GaN chargers are harnessing the fundamental wide-bandgap capabilities for the purpose of helping “transform” the power electronics industry.
A variety of GaN chargers has been recently unveiled, and each one demonstrates the revolutionary nature of GaN’s technology in the field of power electronics. As compared with silicon technology, GaN’s primary properties make it a superior option for high-current and high-voltage applications.
Gallium Nitride (GaN) has features that provide it with an increased breakdown voltage and better on-resistance than silicon, which makes it a perfect choice for power electronics. Image taken from Solid_State (CC BY-SA 4.0[CC BY-SA 4.0]
As GaN is still comparatively new in comparison to the silicon industry, this piece examines three recently announced GaN developments and provides insights into how these power sources could develop as GaN technologies continue to be developed.
E-Bike GaN Chargers
To kick off the roundup, Wise-integration just announced its battery charger with embedded charging for the new generation of electric bicycles. The e-bike, developed in collaboration together with Savoy Group, is aimed at reducing the dimensions and weights of chargers for e-bikes to make charging simpler and more comfortable.
The half-bridge construction block that is used in the WiseGaN platform provides a fundamental foundation for e-bike chargers. Image courtesy of Wise-integration.
The Cocotte electric bike makes use of Wiseintegration’s WiseGaN along with WiseWare technology to provide an integrated solution for charging battery. WiseGaN is the WiseGaN technology that utilizes GaN’s high-breaking voltage as well as current tolerability GaN technology to perform the power conditioning required on-chip, and its WiseWare tech allows for high performance thanks to its specially designed GaN-based chips.
For applications other than charging bikes on e-bikes, WiseGaN supports up to 650 V of inputs and switching frequencies that exceed 1 MHz. It’s available in half-bridge and discrete forms. These specifications, together with the current 13 A limit, show the capability of GaN to regulate power at a greater density.
Tiny 65 W Chargers for Multiple Devices
Similar to the previous model, Navitas, and GravaStar have launched 65-watt USB-A/C power chargers that look like Transformers film characters. These chargers, known as Alpha65, are based on Navitas’s GaNSense power control IC to create a light, high-performing charging system.
USB-A/C charging devices adopt the Transformer style. Image (modified) made available by Navitas
GaNSense IC GaNSense IC can be claimed to decrease weight and size because it is able to autonomously protect, detect, and carry out basic controls of the GaN electronic power source. Furthermore, Navitas has reported “lossless current sensing” with GaNSense electronics, which makes it a very efficient option.
This “lossless” current sensing technique employed by GaNSense permits easier power management as well as greater capacity for current. Image as a courtesy of Navitas
Like the majority of GaN electronics such as this, Power IC makes use of GaN’s large breakdown field in order to make systems that are smaller and more able to withstand high voltages. To make the most effective use of these properties, however, silicon control electronics are essential, as demonstrated by GaNSense. GaNSense collection of product lines.
240 W Desktop Charger
In the final installment of the GaN-powered line, Anker has recently presented an upgraded range of USB-C power adapters as a response to the issue of e-waste. Instead of buying (or receiving) multiple power adapters for every gadget, Anker is aiming to develop a single adapter which can be used to power several devices.
Anker’s latest power adapter for desktops utilizes GaNPrime’s tech to achieve highly efficient power conversion with efficiency of energy conversion that can be up to 95 percent. This, in conjunction with the adapter’s 240W power output, provides a clean solution for powering your desktop.
GaNPrime is a GaNPrime desktop charger by Anker that is said to offer up to 240 W by using just one desktop charger, thus reducing the quantity of e-waste that can be generated. Image courtesy of Anker
Each charger for desktops comes with 4 USB ports (3x Type-C and 1x TypeA) that can provide up to 240W across all ports and 140W each port. For a more intuitive sense of the amount of power it can offer, the charger is able to claim to recharge two laptops simultaneously (provided the first one is a 14″ Model). Anker will keep creating its GaNPrime range offering consumers greater power options in smaller packs.