Power Integrations PowiGaN InnoSwitch ICs

Power Integrations has introduced a 900 V gallium-nitride (GaN) extension to its InnoSwitch3 family of flyback switcher ICs. The new ICs, which feature the company’s proprietary PowiGaN technology, deliver up to 100 W with increased efficiency, eliminating the need for heat sinks and streamlining design of space-challenged applications. InnoSwitch3 designs also offer good light-load efficiency, making them suitable for providing auxiliary power in electric vehicles during low-power sleep modes. The AEC-Q100-qualified InnoSwitch3-AQ family suits EVs that are based on 400 V bus systems where the 900 V PowiGaN switch provides more power and increased design margin ― required for 12 V battery-replacement systems.

In the industrial space, extra power and increased efficiency are advantageous in applications such as appliances, three-phase motors and auxiliary power supply units (PSUs) in servers. The 900 V parts are pin-for-pin compatible with existing 725 V and 750 V InnoSwitch3-EP parts and offer an increased safety margin, which is helpful for countries with unstable line voltages.

The 900 V InnoSwitch3-EP and InnoSwitch3-AQ offline CV/CC flyback switcher ICs employ synchronous rectification, a valley-switching discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and continuous conduction mode (CCM) flyback controller.

FluxLink communication technology enables the IC package to bridge the isolation barrier, increasing efficiency and eliminating the need for optocouplers. InnoSwitch3-EP devices incorporate multiple protection features including line over- and under-voltage protection, output over-voltage and over-current limiting, and over-temperature shutdown. Devices are available with standard and peak power delivery options.