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Design Higher Density and Lower Cost Lidar Systems with New 80 V, 15 A GaN eToF™ Laser Driver IC

Design Higher Density and Lower Cost Lidar Systems with New 80 V, 15 A GaN eToF™ Laser Driver IC

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.

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Richtek and EPC Collaborate to Create Small 140 Watt Fast-charging Solution

Richtek and EPC Collaborate to Create Small 140 Watt Fast-charging Solution

EPC and Richtek introduce a reference design that achieves greater than 98% efficiency using the RT6190 buck boost controller and EPC2204 EPC GaN FETs

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—  January 2023 — EPC & Richtek announces the availability of a 4-switches bidirectional buck-boost controller reference design board that converts an input voltage of 12 V - 24 V to a regulated 5 V - 20 V output voltage and delivers up to 5 A continuous current and 6.5 A maximum current. The combination of the new Richtek RT6190 controller with ultra-efficient EPC2204 GaN FETs from EPC shrinks the solution size by greater than 20% compared to traditional solutions for high-power density applications.  The solution achieves greater than 98% efficiency for 20 V and 12 V output voltage and can operate without heatsink with maximum rise temperature below 15 degC for 20 V to 5 V, and 55 degC for 12 V to 20 V, at 5 A continuous current.

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GaN’s Evolution from Science Project to Mainstream Power Conductor

GaN’s Evolution from Science Project to Mainstream Power Conductor

Power-conversion technologies are experiencing the first tectonic shift since the move from bipolar to MOS. That shift, of course, is due to the viral adoption of wide-bandgap power devices. At this point, GaN is more than a specialty technology; it is a broad-scale replacement for silicon MOSFETs in applications ranging from 30 V up to 650 V — a multibillion-dollar market.

Power Electronics News
December, 2022
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Lowest On-resistance 150 V and 200 V Transistors on the Market Now Shipping from GaN Leader EPC

Lowest On-resistance 150 V and 200 V Transistors on the Market Now Shipping from GaN Leader EPC

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) introduces the 150 V, 3 mΩ EPC2305 and the 200 V, 5 mΩ EPC2304 GaN FETs offering higher performance and smaller solution size and cost for DC-DC conversion, AC/DC SMPS and chargers, solar optimizers and microinverters, and motor drives.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— December 2022 — EPC, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride FETs and ICs, introduces the 150 V, 3 mΩ EPC2305 and the 200 V, 5 mΩ EPC2304 GaN FETs in a thermally enhanced QFN package with exposed top and tiny 3 mm x 5 mm footprint.

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eBook: The Next Silicon Frontier

eBook: The Next Silicon Frontier

Despite the continued progress in traditional transistor scaling, the semiconductor industry has reached an inflection point. The demand for faster, smaller, smarter, and more energy-efficient chips calls for new design and manufacturing paradigms. This eBook includes contributions from technology and market experts Malcolm Penn, Future Horizons; Tim Burgess and Bernd Westhoff, Renesas Electronics; Jean-Christophe Eloy, Yole Group; Luc Van den hove, imec; Ezgi Dogmus, Poshun Chiu, and Taha Ayari, Yole Intelligence; Alex Lidow, Efficient Power Conversion; Victor Veliadis, PowerAmerica; Richard Collins and Yu-Han Chang, IDTechEx; and Jean-René Lèquepeys, CEA-Leti.

EETimes
December, 2022
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eGaN FETs Enable More Than 4-kW/in3 Power Density for 48 V to 12 V Power Conversion

eGaN FETs Enable More Than 4-kW/in3 Power Density for 48 V to 12 V Power Conversion

Growing computational power and miniaturization of electronics in computing and data centers is increasingly putting pressure on 48-V power delivery and conversion systems. High-efficiency and high-power–density converters enable a reduction in power losses at the system level while allowing smaller form factors. In this context, LLC resonant topologies combined with GaN technology succeed to deliver outstanding performance, as it has been demonstrated with multiple examples. This article will show the key design parameters and components to achieve beyond 4 kW/in3 of power density in a 48-V to 12-V LLC converter using eGaN® FETs.

Power Electronics News
December, 2022
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New Automotive Qualified GaN FETs for Vehicle Electronics and Advanced Autonomy from EPC

New Automotive Qualified GaN FETs for Vehicle Electronics and Advanced Autonomy from EPC

EPC introduces two new 80 V AEC-Q101 qualified GaN FETs, offering designers significantly smaller and more efficient solutions than silicon MOSFETs for automotive 48 V- 12 V DC-DC conversion, infotainment, and lidar for autonomous driving.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — November 2022 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN®) FETs and ICs, expands the selection of automotive, off-the-shelf gallium nitride transistors with the introduction of 80 V, 6 mΩ EPC2204A that delivers 125 A pulsed current in a 2.5 mm x 1.5 mm footprint and the 80 V, 3.2 mΩ EPC2218A that delivers 231 A pulsed current is a 3.5 mm x 1.95 mm footprint, offering designers significantly smaller and more efficient devices than silicon MOSFETs for automotive DC-DC for 48V-12V conversion, infotainment, and lidar for autonomous driving.

