Scalable DC/DC demo board powered by GaN FETs

By 2025, one of every ten vehicles sold worldwide is projected to be a 48V mild hybrid. 48V systems boost fuel efficiency, deliver four times the power without increasing engine size, and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions without increasing system costs. These systems will require a 48 to 12V bidirectional converter, with power ranging from 1.5kW to 6kW. The design priorities for these systems are size, cost, and high reliability.

EPC eGaN FETs can operate with 97% efficiency at 250 kHz switching frequency, enabling 800W/phase compared to silicon-based solutions, which are limited to 600W/phase due to the limitation on the inductor current at 100kHz maximum switching frequency. By using GaN FETs, it is possible to reduce the number of phases from five to four for a 3.5KW converter while increasing efficiency. The efficiency of a four-phase GaN converter operating at 250kHz is 1.5% higher than a five-phase silicon MOSFET-based converter operating at 100kHz.

Overall, the DCDC converter is three times faster, greater than 35% smaller and lighter, and offers greater than 1.5% higher efficiency compared to silicon MOSFET solutions. And the overall system cost is less. Additionally, the excellent efficiency and thermal performance of GaN FETs enables air cooling instead of water cooling and the small size of the GaN FETs strongly reduce heat-dissipating aluminum housing for additional system cost saving.

“eGaN FETs provide the fast switching, small size, and high efficiency needed to further reduce the size and weight of 48 to 12V automotive power system converters. The demonstrated superior reliability of GaN FETs make them ideal for this very demanding application,” said Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC. “The EPC9137 is an ideal example of the capabilities of GaN FETs to increase frequency and efficiency to allow smaller inductance for less phases and higher power density.”

The EPC9137 demonstration board is priced at $510.72/each and is available for immediate delivery.