Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) publishes Phase-14 Reliability Report, which adds to the extensive knowledge and demonstrates a robustness capability unmatched by silicon power devices.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— February 2022 — EPC announces its Phase-14 Reliability Report, documenting the strategy used to achieve a remarkable field reliability record. The rapid adoption of GaN devices in many diverse applications calls for the continued accumulation of reliability statistics and research into the fundamental physics of failure in GaN devices. The Phase-14 Reliability Report presents the strategy used to measure and predict lifetime based upon tests that force devices to fail under various conditions. This information can be used to create more robust and and higher performance products for applications such as lidar for autonomous cars, robotics, security, and drones, high power density computing, and satellites, to name just a few.

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.

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) provides engineers with a growing array of design tools, models, and performance simulations for high performance GaN-based designs.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—  January, 2022 — EPC announces the debut of the GaN Power Bench™, a suite of design tools to assist engineers in getting the optimal performance from their GaN-based designs. eGaN^® FETs and ICs provide the fast switching, high efficiency and small size that can meet the stringent power density requirements of today’s leading-edge applications. The tools in the GaN Power Bench assist designers in the selection of the best GaN device for the application, simulate and optimize the thermal performance of the design, and provide application examples with all the supporting documentation needed to quickly and easily replicate the optimal design tips necessary for ideal performance.

Wide-bandgap semiconductors like gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are changing how people are thinking about power. In this video, Electronic Design talks to Alex Lidow, Founder and CEO of Efficient Powert Conversion (EPC), about the growing role of GaN in advanced embedded applications like automotive, among others such as space.

Electronic Design
January, 2022
View video

The year 2021 was a transitional year in which the world decided to open its doors to GaN. In this interview with Power Electronics News during CES week, GaN industry experts confirmed that GaN is now proving its superiority over silicon.

Power Electronics News
January, 2022
Read article

In the field of motion control, there is a growing use of GaN devices, especially in low voltage applications. This paper provides guidelines for designers on the optimal use of GaN FETs in motor control applications, identifying the advantages and discussing the main issues.

Energies Journal
October, 2021
Download and read article

Mature, low-cost manufacturing and proven reliability spur use in EVs, smartphones, and consumer electronics.

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) has logged more than 100 emerging applications for its eGaN FETs and ICs. Alex Lidow, the company’s CEO, said the five fastest-growing applications are lidar systems for robotics, drones, consumer products, driver alertness systems, and autonomous vehicles; DC-DC converters for AI systems, servers, and telecom power systems; motor drives for e-mobility and robotics; satellite systems, including motor drives and DC-DC power supplies that require radiation hardness; and solar power point trackers.

Semiconductor Engineering
December, 2021
Read article

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
Read article

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) introduces the ePower Chipset family that integrates 100 V GaN driver and FETs up to 65 A offering higher performance and smaller solution size for high power density applications including DC-DC conversion and motor drives.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— December 2021 — 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 EPC2070 offers power systems designers a 100 V, 23 mΩ, power transistor capable of 34 A pulsed in an extremely small chip-scale package.  These new devices are ideal for applications such as 60 W, 48 V power converters, Lidar, and LED lighting.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — December 2021 — Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) announces the EPC2070, a 100 V GaN transistor with a maximum R_DS(on) of 23 mΩ and a 34 A pulsed output current for high efficiency power conversion in a tiny 1.1mm² footprint.

Today, the permanent magnet motor, also known as DC brushless motor (BLDC), is widely used and offers higher torque capability per cubic inch and higher dynamics when compared to other motors. So far, silicon-based power devices have been dominant in the inverter electronics, but today their performance is nearing their theoretical limits. There is an increasing need for higher power density. Gallium nitride (GaN) transistors and ICs have the best attributes to satisfy these needs.

Power Systems Design
November, 2021
Read article

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.

As the outer reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere and space are opened to commercial development, motors will become increasingly important to systems places there for various functions. With the inevitability of manufacturing in space, motors – including their drivers – will take on even more functions. Of equal importance will be the motor drivers selected to drive those motors efficiently and reliably.

Components in Electronics
October, 2021
Read article

The EPC9163 is a two-phase, 48 V – 12 V bidirectional converter that delivers 2 kW with 96.5% efficiency in small solution size for mild-hybrid cars and battery power backup units.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— November, 2021 — EPC announces the availability of the EPC9163, a 2 kW, two-phase 48 V – 12 V bidirectional converter that operates with 96.5 % efficiency in a very small footprint. The design of this demonstration board is scalable; that is, two converters can be paralleled to achieve 4 kW or three converters can be paralleled to achieve 6 kW. The board features eight EPC2218 100 V eGaN^® FETs and is controlled by a module that includes the Microchip dsPIC33CK256MP503 16-bit digital controller.

EPC introduces the 40 V, 1.3 milliohm EPC2067 eGaN^® FET offering designers a device that is smaller, more efficient, and more reliable than MOSFETs for high-performance, space-constrained applications.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — October 2021 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power FETs and ICs, expands the selection of low voltage, off-the-shelf gallium nitride transistors with the introduction of the EPC2067 (1.3 mΩ typical, 40 V) eGaN FET. 

A 50 W, 12 V to 60 V eGaN^® FET-based synchronous boost converter achieves 95.3% peak efficiency with low temperature rise with a simple, low-cost topology.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— October, 2021 — EPC announces the availability of the EPC9162, a bi-directional buck or reverse-boost converter.  This demonstration board features the 100 V EPC2052 for the synchronous converter, and the EPC2038 in the synchronous bootstrap FET circuit. 

This month has been a busy one in the FET space. Here are a few FETs from EPC, UnitedSiC, and Intel that depart from traditional silicon transistors in interesting ways.

All About Circuits
October, 2021
Read article

The design of an LLC resonant converter illustrates how eGaN FETs can shrink the physical size of modern supply circuitry.

Power Electronic Tips
October, 2021
Read article

GaN devices and applications, such as lidar, DC-DC conversion, motor drive, and low-cost satellites using gallium nitride FETs and ICs, form the focus of this book, GaN Power Devices and Applications.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — October 2021 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power FETs and ICs, announces the publication of a valuable learning resource for professional engineers, systems designers, and electrical engineering students seeking the latest information on gallium nitride technology and applications. 

GaN transistors and ICs increase power density in motor drive applications. An optimal lay-out approach allows obtaining ring-free output switching waveforms and clean current reconstruction signals either from leg shunts or from in-phase shunts.

EEPower
October, 2021
Read article