News: Microelectronics
21 March 2023
Power Integrations launches 900V GaN flyback switcher ICs
Power Integrations Inc of San Jose, CA, USA, which provides high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient power conversion, has announced a 900V gallium nitride (GaN) extension to its InnoSwitch3 family of flyback switcher ICs.
Featuring the firm’s proprietary PowiGaN technology, the new ICs deliver up to 100W with better than 93% efficiency, eliminating the need for heat sinks and streamlining the design of space-challenged applications.
InnoSwitch3 designs also offer what is said to be exceptional light-load efficiency, making them suitable for providing auxiliary power in electric vehicles during low-power sleep modes. The AEC-Q100-qualified InnoSwitch3-AQ family is particularly suitable for EVs based on 400V bus systems where the 900V PowiGaN switch provides more power and increased design margin ― required for 12V battery-replacement systems ― with enhanced efficiency over silicon-based converters.
“The dominant bus voltage for electric vehicles is 400V,” says Peter Vaughan, automotive business development director. “EV manufacturers are optimizing their new generation of 400V systems and re-engineering various power stages in the vehicle, such as the on-board charger. The 900V PowiGaN switch is extremely beneficial because it easily accommodates inductive noise spikes, yet it can operate from as low as 30VDC, enabling systems to meet functional safety active discharge requirements,” he adds. “The extra power delivered by our GaN technology matches the increasing power demands of EV manufacturers, moreover, efficiency in power conversion ― even in auxiliary systems ― is important for both range extension and thermal management.”
In the industrial space, extra power and increased efficiency are extremely advantageous in applications such as appliances, three-phase motors and auxiliary power supply units (PSUs) in servers. The new 900V parts are pin-for-pin compatible with existing 725V and 750V InnoSwitch3-EP parts and offer increased safety margin, which is ideal for countries with unstable line voltages.
“Our ability to deliver GaN parts rated at up to 900V demonstrates the reliability and ruggedness of our PowiGaN technology,” says Silvestro Fimiani, senior product marketing manager at Power Integrations.
The new 900V InnoSwitch3-EP and InnoSwitch3-AQ off-line CV/CC flyback switcher ICs employ synchronous rectification, a valley switching discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and continuous conduction mode (CCM) flyback controller. FluxLink communication technology enables the IC package to bridge the isolation barrier, optimizing efficiency and eliminating the need for optocouplers. PowiGaN technology enables InnoSwitch3-EP ICs to deliver up to 100W (230V alternating current [VAC] plus or minus 15%) without heat sinks. InnoSwitch3-EP devices incorporate multiple protection features including line over- and under-voltage protection, output over-voltage and over-current limiting, and over-temperature shutdown. Devices are available with standard and peak power delivery options. Automotive InnoSwitch3-AQ devices can also deliver 100W from a 400V bus and provide performance and protection features similar to those of the popular 1700V silicon carbide InnoSwitch3-AQ ICs currently used in 800V EV systems.
Pricing for the new 900V GaN InnoSwitch3-EP devices for industrial applications start at $2 for 10,000-unit quantities.
Power Integrations expands range of InnoSwitch3 ICs incorporating robust 750V GaN transistors
