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Single Amplifier for a Multi-mode Capable Wireless Power System

Single Amplifier for a Multi-mode Capable Wireless Power System

The proliferation of wireless power products and multitude of wireless power standards for mobile applications is leading to consumer confusion and hindering adoption. This article discuss a multi-mode capable amplifier topology capable of operation at both high (6.78 MHz) and low (100 kHz – 315 kHz) frequencies.

By: Michael de Rooij, Ph.D.
EEWeb – Wireless & RF Magazine
August, 2015
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Wireless Charging Metrics Debated

Wireless Charging Metrics Debated

Wireless charging may have a standards battle to contend with, but there’s also a major a measurement problem. The quest for convenient living and energy conservation poses a ‘Ying/Yang’ dilemma living in the age of electronics. This is certainly the case with wireless power transfer technology. This rapidly emerging technology has the promise of “cutting the cord” and displacing the need for AC/DC wall adapters and perhaps eventually wall sockets. The question now is; will wireless power increase our carbon footprint by being less efficient than the traditional plug-in AC/DC wall adapters?” Are some wireless systems more efficient than others? These are two fundamental questions that need to be examined in an energy conscious world governed by energy efficient standards.

EETimes
August 4, 2015
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New Chips Provide a Spark for Wireless Charging

New Chips Provide a Spark for Wireless Charging

EPC garners the attention of MIT Technology Review with its new products targeted for wireless charging applications. Recognizing EPC as a catalyst for jump-starting the market for wireless power systems, the author highlights the need for universally accepted technology standards. He reinforces his position quoting Alex Lidow saying that “…convenience, cost, and efficiency” are all factors needed for broad adoption of any standard…

MIT Technology Review
July 15, 2015
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The Mobility Imperative: Untethered Consumers!

The Mobility Imperative: Untethered Consumers!

Consumers want to be able to go wirelessly where they want, when they want. They want televisions to be seamlessly synchronized with tablets, phones, laptops, and automobiles. They want all their communication, information, and entertainment to be available immediately, with high resolution, all the time. Recently the automobile industry has caught on to this trend and has begun to show its vision of the future for the fully mobile lifestyle.

Consumers also do not want to worry about running out of battery life – no more looking for an open outlet at the airport. This untethered life is the Mobility Imperative and it is driving innovation in consumer products, which in turn, is pushing the limits of silicon-based semiconductor technology.

Nikkei Business Publications
July 10, 2015
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A dialogue focusing on wireless power transfer application using gallium nitride devices

A dialogue focusing on wireless power transfer application using gallium nitride devices

The latest gallium nitride technology has been propelling the development of wireless power transfer application. This is especially of interest to engineers at the time just after the merger of A4WP and PMA. The interview extensively covers various areas of interests in answering the question of wider adoption of GaN devices by the semiconductor industry including differentiations of GaN devices, lowering of costs, latest device innovations, high-frequency plus small-size device operations, heat management, how GaN’s markets would surpass silicon’s markets and the future development of gallium nitride technology.

Power System Design China
June 24, 2015
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eGaN FETs Yield High Broad Load Range Wireless Energy Transfer Efficiency

eGaN FETs Yield High Broad Load Range Wireless Energy Transfer Efficiency

eGaN® FETs have previously demonstrated higher efficiency in loosely coupled wireless power transfer solutions when operating on-resonance using either ZVS Class D or Class E amplifiers. Practical Wireless Power systems however need to address the convenience factor of such systems, which results in reflected coil impedances that can significantly deviate from resonance as load and coupling vary. These systems still need to deliver power to the load and hence the amplifier needs to drive the coils over a wide impedance range. Standards such as the A4WP class 3 have defined a broad coil impedance range that address the convenience factor and can be used as a starting point to compare the performance of the amplifiers. In this installment both the ZVS Class D and Class E amplifiers will be tested at 6.78 MHz to the A4WP class 3 standard with a reduced impedance range to determine the inherent operating range limits. Factors such as device temperature and voltage limits will determine the bounds of the load impedance range each amplifier is capable of driving.