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EPC and VIS Announce Joint Collaboration on 8-inch Gallium Nitride Power Semiconductor Manufacturing

EPC and VIS Announce Joint Collaboration on 8-inch Gallium Nitride Power Semiconductor Manufacturing

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) strengthens market leadership in gallium nitride power conversion by adding significant 8-inch manufacturing capacities in collaboration with Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS).

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— December 6, 2022 — EPC, the world’s leader in gallium nitride (GaN) power FETs and integrated circuits (ICs), and Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS), a leading specialty IC foundry service provider, today jointly announced a multi-year production agreement to produce gallium nitride-based power semiconductors. EPC will utilize VIS’ 8-inch (200 mm) wafer fabrication capabilities, significantly increasing manufacturing capacities for EPC’s high-performance GaN transistors and integrated circuits. Manufacturing will commence in early 2023.

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GaN-Based Low-Voltage Inverter for Electric Scooter Drive System

GaN-Based Low-Voltage Inverter for Electric Scooter Drive System

This paper deals with the application of the latest generation low voltage (up to 80 V) Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices for motor drive applications in the field of electric micro-mobility. A two-level inverter topology oriented to light electric traction (such as electric scooters) with a power rate of 1500 W has been considered. An experimental board using two GaN FETs in parallel connection for each switch of an inverter leg has been arranged. The intrinsic parameters spread of the device, as well as the leakage inductances of both the circuit and the PCB, to evaluate the impact on the current share during both the transient phase and in the steady state have been investigated. In the paper, several simulation runs have been carried out and described. Furthermore, the inverter experimental board has been used to evaluate the phase voltages and currents at different load conditions. Finally, the temperature limits versus phase current variation have been evaluated.

IEEE 2022 AEIT International Annual Conference (AEIT)
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Podcast: GaN Devices for Space Applications

Podcast: GaN Devices for Space Applications

GaN power devices should be the ideal choice for power conversion applications in space because they are more robust than rad hard MOSFETs when exposed to various forms of radiation. The electrical and thermal performance of GaN has also demonstrated superior operation in a space environment. In this podcast, Bel Lazar, Chief Executive Officer of EPC Space, will analyze the importance of GaN for the space industry. In addition to his role as CEO of EPC Space, Bel currently serves as COO of Efficient Power Conversion (EPC).

EETimes
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EPC Launches a New Generation of eGaN Technology that Doubles Performance

EPC Launches a New Generation of eGaN Technology that Doubles Performance

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) introduces the 80 V, 4 mOhm EPC2619 GaN FET in tiny 1.5 mm x 2.5 mm footprint, offering higher performance and smaller solution size than traditional MOSFETs for high power density applications, including DC-DC conversion, motor drives, and synchronous rectification for 12 V – 20 V.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— November 2022 — EPC, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride (GaN) power FETs and ICs, launches the 80 V, 4 mOhm EPC2619. This is the lead product for a new generation of eGaN devices that have double the power density compared to EPC’s prior-generation products.

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The True Cost of Global Energy

The True Cost of Global Energy

EPC’s mission is to make GaN power devices that are higher performance and lower cost compared to silicon. GaN devices increase power density, improve efficiency and enable new applications and with the rising cost of energy globally, it is no surprise that the adoption rate of our GaN devices is accelerating dramatically.

Bodo’s Power Systems
November, 2022
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Podcast: GaN and Silicon Carbide | Meeting New Efficiency Standards in The Green Revolution

Podcast: GaN and Silicon Carbide | Meeting New Efficiency Standards in The Green Revolution

As energy efficiency standards increase, high-voltage Silicon Carbide and low-voltage GaN are replacing traditional silicon, enabling cooler, lighter, and more powerful electronics. Join Guy Moxey and Alex Lidow, EPC CEO and Co-founder, and explore how Wolfspeed and EPC technologies complement one another in the race towards a more sustainable future.

Wolfspeed
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Solarnative Uses GaN Devices to Solve the Challenge of Solar Power Installation with its New Microinverter that Integrates into the Module Frame

Solarnative Uses GaN Devices to Solve the Challenge of Solar Power Installation with its New Microinverter that Integrates into the Module Frame

GaN FETs help Solarnative achieve industry-leading power density for solar microinverters, enabling module frame integration to solve the challenges of solar power installation.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— November 2022 Solarnative uses GaN devices in its new microinverter to achieve industry-best power density.  The Power Stick is the smallest inverter in the world, with dimensions of 23.9 by 23,2 by 404 millimeters. With an AC output power of 350 W, the volume of 0.19 liters corresponds to a power density of 1.6 kW per liter. By comparison, the IQ 7A microinverter from a market leading supplier delivers 349 watts with a volume of 1.12 liters, corresponding to 0.31 kW per liter – not even one-fifth of the Solarnative device. Despite the extreme size reduction, the European efficiencies are quite comparable, at 96.0 percent for the Power Stick and 96.5 percent for the IQ 7A.

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GaN Power Behind Mild Hybrid Vehicle Electrification

GaN Power Behind Mild Hybrid Vehicle Electrification

With increasing legislation aimed at higher fuel efficiency standards, vehicle manufacturers are searching for cost-effective solutions to meet these demands while still providing the power required for ever-increasing electronically driven functions.  This article details a bi-directional high power converter for mild-hybrid cars and battery backup units using GaN FETs to achieve efficiency exceeding 96% when converting from 48 V to 14.3 V at 500 kHz switching frequency.

Power Electronics Europe
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