News: Microelectronics
16 August 2023
Infineon and Chicony Power collaborate on GaN-based PD3.1 notebook adapter
Taiwan-based power supply maker Chicony Power Technology is expanding its partnership with Infineon Technologies AG of Munich, Germany to increase the performance of its latest PD3.1 notebook adapter series. The two firms aim to provide end-customers with highly efficient power solutions, based on gallium nitride (GaN), with a smaller form factor and higher power density.
With the latest USB PD 3.1 standard, released in 2021, and Chicony Power’s core competitiveness in power adapters, the firm selected Infineon’s CoolGaN and CoolMOS technology to realize the latest PD3.1 notebook power adapter series with what is claimed to be best-in-class performance. Due to the new topology, the new adapter series can provide no less than a 30% increase in power density and demonstrates what is said to be outstanding performance in switching and conduction losses. The new series can deliver up to 240W compared with the 100W defined in USB 3.0 and charges high-performance notebooks such as gaming computers and multimedia workstations via USB-C power delivery. The new power adapter series can be used as a universal power supply for multiple electronic devices.
“We use our unique expertise in gallium nitride technology in applications and system solutions to make high-performance computing more efficient and more mobile,” says Adam White, president of Infineon’s Power and Sensor Systems Division. “Together with Chicony Power and our CoolGaN technology, we can realize the new power design capability for PD3.1 adapters, so that every user can easily contribute to decarbonizing the way we work with computers – without compromising on mobility for the sake of performance,” he adds.
“Infineon is an excellent partner for us in energy conversion and energy efficiency,” comments Yang Wang, vice president R&D at Chicony Power. “Combined with Chicony Power’s remarkable capabilities in power systems, the new PD3.1 product series has been achieved within a faster time to market,” he adds. “Power and size are key points for mobile workers. Gallium nitride and silicon semiconductors from Infineon are the perfect match to increase power density and reduce losses.”
TI’s half-bridge GaN FET with integrated gate driver used in Chicony’s 65W laptop power adapter
