Power Integrations announced three gallium nitride-based AC-DC converter integrated circuits (ICs) that feature up to 95% efficiency under a full load.
The ICs are the InnoSwitch3-CP, InnoSwith3-EP and InnoSwitch3-Pro. All three combine primary, secondary and feedback circuits in a single surface-mounted package.
Gallium nitride switches are used to replace traditional silicon high-voltage transistors on the primary side of the IC, which reduces conduction losses when current flows and switching losses during operation. According to a statement from Power Integrations, this means “substantially less wasted energy and therefore increased efficiency and power delivery.”
The InnoSwitch3-CP and -EP variants are hardware configurable, while the InnoSwitch3-Pro has a digital interface for software control of setpoints, exception handling and safety mode.
All three are available now for $4 per unit in 10,000-piece quantities. Power Integrations CEO Balu Balakrishnan said the efficiency and size benefits of gallium nitride over silicon will likely create a rapid conversion to gallium nitride in many power applications.
The three ICs are targeted at high current chargers and adapters for mobile devices, set-top boxes, displays, appliances, networking and gaming products. They also interface with fast-charging protocol ICs.
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