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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Introduces Plug and Play 97% Efficient Half-Bridge Converter DrGaNPLUS Evaluation Board Featuring Gallium Nitride Transisto

DrGaNPLUS EPC9202 100 V, 10 A board demonstrates the extreme size reduction and efficiency enhancement for power conversion achieved using high frequency switching eGaN® power transistors

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— May 2014 — Providing an easy-to-use way for power systems designers to evaluate the exceptional performance of gallium nitride transistors, Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) introduces DrGaNPLUS evaluation boards. These boards are proof-of-concept designs that integrate all necessary components of a half-bridge circuit into a single, extremely small PCB-based module that can be readily mounted to demonstrate the excellent performance of a GaN transistor power conversion solution.

The first DrGaNPLUS board, the EPC9202, a 100 V, 10 A half-bridge power converter is a “plug and play” evaluation board that designers can use to quickly and easily evaluate the high performance gained with gallium nitride power transistors.  As an example, this board reaches 97% peak efficiency with Vin = 48 V and VOUT = 12 V, a common power conversion for telecom applications.

The EPC9202 can be driven by a single PWM input and features two EPC2001 eGaN FETs, the Texas Instrument’s LM5113 driver, and high frequency input capacitors. This DrGaNPLUS board is small, only a little over 9 mm on a side, and can mount directly onto a printed circuit board. It has been designed with an optimal layout to minimize the debilitating effects of common source and high frequency power commutation loop inductances.

Features

Benefits

  • 97% peak efficiency (VIN =48 V to VOUT = 12 V
  • Increased power density
  • All necessary components and optimal layout techniques
  • Easy evaluation for faster time to market
  • Easy mount PC board with single PWM input
  • Plug-and-Play assembly
  • High frequency eGaN FETs
  • Lower system size and cost