News: Microelectronics
22 October 2025
EPC makes available 5kW GaN-based AC/DC reference design for AI server and data-center power supplies
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 a high-efficiency, high-power-density 5kWAC-to-48VDC reference design that demonstrates the full potential of GaN technology for next-generation server and AI power architectures.
The complete system — comprising the EPC91107KIT 4-level totem-pole PFC and the EPC91110KIT input-series output-parallel (ISOP) LLC converter — achieves up to 96.5% system efficiency and a combined power density of 116W/in3. Designed to meet Open Rack V3 (OCP ORv3) size requirements, the modular solution is said to deliver superior performance with dramatically smaller size and lower cost compared to equivalent silicon implementations.
Complete 5kW GaN power solution
The EPC91107KIT front-end stage converts 240VAC to 400VDC using a 4-level flying capacitor totem-pole PFC topology featuring EPC2304 (200V, 5mΩ) GaN FETs:
- 9x smaller PFC inductor and 40% smaller EMI filter than conventional two-level designs;
- up to 98.5% efficiency at 5kW;
- 25A input current, 240VAC nominal, switching frequency of 140kHz.
The EPC91110KIT isolation stage steps down the 400V bus to 50VDC in a fixed ratio using four modular 1.375kW LLC converters in an ISOP configuration. Each module employs the EPC2305 (150V, 3mΩ) GaN FET and achieves 98.2% peak efficiency and 5.5kW output in total.
Optimized for AI, cloud and enterprise power
As AI workloads drive unprecedented demand for high-efficiency power delivery, GaN’s high-frequency and low-loss performance enable smaller filters, reduced thermal requirements, and higher power density.
The EPC 5kW reference design supports a modular power architecture scalable to 33kW, 48kW and as high as 108kW rack systems for less cost, delivering what is claimed to be industry-leading efficiency and cost savings for AI servers, data centers, and telecom power shelves.
“GaN is transforming power conversion for AI and data centers, delivering higher efficiency, smaller size, and lower cost — without compromising scalability or reliability,” says CEO Alex Lidow.
Design files and quick start guides for the EPC91107KIT and EPC91110KIT are available for download at EPC’s Low-Voltage GaN for AC/DC Application page.
The EPC9110KIT reference design boards are priced at $1095. The EPC91107KIT reference design boards are priced at $919.50.
The EPC2304 is priced at $3.68 each in 3Ku reels. The EPC2305 is priced at $3.56 each in 3Ku reels.
Reference design boards and devices are available for immediate delivery from distributor Digi-Key Corp.
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