EPC91109 GaN dcdc evaluation board

Its two-phase power section occupies only 24 x 24mm, using both sides of the board and ignoring input and output bulk capacitors.

Called EPC91109 and intended to implement USB-PD 3.1, it delivers 12, 16 or 20V from an input range of 20 to 36V. In two-phase interleaved mode it supports outputs up to 14.3A, matching the full 180W USB-PD power envelope at 12V output from a 36V source, said the company.

On-board, with the 24mm footprint, are four 50V-rated EPC2057 GaN hemts, controlled and driven by Analog Devices’ LTC7890 dual-phase buck IC which is optimised for GaN output transistors.

The inductor is only 3mm high, and efficiency peaks above 98% at 20Vin. Switching is at 970kHz.

“EPC91109 is a compact platform that needs no heatsink or airflow, even at full power,” said EPC CEO Alex Lidow.

The design is expected to find a home in laptops and other battery powered systems.