The InnoSwitch3 designs also offer exceptional light-load efficiency, making them ideal for supplying auxiliary power to electric vehicles during low-power standby modes. The AEC-Q100 certified InnoSwitch3-AQ family is particularly well-suited for electric vehicles based on 400-volt bus systems, where the 900-volt PowiGaN switch provides more power and greater design headroom—necessary for 12-volt battery replacement systems—with superior efficiency compared to silicon-based converters.
“The dominant bus voltage in electric vehicles is 400 volts,” says Peter Vaughan, director of automotive business development at Power Integrations. “EV manufacturers are optimizing their next-generation 400-volt systems and redesigning various vehicle power stages, such as the onboard charger. The 900-volt PowiGaN switch is extremely beneficial because it easily accommodates the highly inductive noise spikes typically found in automotive environments. The extra power provided by our GaN technology meets the growing power demands of EV manufacturers. Furthermore, power conversion efficiency—even in auxiliary systems—is important for range extension and thermal management.”.
In industrial settings, the extra power and increased efficiency are highly advantageous in applications such as household appliances, three-phase motors, and server backup power supplies (PSUs). The new 900-volt components are pin-compatible with existing 725- and 750-volt InnoSwitch models. The
750-volt InnoSwitch3-EP offers a greater safety margin, ideal for countries with unstable line voltages.
"Our ability to supply GaN components up to 900 volts demonstrates the reliability and robustness of our PowiGaN technology," said Silvestro Fimiani, product marketing director at Power Integrations.
The new InnoSwitch3-EP and InnoSwitch3-AQ 900-volt offline CV/DC flyback switching ICs employ synchronous rectification, a valley-switching flyback controller in both discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and continuous conduction mode (CCM). FluxLink™ communication technology allows the IC package to bypass the isolation barrier, optimizing efficiency and eliminating the need for optocouplers. PowiGaN technology enables the InnoSwitch3-EP ICs to deliver up to 100 watts (230 volts AC [VAC] ±15 percent) without heat sinks. The InnoSwitch3-EP devices incorporate multiple protection features, including line overvoltage and undervoltage protection, output overvoltage and overcurrent limiting, and over-temperature shutdown. The devices are available with standard and peak power supply options. The InnoSwitch3-AQ automotive devices can also supply 100 watts from a 400-volt bus and offer similar performance and protection functions to the popular 1700-volt silicon carbide InnoSwitch3-AQ integrated circuits currently used in 800-volt EV systems.
Availability and Resources:
Pricing for the new 900-volt GaN InnoSwitch3-EP devices for industrial applications starts at $2 for quantities of 10,000 units. For automotive-qualified InnoSwitch3-AQ devices or more information on all Power Integrations solutions, contact a Power Integrations sales representative or one of the company's authorized worldwide distributors: Digi-Key, Farnell, Mouser, and RS Components, or visit power.com.
