Power Integrations recently announced new members of its InnoSwitch3 families of off-line CV/CC flyback switcher ICs. The new ICs feature up to 95% efficiency across the full load range and up to 100 W in enclosed adapter implementations without requiring a heatsink, claims the company. This increase in performance is achieved using an internally developed high-voltage gallium-nitride (GaN) switch technology.
Quasi-resonant InnoSwitch3-CP, InnoSwitch3-EP, and InnoSwitch3-Pro ICs combine primary, secondary, and feedback circuits in a single surface-mounted package. In the newly released family members, GaN switches replace the traditional silicon high-voltage transistors on the primary side of the IC, reducing conduction losses when current is flowing, and considerably reducing switching losses during operation, says Power Integrations. This results in less wasted energy and consequently, and increased efficiency and power delivery from the space-saving InSOP-24D package.
Targeting high-efficiency flyback designs, such as USB-PD and high-current chargers/adapters for mobile devices, set-top boxes, displays, appliances, networking, and gaming products, the new ICs provide accurate CV/CC/CP independent of external components, and easily interface with fast-charging protocol ICs, claims the company. The InnoSwitch3-CP and EP variants are hardware-configurable, while the InnoSwitch3-Pro incorporates a digital interface for software control of CV and CC setpoints, exception handing, and safety-mode options.
"GaN is a pivotal technology offering significant efficiency and size benefits over silicon. We anticipate a rapid conversion from silicon transistors to GaN in many power applications. InnoSwitch3 has been the clear technology leader in the off-line switcher IC market since we launched the silicon variants 18 months ago, and the new GaN-based ICs further extend our lead by advancing both the efficiency and power capability of our flyback products," says Balu Balakrishnan, president and CEO of Power Integrations.
Power Integrations' new InnoSwitch3 ICs are available now, priced at US$4 per unit in 10,000-piece quantities. Five new reference designs describing USB-PD chargers from 60 to 100 W are available on the Power Integrations website, along with an automated design tool, PI Expert, and other technical support documentation.
