News: Microelectronics
23 April 2025
EPC launches laser driver evaluation board for indirect time-of-flight applications
Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA ā which makes enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power field-effect transistors (FETs) and integrated circuits for power management applications ā has introduced the EPC91116, a high-speed, high-current laser driver evaluation board tailored for indirect time-of-flight (iToF) applications in automotive and industrial sensing. Built around the AEC-Q101-qualified EPC2203 eGaN FET, the EPC91116 delivers nanosecond-scale performance with a flexible, low-cost architecture that simplifies prototyping and accelerates time to market.
As iToF systems become critical for automotive driver monitoring, in-cabin sensing and 3D mapping, designers need tools that are ready for qualification and production. The EPC91116 answers this need with support for peak currents above 10A, pulse widths as narrow as 5ns, and switching speeds up to 100MHz.
“With the EPC91116, developers get a low-cost, production-ready solution that highlights GaN’s speed and power, bridging the gap between prototyping and iToF deployment,” says CEO & co-founder Alex Lidow.
Key features are cited as:
- Automotive-qualified components: utilizes the EPC2203, an 80V, 17A (pulsed), 0.9mm x0.9mm GaN FET with 670 pC total gate charge and only 80 mĪ© RDS(on), and the AEC-Q100-qualified 74LVC2T45GS logic-level translator;
- Simplified gate drive: eliminates the need for specialized gate drivers by using a low-cost CMOS logic IC to reliably drive GaN at up to 100MHz;
- Flexible input logic: compatible with logic levels from 1.2V to 5.5V with simple modification;
- Built-in narrow pulse generator (NPG) option: enables precise, tunable pulse widths (5ā60ns);
- Laser-ready: includes the EPC9989 interposer board for easy mounting of a variety of laser diodes and loads.
This development platform is suitable for engineers looking to implement automotive-grade iToF designs or explore other fast-switching power topologies such as Class-E amplifiers, SEPIC converters, or other lidar systems.
The EPC91116 evaluation board is priced at $423.49. The EPC2203 is priced at $0.395 in 2.5ku volumes. All evaluation boards and GaN FETs are available for immediate delivery from distributor Digi-Key Corp.
