A highly resonant, loosely coupled, 6.78 MHz ISM band wireless power transfer will be presented that show how eGaN FETs are enabling this technology. This column will show efficient wireless energy transfer using current eGaN FETs, and present examples of a voltage mode class D and class E approach.

EEWeb
By: Alex Lidow
January, 2014

Examining new products released by: Texas Instruments, Analog Devices, Linear Technology, Maxim-Integrated, Intersil, Fairchild, EPC, and IR, Don Tuite finds a common thread: the companies’ products are doing the heavy lifting for their customers.

Electronic Design
Don Tuite
January 6, 2014

EPC component models have been included in National Instruments’ Multisim 13.0, which is now available to thousands of engineers to improve power system efficiency, reduce final product size, reduce development cost in their power conversion system designs.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — December 2013 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, (www.epc-co.com) the leader in enhancement mode gallium nitride FET technology, announces today that its enhancement mode gallium nitride transistors (eGaN® FETs) SPICE models have been included in the latest version of National Instruments’ Multisim circuit simulation and design software. The Multisim toolkit enables engineers to easily calculate, change and sweep critical component parameters in advanced power conversion system applications.

In this installment a return to hard-switching converters is made, but with a push to higher frequencies – beyond the practical limits of silicon technology.

EEWeb
By: Alex Lidow
December, 2013

Award winning EPC9005 development board facilitates rapid design of high frequency switching power conversion systems based on the 40 V EPC2014 eGaN FET

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – November 2013 - Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (www.epc-co.com; www.epc-co.com.cn) announces that its EPC9005 development board has been recognized with two industry awards in China; namely, Optimized Development Award of the Top 10 Power Products Award 2013 presented by Electronics Product China and Leading Product Award of China Innovation Award 2013 presented by EDN China magazine.

EPC9106 Class D audio amplifier reference design, using high frequency switching gallium nitride power transistors, demonstrates efficiency enhancement, size reduction and eliminates need for a heat sink while delivering prosumer quality sound.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — November 2013 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) introduces the EPC9106, a reference design for a 150 W, 8 Ω Class D audio amplifier. This demonstration board uses a Bridge-Tied-Load (BTL) design, composed of four ground-referenced half-bridge output stages, which allows scalability and expandability of the design. All elements that can impact the sonic performance of Class D Audio systems are minimized or eliminated in an eGaN FET-based system.

Power conversion at switching frequencies of 10 MHz and above requires both high-speed transistors and high frequency capable packaging. eGaN FETs have demonstrated their ability to improve high frequency power conversion compared with the aging power MOSFET by providing unmatched device performance as well as packaging.

Bodo’s Power Systems
Guest Editorial: Alex Lidow
November, 2013

Enhancement mode gallium nitride transistors have been commercially available for over four years and have infiltrated many applications previously monopolized by the aging silicon power MOSFET.

Power Pulse
By: Alex Lidow
October, 2013

EPC's David Reusch talks about enhancement mode GaN and the package-less package that helps reduce losses.

Electronic Products
October, 2013
Watch Interview

Commercial high-lead versions of EPC’s popular enhancement mode gallium nitride (eGaN) FETs, the EPC2801, EPC2815, and EPC2818, are now available.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — October 2013 — (www.epc-co.com) Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) introduces devices with a high-lead solder termination ideal for applications requiring higher temperature solder. The EPC2801, EPC2815, and EPC2818 feature high-lead content (95% lead, 5% tin) solder terminations.

With the introduction of this family of eGaN® FETs, power systems and RF designers now have access to high performance gallium nitride power transistors enabling innovative designs not achievable with silicon.

October, 2013
Bodo's Power Systems

In this installment more complex hard switching converters used for isolated DC to DC power conversion will be discussed.

EEWeb
By: Alex Lidow
October, 2013

In this EDN article Steve Taranovich explores the envelope tracking system as a potential solution to the notoriously inefficient wideband power amplifiers (PAs) used I wireless telecom and other base station transmitters. An ET solution implementing high speed eGaN FETs in a multi-phase buck converter is explored.
http://www.edn.com/design/power-management/4422469/Enhancing-the-inefficiency-of-an-RF-power-amp--The-envelope-tracking--ET--system

Global electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corporation, the industry leader in electronic component selection, availability and delivery, today announced new inventory of Gallium Nitride (GaN) power management products, available for immediate shipment as part of an exclusive global distribution agreement with Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) http://www.digikey.com/us/en/press-release/epc-gan-global-distribution-agreement.html

Bandgap materials GaN and SiC are generating significant buzz globally. Demand for GaN devices used in power electronics applications expected to grow strongly

http://www.compoundsemiconductor.net/csc/news-details/id/19736817/name/GaN-in-power-electronics-application.html

EPC2018 gallium nitride power transistor delivers high frequency switching for exceptional performance in DC-DC power conversion and Class D Audio applications.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – September 2013 – Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (www.epc-co.com) introduces the EPC2018 as the newest member of EPC’s family of enhancement mode gallium nitride power transistors.