A new GaN approach changes power design, cuts size and heat, supports higher output, and points to smaller chargers and wider use across devices.
Renesas has introduced a GaN-based Half-Wave LLC platform for AC/DC and power adapters, targeting designs from 500W and above. The platform supports compact power systems and helps move beyond the size, heat and efficiency limits of older designs, while also scaling down to around 100W for smaller applications.
The system is built around four controller ICs using zero-standby power technology. The RRW11011 combines interleaved power factor correction with Half-Wave LLC control to improve efficiency and power density. Its phase-shift control reduces ripple, lowers component size and balances current. It also supports output from 5V to 48V, covering USB Extended Power Range requirements.
Other parts include the RRW30120 USB Power Delivery controller with up to 240W output, the RRW40120 GaN gate driver and the RRW43110 synchronous rectifier controller. In a 240W USB EPR adapter design, the platform achieves 3W/cc power density and 96.5% peak efficiency.
The platform can scale up to 500W for use in systems such as TVs, monitors, power tools, lighting and some medical devices. It also supports the shift from 100W USB-C charging to 240W USB EPR, helping reduce charger size for phones, laptops and gaming systems. The technology has already been used in a GaN-based charger design from Belkin.
GaN enables higher switching performance in these designs, which helps reduce magnetics size, lower losses and manage heat. Renesas uses a SuperGaN d-mode structure with a cascode configuration, offering a higher threshold voltage and compatibility with standard silicon gate drivers, making it easier to integrate.
The Half-Wave LLC approach combines interleaved PFC and resonant conversion into one system. This reduces transformer winding, lowers component count and supports smaller magnetics compared to traditional LLC designs. It also allows reuse across different power levels and form factors, helping simplify design and manage BOM.
“The Belkin Z-Charger is a major step toward a new era of ultra-low standby power consumption in fast charging,” said Jenny Ng, General Manager of Belkin Asia.
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