News: Microelectronics
16 December 2020
EPC launches EPC9151 300W bidirectional 16th brick DC-DC voltage regulator power module
Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA – which makes enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power field-effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuits for power management applications – has announced the availability of the EPC9151, a 300W bidirectional DC-DC voltage regulator in the very small 16th brick format, which is just 33mm x 22.9mm (1.3-inch x 0.9-inch).
The EPC9151 power module features Microchip Technology’s dsPIC33CK digital signal controller (DSC) with the EPC2152 ePower Stage integrated circuit to achieve greater than 95% efficiency in a 300W 48V to/from 12V converter design. Additional phases can be added to this scalable two-phase design to further increase power.
Brick DC-DC converters are widely used in data-center, telecom and automotive applications, converting a nominal 48V to (or from) a nominal 12V distribution bus. Advances in GaN integrated circuit technology have enabled the integration of the half bridge and gate drivers, resulting in the EPC2152 single-chip solution employed in the EPC9151 module to simplify layout, minimize area and reduce cost for these applications.
“eGaN FETs and integrated circuits provide the fast switching, small size and low cost needed to meet the stringent power-density requirements of leading-edge computing applications,” says CEO Alex Lidow. “The EPC9151 is an ideal example of the capabilities of the integrated power stage, EPC2152, to increase the power density and reduce system costs for the 48V power conversion requirement of these applications.”
The EPC9151 demonstration board is priced $414 each and is available for immediate delivery from distributor Digi-Key Corp.
EPC and Microchip co-develop 300W 16th brick 48V–12V DC-DC converter demonstration board
EPC E-mode GaN FETs Power electronics