Bodos China
June, 2015
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CMOS finds its match: GaN ignites shift in power

Speaking from an industry perspective, technologies only exist for as long as they yield the benefits and capabilities that promise man a certain advantage. That said, mainstream silicon CMOS technology has afforded the industry immeasurable gains that it has thoroughly benefitted from. The question now is this. Is the sun shining down on CMOS ready to set? An emerging class of GaN power chips is finally knocking down the final cost barriers to their adoption. The chips will enable a wide range of applications from wireless charging to autonomous vehicles and more efficient cellular communications, according to a DesignCon keynoter.

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EETimes Asia
February, 2015

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WiGaN: eGaN FETs in Wide Load Range High Efficiency Wireless Power

Practical wireless power systems need to address the convenience factor of such systems. Standards such as the A4WP Class 3 have defined a broad coil impedance range that address the convenience factor and can be used as a starting point to compare the performance of the amplifiers. In this installment of WiGaN both the ZVS Class-D and Class-E amplifiers will be tested at 6.78 MHz to the A4WP Class 3 standard.

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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Introduces Complete A4WP Compliant High Efficiency Wireless Power Transfer Demonstration Kit Delivering 35 W and Operating at 6.78 MHz

Superior characteristics of eGaN® FETs, such as low output capacitance, low input capacitance, low parasitic inductances, and small size make them ideal for increasing efficiency in highly resonant, Rezence (A4WP) compliant, wireless power transfer systems.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—July 2014 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) today announces the immediate availability of a complete demonstration wireless power transfer kit. The 40 V (EPC9111) or 100 V (EPC9112) wireless kits have three components:

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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Introduces High Efficiency Wireless Power Transfer Demonstration System Operating at 6.78 MHz Featuring High Frequency Gallium Nitride (eGaN) FETs

The superior characteristics of eGaN® FETs, such as low output capacitance, low input capacitance, low parasitic inductances, and small size make them ideal for increasing efficiency in highly resonant, Rezence (A4WP) compliant, wireless power transfer systems.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.—June, 2014 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) today announce the introduction of demonstration boards for wireless power transfer in an innovative high performance topology; Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS) Class-D. The EPC9506 and EPC9507 amplifier (source) boards utilize the high frequency switching capability of EPC gallium nitride transistors to facilitate wireless power systems with greater than 75% efficiency.

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IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) Webinar, “GaN Transistors – Crushing Silicon in Wireless Energy Transfer”

On June 4 IEEE PELS will offer a webinar by Alex Lidow and Michael de Rooij discussing the contribution of eGaN® power transistors to increasing efficiency in wireless power transfer systems.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— May 2014 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) experts on the design and use of gallium nitride transistors will conduct a one-hour webinar sponsored by the IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) on June 4th from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM (EDT).

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Performance Evaluation of Enhancement-Mode GaN Transistors in Class-D and Class-E Wireless Power Transfer Systems

The popularity of wireless energy transfer has increased over the last few years and in particular for applications targeting portable device charging. In this article, EPC will focus on loosely coupled coils, highly-resonant wireless solutions suitable for the A4WP standard operating at either 6.78 MHz or 13.56 MHz unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) bands.

Bodo’s Power Systems
By Alex Lidow, Ph.D. and Michael De Rooij, Ph.D
May, 2014

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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Experts to Demonstrate How eGaN FETs Increase Efficiency by 20% in Wireless Power Applications at Key Power Industry Conferences in Asia

EPC experts will be making technical presentations on GaN FET technology at three industry-leading conferences in Asia – Electronica China, IIC China Power Management and Semiconductor and International Workshop on Wide Band Gap Power Electronics 2014 in Taiwan

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — March, 2014 — Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, the world’s leader in enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN®) power transistors will be making presentations at three industry-leading power conferences in Asia.

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Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) Expands High Frequency eGaN Power Transistor Family Capable of Amplification into the Multiple GHz Range

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 VDS. Optimized for high speed switching, the EPC8010 has a maximum RDS(on) of 160 milliohms and input gate charge in the hundreds of pico-coulombs.

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GaN — Still Crushing Silicon One Application at a Time

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

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How To GaN: eGaN®FETs for High Frequency Wireless Power Transfer

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

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