EPC技術文章

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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Dispelling Myths: Don’t believe it when they say you need a bipolar gate drive for eGaN FETs

GaN devices have gone from initial R&D to mainstream designs over the last 15 years. Unfortunately, there are many misunderstandings left-over from those early-stage bipolar drive circuit developments or dead-end technology branches. One of the most pernicious is the topic of bipolar drive. In actuality, unipolar drives are the best way to drive eGaN® FETs.

Power Electronics Tips
October, 2022
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GaN vs. Silicon Smackdown

One way to tell when a new technology has passed the tipping point of adoption is by the voices advocating the status quo. The more conservative voices tend to cite older information that, given the fast change of trajectory that occurs at a tipping point, can lead to poor decisions for new designs. In the world of GaN power devices the tipping point occurred in the past two years when the rate of new GaN-based designs started to double year-on-year, and the legacy MOSFET designs started to face critical supply shortages due to their finely tuned, but less flexible supply chains. GaN devices, on the other hand, have remained in stock at most major distributors due to their relatively new and flexible supply chains utilizing older silicon foundries, but affording these foundries a new and vibrant future. In this article we will address some of the common misconceptions still showing up in articles and at conferences, usually presented by advocates of the status quo.

Bodo’s Power Systems
May, 2022
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功率系統採用GaN的5大誤區

我們將在本文討論客戶爲何遲遲未採用氮化鎵技術的一些最常見原因,氮化鎵技術顯然是較舊的矽基功率MOSFET的替代技術。在不深入詳細研究統計數據的情况下,按最常發生推導出一系列原因,並理解某些應用比其他應用更側重氮化鎵技術的某些特性。我們的討論僅限於額定電壓低於400 V的元件,因爲這是EPC公司的氮化鎵場效應電晶體和積體電路的重點應用。

PSD功率系統設計
2022 年3月
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Better thermal management of eGaN FETs

A few simple thermal management guidelines can help conduct heat away from GaN FETs. Enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN) FETs offer high power-density with ultra-fast switching and low on-resistance, all in a compact form factor. However, the power levels these high-performance devices provide can be limited by extreme heat-flux densities. If not managed properly, the generated heat can compromise reliability and performance. Fortunately, chip-scale packaging for eGaN FETs can be leveraged at the board-side and the backside (i.e., case) to better dissipate heat.

Power Electronics Tips
February, 2022
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Low-Voltage GaN FETs in Motor Control Application; Issues and Advantages: A Review

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
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FET Roundup: eGaN FETs, Next-gen SiC FETs, and “RibbonFETs” Hit the Scene

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
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Power Bricks Get an Efficiency Boost with GaN

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
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應對用於超薄計算應用的超薄、具高功率密度的 48 V DC/DC 轉換器的電源和磁性設計挑戰

在過去十年中,計算機、顯示器、智能手機和其他消費電子系統變得更薄,同時功能也變得更强大。因此,市場對具有更高功率密度的更薄電源解决方案的需求不斷增加。本文研究了額定功率爲 250 W、超薄的48 V / 20 V轉換器,它可以採用各種非隔離型 DC/DC 降壓拓撲的可行性。我們研究了各種非隔離型拓撲的優缺點,從而瞭解拓撲如何影響功率電晶體和磁性元件的選擇,特別是電感器,因爲這兩個元件產生轉換器的大部分損耗。本文還詳細分析了爲這些應用設計薄型電感器所面對的挑戰,包括電感器損耗的因素、電感器尺寸和設計權衡,包括對EMI的影響。我們是以選擇、構建和測試了超薄多電平轉換器拓撲。從該轉換器獲得的實驗結果,用於進一步優化操作設置和元件的選擇,從而實現超過98%的峰值效率。

EPC公司Michael de Rooij
Würth Elektronik 公司Quentin Laidebeur

IEEE Power Electronics Magazine
2021年9月
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採用 eGaN FET 的高效、高密度1/8 磚 1 kW LLC 諧振轉換器

隨著數據處理基礎設施的持續快速增長,市場要求在最小的佔板面積內提供更高的功率。

Power Systems Design
2021年9月
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於嚴峻情況下氮化鎵元件如何工作 – 將eGaN FET置於遠高於數據手冊的電壓和電流限值下工作

