STMicroelectronics, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, has recently expanded its family of high-voltage wide-bandgap power converters with the addition of VIPerGaN100 and VIPerGaN65. These single-switch quasi-resonant (QR) flyback converters are capable of handling up to 100W and 65W, respectively, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial applications.
The compact and highly integrated design of these power converters targets switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) for USB-PD chargers, home appliances, smart-building controllers, lighting, air conditioning, smart metering, and other industrial applications. The small footprint and advanced integration ensure superior power density and save bill-of-materials (BoM) costs. The wide-bandgap transistor technology enhances energy efficiency and simplifies thermal management.
Wide-bandgap transistor technology is a key feature of these power converters. This technology refers to the use of semiconductor materials with a wide energy bandgap, such as gallium nitride (GaN) or silicon carbide (SiC), to make power transistors. The wide bandgap materials have unique material properties that enable power transistors made from these materials to operate at higher frequencies, higher voltages, and higher temperatures with lower switching losses compared to traditional silicon-based power transistors. This makes them ideal for use in high-frequency, high-voltage, and high-temperature applications, such as power converters, motor drives, and renewable energy systems, where high efficiency and high power density are desired.
These power converters also come equipped with advanced power management features and low quiescent current, consuming standby power of less than 30mW operating in adaptive burst mode. They operate in quasi-resonant mode, with dynamic blanking time and valley synchronization to reduce switching losses and maximize efficiency at all input line and load conditions. This helps to reduce energy usage, meeting ecodesign codes targeting global energy savings and net-zero carbon emissions.
Integrated features to ensure safety and reliability include input voltage feedforward compensation to minimize peak power variation, output overvoltage protection, current sensing, input overvoltage protection, and brown-in and brown-out protection. Thermal shutdown is also included, as well as frequency jittering to suppress EMI.
Overall, the VIPerGaN100 and VIPerGaN65 power converters from STMicroelectronics are an excellent addition to the company’s high-voltage wide-bandgap power converter family, offering superior power density, energy efficiency, and thermal management, as well as advanced safety and reliability features. These power converters are poised to make a significant impact in the industrial market, powering a wide range of applications and contributing to global efforts towards energy efficiency and carbon emissions reduction.
