Compact 180 W GaN Buck Converter for USB-PD
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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) has released a new evaluation board, the EPC91109, aimed at showcasing the benefits of GaN technology for compact, high-efficiency USB Power Delivery (USB-PD 3.1) applications up to 180 W. The company notes that the reference design leverages EPC’s 50 V GaN FETs alongside a dual-phase buck controller from Analog Devices to deliver performance that challenges traditional silicon-based power stages.
The EPC91109 could be relevant for eeNews Europe readers developing power electronics for portable and battery-powered devices, laptops, and space-constrained industrial or automotive systems. You might want to take a look if you are developing applications that require high efficiency, thermal simplicity, and tight layouts.
High Power Density Without the Thermal Burden
According to EPC, the EPC91109 evaluation board integrates four EPC2057 50 V-rated enhancement-mode GaN FETs with Analog Devices’s LTC7890 controller. It supports input voltages between 20 V and 36 V and delivers up to 180 W (12 V at 14.3 A) when running in two-phase interleaved mode—fully compliant with the USB-PD 3.1 specification.
Despite the power output, EPC emphasizes that no heatsinks or forced air cooling are required. “The EPC91109 shows GaN’s power density and efficiency for USB PD. It’s a compact, robust platform that needs no heatsink or airflow—even at full power,” Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC, noted in a release.
The power stage measures 24 mm × 24 mm and uses a low-profile 3 mm inductor, making it suitable for applications where board space and z-height are limited. Configurability is another apparent highlight: the board supports single- or two-phase operation and allows users to tune light-load modes and dead-time settings for further optimization.
Efficiency and Cost Positioning
EPC reports a peak efficiency of over 98% under standard operating conditions. That, combined with thermal performance and integration, gives system designers an alternative to silicon that is smaller, cooler, and faster.
The EPC91109 evaluation board is priced at $317.09. The GaN FET used in the design, the EPC2057, is available for $0.657 each in 2.5Ku reels. Both the board and devices are in stock and available via Digi-Key.
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