If you weren’t certain by Day 1 of the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) exhibition what the running themes were, you found confirmation on Day 2. High density, low power, SiC and GaN all played out through new products, technical sessions, and papers.
“Hot Rod” Layout
For their part, Texas Instruments wants to “help designers realize the potential of GaN”. Their new LMG5200 GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is the first integrated GaN field effect transistor (FET) power-stage prototype. Chief Technologist of Power Management and TI Fellow Dave Freeman said the device’s “hot rod” layout specifically addresses packaging parasitics challenges -- one of the biggest barriers to GaN-based power design.
“Even a less-experienced power designer can take this device and be successful,” said Freeman. “For an analog designer, the simplified topology allows them to focus on their application and be less concerned about how to use a high-performance part.”
Rated at 10A and operating up to 80VDC, the device consists of a high-frequency driver and two GaN FETs in a half-bridge configuration. It is an ideal solution for applications requiring high frequency, high-efficiency operation in a small form factor.
Lighting Up
Fairchild’s phase-cut dimmable single-stage FL7734 LED driver for 5 W to 30 W applications uses the company’s dimmer technology to eliminate visible flicker or shimmer symptoms. The device delivers over 90% dimmer compatibility with a wider range of dimmers.
The FL7733A is similar but for higher power (up to 60 W) applications. The wide range allows to designers to meet LED lighting standard and regulations with a single product. High-power factor and low THD are obtained by minimizing turn-on time fluctuation.
Fairchild also displayed a 1000V integrated power switch, buck switch devices for motion control and industrial auxiliary power, and a demonstration of advanced adaptive charger products.
Thus ends day 2 at APEC. Stay tuned for Day 3, posting soon!
Socializing at the APEC evening event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Aimee Kalnoskas