| Title of Reference Design | GaN-Based High Power Density Adaptor | GaN-Based QR Adaptor | Adaptor-Based On GaN | 65W GaN-Based Adaptor | GaN USB PD Dual-C Charger |
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| Key Attractions | The reference design provides power efficiency, a small layout, and modular flexibility. It supports wide input voltage, reduces energy loss, improves cooling, and simplifies testing and upgrades with interchangeable modules. | The power adaptor reference design achieves over 93.6% efficiency, meets EMI and efficiency standards, supports USB-C, and maintains stable thermal performance under full load for reliable operation. | The reference design enables efficient power conversion with a high-voltage converter and GaN transistor, supports USB power delivery, and includes protection features for safe operation across various electronics. | The reference design integrates GaN technology for higher switching frequencies, reduced losses, and improved efficiency. Its design supports USB power applications, with output voltage adjustments and lossless current sensing for optimised performance. | The reference design supports multi-device charging with power sharing, efficiency, and a wide input range. Its form factor and power density enable chargers to meet energy standards without performance loss. |
| Highlights | The NCP13992UHD300WGEVB from Onsemi is a GaN-based adaptor reference design that helps engineers build small, efficient power solutions. It includes a power factor correction (PFC) stage and an LLC power stage, both using GaN transistors for high efficiency. The PFC stage, controlled by the NCP1616, improves power quality, while the LLC stage, managed by the NCP13992, runs at 500kHz for better performance. GaN Systems’ transistors are used on the primary side, and the secondary side has an NCP4306-controlled synchronous rectifier with two MOSFETs per branch. The design achieves a power density of 32W/in³ with a simple two-layer PCB, delivering up to 300W at 19V output. It supports a wide input range and meets CoC5 Tier 2 standards. The modular design, with a main board and plug-in modules, makes testing and upgrades easier while saving PCB space. The two-layer PCBs with thick copper improve cooling and reduce energy loss, especially in high-current areas. | The GS-EVB-ADP-65WQR-GS1 by GaN Systems uses a 650V, 150mΩ GaN transistor for power conversion, achieving over 93.6% peak efficiency and a power density of 18.5W/in³ in a cased design. It meets EMI EN55032 Class B standards for conducted and radiated emissions and exceeds CoC Ver5 Tier 2 requirements for efficiency and standby power consumption.The circuit architecture includes the NCP1342 quasi-resonant (QR) controller on the primary side and a 100V Si MOSFET with the NCP4306 synchronous rectification (SR) controller on the secondary side, along with a power delivery (PD) protocol controller for USB-C compatibility. The design maintains EMI margins of 10dB for conducted and 6dB for radiated emissions at 230V and 110V AC inputs. After 30 minutes of full-load operation at 25°C ambient temperature, the PCB temperature remains below 100°C, and the cased adaptor’s surface does not exceed 66°C. | The EVLVIPGAN50PD reference design from STMicroelectronics provides engineers with a solution for developing USB Type-C power delivery 3.0 adaptors. It leverages the high-voltage converter with an integrated 650V HEMT power GaN transistor, enabling the design of isolated power supplies optimised for quasi-resonant flyback converters, delivering up to 50W across a wide input range. Including the SRK1001 adaptive synchronous rectification controller improves efficiency on the secondary side, ensuring power conversion. The design also integrates the STUSB4761 controller for CC/CV regulation and USB Type-C PD interface management, enabling a hardware-based USB power delivery stack that ensures safe and compliant device communication. Built-in protection features guard against overvoltage, undervoltage, overpower, and short circuits, making it suitable for various electronics. | TIDA-050072, reference design from Texas Instruments integrates gallium nitride (GaN) technology for higher switching frequencies, reduced losses, and improved efficiency, while a quasi-resonant flyback topology optimises efficiency by adjusting the switching frequency to minimise drain voltage on the primary FET. The design includes a GaN device with sense emulation for lossless current sensing, enhancing system efficiency. GaN technology allows for smaller inductors, reduced core sizes, and fewer primary windings, making the design suitable for mobile wall chargers, USB power outlets, and auxiliary power supplies. Engineers can optimise transformer design for high-frequency operation, ensuring design efficiency while selecting switching devices to manage frequency- and current-dependent conduction losses. The board includes a USB Type-C PD controller that connects to a USB Type-C PD load through an onboard connector, allowing output voltage adjustments to 5V, 9V, 15V, or 20V. | Infineon’s REF_65W_2C_GAN_PAG1 reference design enables engineers to develop multi-device chargers that comply with energy efficiency standards like DOE Level VI. Its form factor and power density allow for small, portable chargers without sacrificing performance. Designed for USB-PD multi-port applications, it supports a wide input range with output voltages from 3.3V to 21V. Each USB-C port delivers 65W, with a total output of 65W dynamically shared based on connected devices. The QR flyback charger adaptor achieves over 93% efficiency and allows for customisation. The design includes an ATQ transformer and integrates two controllers for load sharing. It operates within a 90-264V AC input range at 50-60Hz. The board measures 56mm×27mm×33mm, achieving a power density of 21.34W/in³, with efficiency over 92% at full load. |
| Applications | The reference design is suitable for laptop and notebook adaptors. | The reference design suits USB-C adaptors for fast chargers, industrial controllers, and IoT power supplies. | The reference design can be used to create advanced USB Type-C power delivery 3.0 adaptors for various applications. | The design helps engineers create power solutions for charging devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. | The reference design is suitable for USB-PD multi-port charger applications. |
| OEM Brand | Onsemi | GaN Systems | STMicroelectronics | Texas Instruments (TI) | Infineon |
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Nidhi Agarwal is Senior Technology Journalist at EFY with a deep interest in embedded systems, development boards, and IoT cloud solutions.
