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EPC Announces a Full Range of Wireless Power Demonstration Kits That Can Be Used to Design Systems That Power Anything from Lamps to Laptops

EPC Announces a Full Range of Wireless Power Demonstration Kits That Can Be Used to Design Systems That Power Anything from Lamps to Laptops

Superior characteristics of eGaN® FETs and ICs, such as low output capacitance, low input capacitance, low parasitic inductances, and small size used in these demonstration kits show that GaN FETs and ICs are ideal for increasing efficiency in highly resonant, AirFuel™ Alliance compatible wireless power transfer systems.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—October 2017 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) today announces the availability of two new demonstration kits -- the EPC9127, a complete wireless power kit including a 10 W, class 2 amplifier, category 3 receiver device and the EPC9128, consisting of a 16 W, class 3 amplifier and two receiver devices (categories 3 and 4). These systems, coupled with previously announced EPC9120, 33 W class 4 and the EPC9121 multi-mode kit capable of operating to either an AirFuel Class 2 standard with a category 3 device or a Qi (A6)/PMA standard with a compatible receiving device provide a full range of wireless power demonstration kits to allow for complete, wide-spread implementation.

With the introduction of these demonstration kits, EPC covers a wide range of the AirFuel resonant technology standard. The popularity of resonant wireless power transfer is increasing rapidly, with end applications evolving quickly from mere cell phone battery charging, to the powering of large surface areas where handheld tablets, laptops, and computers – and, soon TV sets, lamps, other electrically powered appliances – simultaneously anywhere on the surface.

The purpose of these demonstration kits is to simplify the evaluation process of using eGaN FETs and ICs for highly efficient wireless power transfer.  The kits, operating at 6.78 MHz (the lowest ISM band) utilize the high frequency switching capability of EPC gallium nitride transistors to facilitate wireless power systems. The efficiency of these systems is about 87% from input to the amplifier to the output of the receiver (end-to-end), and with future improvements in architecture and GaN IC technology this number can reach into the 95% range.

Demonstration Kits

The EPC9127 wireless power system consists of three boards:

  • A Source Board (Transmitter or Power Amplifier) EPC9510
  • A Class 2 AirFuel Alliance compliant Source Coil (Transmit Coil)
  • A Category 3 AirFuel Alliance compliant Receiving Device EPC9513

The EPC9128 wireless power system consists of four boards:

  • A Source Board (Transmitter or Power Amplifier) EPC9509
  • A Class 3 AirFuel Alliance compliant Source Coil (Transmit Coil)
  • A Category 3 AirFuel Alliance compliant Receiving Device EPC9513
  • A Category 4 AirFuel Alliance compliant Receiving Device EPC9515