最近,EPC公司對其氮化鎵場效應電晶體(eGaN FET)進行了一系列測試,把它置於超出數據手冊的限值下工作,從而量化和發表這些元件通過電壓和電流極端應力測試的結果。

Bodo’s Power Systems
2021年5月
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Thermal Management of Chip-Scale GaN Devices

This article discusses the challenges that thermal management raises due to increase power density, especially with chip-scale packaging (CSP). What is sometimes overlooked, however, is that CSP eGaN® power FETs and integrated circuits have excellent thermal performance when mounted on standard printed circuit board (PCBs) with simple methods for attaching heat sinks. Simulations, supported by experimental verification, examine the effect of various parameters and heat flow paths to provide guidance on designing for performance versus cost.

Bodo’s Power Systems
February, 2021
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GaN Reliability Testing Beyond AEC for Automotive Lidar

An automotive application using GaN power devices in high volume is lidar(light detection and ranging) for autonomous vehicles. Lidar technology provides information about a vehicle’s surroundings, thus requiring high accuracy and reliability to ensure safety and performance. This article will discus a novel testing mechanism developed by EPC to test eGaN devices beyond the qualification requirements of the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC) for the specific use case of lidar.

Power Systems Design
December, 2020
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Testing Gallium Nitride Devices to Failure Under Extreme Voltage and Current Stress

Standard qualification testing for semiconductors typically involves stressing devices at-or-near the limits specified in their data sheets for a prolonged period of time, or for a certain number of cycles, with the goal of demonstrating zero failures. By testing parts to the point of failure, an understanding of the amount of margin beyond the data sheet limits can be developed, but more importantly, an understanding of the intrinsic failure mechanisms of the semiconductor can be found.

Bodo’s Power Systems
September, 2020
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增強型氮化鎵功率元件的耐輻射性能

增強型氮化鎵(eGaN®)技術使能新一代功率轉換器,讓轉換器能夠在更高的頻率、更高的效率和前所未有的高功率密度下工作。 與矽MOSFET元件相比,eGaN元件還具有更優越的耐輻射性能。

Bodo’s Power Systems
2020年7月
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矽片已死……離散功率元件快將消失

在超過四十年中,隨著功率MOSFET元件的結構、技術和電路拓撲的創新,可滿足不斷增長的電力需求,因此改善了電源管理的效率和成本。 然而,在這新世紀的發展,隨著矽功率MOSFET元件已經接近其理論極限,其改進速度已大為減慢。 與此同時,一種全新材料 - 氮化鎵(GaN)- 正朝著新的理論性能領域的方向,穩步發展,其性能是老化的MOSFET元件的6,000倍,以及是目前市場的最優越GaN元件的300倍。

EETimes
2020年6月
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Integrated GaN Power Stage for eMobility

Brushless DC (BLDC) motors are a popular choice and are finding increasing application in robotics, drones, electric bicycles, and electric scooters. All these applications are particularly sensitive to size, weight, cost, and efficiency. A monolithically integrated GaN power stage is demonstrated powering a 400 W capable BLDC motor with low switching losses and significant savings in size and weight.

Power Electronics Europe
May, 2020
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GaN Integrated Power Stage – Redefining Power Conversion

Beyond just performance and cost improvement, the most significant opportunity for GaN technology to impact the power conversion market comes from its intrinsic ability to integrate multiple devices on the same substrate. GaN technology, as opposed to standard silicon IC technology, allows designers to implement monolithic power systems on a single chip in a more straightforward and cost-effective way.

Bodo’s Power Systems
May, 2020
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Power Product News from ‘Virtual APEC’

Starting on page 13 of this story, EPC discusses with David Morrison the latest GaN developments meant for APEC. Alex Lidow, CEO and co-founder of EPC, discussed his company’s new power stage ICs, their development of GaN-based reference designs using a multi-level topology and various demos that were originally bound for APEC.

How2Power Today
April, 2020
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氮化鎵與48 V應用 – 目前的發展及何去何從?

中壓氮化鎵場效應電晶體(eGaN FET)的成本在三年前已經比等效額定功率MOSFET器件的成本更低。當時,EPC公司決心利用氮化鎵場效應電晶體的性能及成本效益優勢,積極研發及支持48 V輸入或輸出的應用。車用及電腦應用的48 V 轉換逐漸成為全新的架構,也成為了功率系統的全新標準。

Power Systems Design
2020年3月31日
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