4-kW PFC GaN power eval board uses Microchip DSP
Transphorm has teamed up with Microchip Technology on a 4 kW AC-DC bridgeless totem pole power factor correction (PFC) evaluation board.
The board uses Transphorm’s fourth generation GaN gallium nitride transistors with the dsPIC Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) from Microchip. The resulting evaluation board has an efficiency over 99 percent using pre-programmed firmware off the shelf.
“Transphorm’s Microchip collaboration is a gamechanger,” said Philip Zuk, VP of Worldwide Technical Marketing and North American Sales, Transphorm. “The control requirements of GaN power systems using the bridgeless totem-pole power factor correction is different than what is used to control traditional CCM boost PFCs which has long been a new challenge for some ODMs.”
The TDTTP4000W066C-KIT board uses Transphorm’s 650 V 35 mΩ Gen IV GaN FET (TP65H035G4WS) at 66kHz with an input voltage of 85 VAC to 265 VAC, 47Hz to 63Hz and an input current of 18 Arms for 2 kW performance at 115VAC and 4 kW at 230 VAC. The programmable output is 387 VDC ± 5 VDC.
The dsPIC33CK digital power module (PIM) controls the PFC powertrain using the AEC-Q100-qualified 100MIPS dsPIC33CK256MP506 digital signal controller for a pulse width modulation engine with 250ps resolution. The module has dual flash memory blocks that allow live update of code while power supply is running.Firmware updates for the dsPIC33CK PIM will be available for download from Microchip’s website.
“Microchip’s dsPIC DSCs are designed to meet the demanding control needs associated with newer digital power topologies,” said Joe Thomsen, VP of MCU16, Microchip. “Our dsPIC33CK PIMs will offer engineers the flexibility and worldwide support that many designers need for their high-power solutions.”
The TDTTP4000W066C-KIT is available through Digi-Key and Mouser. Transphorm customers currently working with the prior generation evaluation board—the TDTTP4000W066B-KIT—can still take advantage of the dsPIC33CK PIM integration by contacting Transphorm for a conversion daughter card.
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