4 August 2015

EPC launches fast, small monolithic GaN power transistor half-bridge operating over 2MHz for Class-D audio

Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA, which makes enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power field-effect transistors (FETs) for power management applications, has launched the EPC2106, an e-mode monolithic GaN transistor half-bridge.

By integrating two eGaN power FETs into a single device, interconnect inductances and the interstitial space needed on the PCB are eliminated. This increases both efficiency (especially at higher frequencies) and power density, while reducing assembly costs to the end-user's power conversion system, says the firm.

The EPC2106 half-bridge component has a voltage rating of 100V with a typical RDS(on) of 55mΩ, output capacitance less than 600pF, zero reverse recovery (QRR), and a maximum pulsed drain current of 18A. The low on-resistance and capacitance of GaN enables high efficiency and significantly reduces distortion in Class-D systems. The EPC2106 comes in a very small 1.35mm x 1.35mm chip-scale package for improved switching speed and thermal performance for increased power density.

To demonstrate, the EPC9106 Class-D audio amplifier reference design uses high-frequency-switching GaN power transistors in the power stage, providing precise high-power reproduction of the Class-D audio signal. The system demonstrates high efficiency, size reduction and eliminates the need for a heat-sink while delivering prosumer-quality sound.

The EPC9055 development board is 2" x 1.5" and contains one EPC2106 integrated half-bridge component using the Texas Instruments LM5113 gate driver, supply and bypass capacitors. The board contains all critical components and has been laid out for optimal switching performance, allowing designers to quickly evaluate the advantages that GaN can bring to their systems.

The EPC2106 monolithic half-bridge is priced at $0.81 each in 1000-unit quantities. The EPC9055 development boards are priced at $137.75 each. Both are available from Digi-Key.

Tags: EPC E-mode GaN FETs

Visit: www.digikey.com/Suppliers/us/Efficient-Power-Conversion

Visit: http://epc-co.com/epc/Products/eGaNFETs/EPC2106.aspx

Visit: http://epc-co.com/epc/Products/DemoBoards/EPC9055.aspx