Efficient Power Conversion Corp (EPC) of El Segundo, CA, USA – which makes enhancement-mode gallium nitride on silicon (eGaN) power field-effect transistors (FETs) for power management applications – has announced the availability of two new demonstration kits: the EPC9127 (a complete wireless power kit including a 10W, class 2 amplifier, category 3 receiver device) and the EPC9128 (consisting of a 16W, class 3 amplifier and two receiver devices – categories 3 and 4).
Coupled with the existing EPC9120 (33W class 4) and the EPC9121 multi-mode kit (capable of operating to either an AirFuel Class 2 standard with a category 3 device or a Qi (A6)/PMA standard with a compatible receiving device), these systems provide a full range of wireless power demonstration kits to allow for complete, wide-spread implementation.
EPC hence now covers a wide range of the AirFuel resonant technology standard. The popularity of resonant wireless power transfer is increasing rapidly, with end applications evolving quickly from mere cell-phone battery charging to the powering of large surface areas where handheld tablets, laptops and computers – and, soon TV sets, lamps and other electrically powered appliances – can simultaneously charge anywhere on the surface.
The purpose of the demonstration kits is to simplify the evaluation process of using eGaN FETs and ICs for highly efficient wireless power transfer. Operating at 6.78MHz (the lowest ISM band), the kits utilize the high-frequency switching capability of EPC’s GaN transistors to facilitate wireless power systems. The efficiency of the systems is about 87% from input to the amplifier to the output of the receiver (end-to-end). With future improvements in architecture and GaN IC technology, this can reach the 95% range, reckons EPC.
The EPC9127 wireless power system consists of three boards:
- a source board (transmitter or power Amplifier) EPC9510;
- a Class 2 AirFuel Alliance-compliant source coil (transmit coil); and
- a Category 3 AirFuel Alliance-compliant receiving device EPC9513.
The EPC9128 wireless power system consists of four boards:
- a source board (transmitter or power amplifier) EPC9509;
- a Class 3 AirFuel Alliance-compliant source coil (transmit coil);
- a Category 3 AirFuel Alliance-compliant receiving device EPC9513; and
- a Category 4 AirFuel Alliance-compliant receiving device EPC9515.
Source (amplifier) and receiving device boards available separately
The source (amplifier) boards included in these kits are highly efficient zero voltage switching (ZVS), Class-D amplifiers configured in an optional half-bridge topology (for single-ended configuration) or default full-bridge topology (for differential configuration). They include the gate driver(s), oscillator and feedback controller for the pre-regulator. This allows for compliance testing operating to the AirFuel standard over a wide load range. The amplifier boards are available separately as EPC9509 and EPC9510 for evaluation in existing customer systems.
The receiving device boards include the category 3 EPC9513 (5V, 5W) and category 4 EPC9515 (5V, 10W). They are also available separately for customers that have their own source boards or for those who want to design wireless power systems powering multiple devices simultaneously. The boards allow customers to bring various wirelessly powered consumer electronic products quickly to market, says EPC.
With the wide range of efficient receivers that can be used to power anything from lamps to laptops to tablets, while remaining compatible with cell-phone charging, the system designer now has all the tools needed to create an entire wireless power, large-area efficient system, says the firm.
The EPC9127 and EPC9128 wireless power transfer demonstration systems are priced at $907.20 each. The EPC9513 and EPC9115 device receive boards can also be purchased separately and are priced at $168.75 each. All the products are available for immediate delivery from Digi-Key.
