Synchronous boost converter is optimised for monitor backlighting
Synchronous boost converters from Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) are based on eGaN FET technology. They achieve 95.3 per cent peak efficiency with a low temperature rise and a simple, inexpensive topology, says the company.
The EPC9162, 50W, 12 to 60V eGaN FET-based boost converter is suitable for laptop and PC monitor backlighting.
The bi-directional buck or reverse-boost converter is by default programmed as a boost converter operating at 12V input to 60V / 50W output.
EPC also offers a demonstration board which features the 100V EPC2052 for the synchronous converter and the EPC2038 in the synchronous bootstrap FET circuit.
The board can also be operated as a buck converter at 48V input to 12V / 60W output. The fast-switching speed of eGaN FETs significantly reduces switching losses for higher efficiency operation, says EPC.
All supporting materials for this board including schematic, bills of materials, and Gerber files are available on the EPC website, provided for power supply designers to replicate this design.
Peak efficiency is from 12 to 60V / 0.85A is 95.3 per cent and the light load efficiency is 86 per cent with only a 40 degrees C temperature rise despite the small size of the eGaN FETs, advises EPC.
“In applications where light-load efficiency is critical, such as LED backlighting for laptops and monitors, the low switching losses of eGaN FETs provide high efficiency with very low temperature rise to prevent equipment overheating,” says Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC.
The EPC9162 demonstration board is available for immediate delivery from Digi-Key.
EPC specialises in enhancement mode gallium nitride (eGaN) -based power management. eGaN FETs and ICs provide performance many times greater than the best silicon power MOSFETs in applications such as DC/DC converters, remote sensing technology (lidar), motor drives for e-mobility, robotics, and drones, and low-cost satellites, says EPC.
