News: Microelectronics
6 October 2021
GaN Systems’ transistors used in HARMAN’s InfinityLab 65W wall charger
GaN Systems Inc of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (a fabless developer of gallium nitride-based power switching semiconductors for power conversion and control applications) says that its transistors are being used in Samsung Electronics subsidiary HARMAN’s InfinityLab InstantCharger 65W.
HARMAN recently launched its line of InfinityLab small-sized and eco-friendly power accessories (which are made with 90% recycled plastic). Many of the power accessories feature GaN power semiconductors. HARMAN is used by brands including AKG, Bang & Olufsen, Crown, HARMAN Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, and Revel.
Featuring two USB ports (one USB-C supporting 65W PD charging and one USB-A supporting 15W charging), the InstantCharger 65W can replace a laptop power adapter or multiple chargers. USB-C Power Delivery 3.0 ensures fast charging of USB-C laptops, smartphones and tablet devices. Performance tests show that charge times achieve 50% charge for the following devices: 30 minutes for an Apple iPhone 12, 40 minutes for a Samsung Galaxy S21, and 45 minutes for a MacBook Air.
The InstantCharger 65W is also lightweight and compact, and offers high efficiency, intelligent power distribution, and auto-protection features, meeting optimal charging needs. The charger comes in plastic-free, paper-based packaging that is fully recyclable.
“GaN is now the universal choice for chargers and adapters in the consumer market. And we see the same trajectory occurring in the data center, industrial, renewable, and electric vehicle markets,” says GaN Systems’ CEO Jim Witham. “This HARMAN GaN charger is another example where engineers have demonstrated their preference to GaN Systems’ discrete transistors, which provide the best overall size and performance combination,” he claims.
GaN transistor can deliver size, weight, efficiency and cost advantages for power electronics. To capture these benefits, designers can use GaN Systems’ 65W QR Charger and 100W Dual USB-C Intelligent PD GaN Charger reference designs. These turnkey designs are said to provide a complete and simple-to-implement solution that shortens product development and time to market.
