GaN switcher ICs cut power system losses

Power Integrations has unveiled its InnoMux-2 family of single-stage, independently regulated multi-output offline gallium-nitride (GaN)-based power supply ICs. These GaN switcher ICs incorporate AC/DC and downstream DC/DC conversion stages in a single chip and provide up to three independently regulated outputs for applications such as white goods, industrial systems, displays and other applications requiring multiple voltages.

These GaN-based switcher ICs, by combining the AC/DC and DC/DC stages into a single power converter, cut power system losses by up to 50 percent, according to the company.

(Source: Power Integrations)

“Most modern electronic systems rely on multiple internal voltages to operate various functions such as computing, communication and actuation function—typically heat, light, sound or motion of some kind,” said Roland Saint-Pierre, vice president of product development at Power Integrations, in a statement. “But losses in each conversion stage are compounded, degrading system performance and generating heat. The InnoMux-2 IC overcomes this challenge by providing up to three independently regulated voltage outputs or two voltage output and a constant current output from a single stage, achieving a compact and efficient power sub-system with low component count.”

By eliminating the separate DC/DC stages, it reduces component count and PCB footprint, while increasing efficiency by as much as 10 percentage points compared to traditional two-stage architectures, Power Integrations said. Also contributing to the InnoMux-2 family’s efficiency is the 750-V PowiGaN GaN transistors, zero-voltage switching (without an active clamp) and synchronous rectification.

These switcher ICs deliver up to 90 W of output power with accurate regulation of better than ±3% across the full input line, load, temperature and differential current step conditions. It also provides total power system efficiency of about 90%. Since the InnoMux-2 controller also manages light-load power delivery, it eliminates the need for pre-load resistors and reduces no-load consumption to less than 30 mW, which conserves power for necessary functionality in applications subject to the 300-mW allowance for standby usage under the European energy-using product (EuP) regulations, the company said.

InnoMux-2 devices are housed in thermally efficient InSOP24 and InSOP28 packages with PCB cooling, eliminating the need for a heat sink. Applications include TVs, monitors, appliances, networking, home and building automation, LED emergency lighting and industrial power supplies.

Pricing for InnoMux-2 IMX2174F devices starts at $1.11 in quantities of 50,000. Data sheets (InnoMux2-EP, InnoMux2-BL and IML204DG four-channel LED backlight controller IC), reference design reports (DER-714 52-W TV design, DER-715 23 W monitor design and DER-716 62-W industrial and appliance design) and an introduction video are available for download.

Power Integrations is highlighting its full range of products, including switcher ICs, PFC ICs, motor driver ICs and gate drivers at APEC 2024, booth #1615. It will also host several industry sessions.