Eggtronic, Renesas Target 140-W USB-C Chargers with GaN

Eggtronic has introduced a 140-W USB-C Power Delivery AC/DC reference platform for premium laptops and other high-performance USB-C-powered equipment. The design combines Eggtronic's EPIC digital power architecture with Renesas Electronic Corp.'s high-voltage GaN technology to target high efficiency, reduced component count, and competitive system cost.

The reference design uses Renesas' TP70H150G4LSG, a 700-V GaN transistor with a typical on-resistance of 150 mΩ, together with Eggtronic's EPIC combo controller. The resulting architecture is designed to achieve conversion efficiency approaching 96% while maintaining a bill of materials comparable to that of a conventional quasi-resonant (QR) flyback converter.

The EPIC controller consolidates several functions that would traditionally require multiple devices. These include totem-pole power-factor correction (PFC), isolated primary-side regulation, synchronous rectification, isolated communication, and USB Power Delivery protocol management.

The integrated approach simplifies the overall power architecture while reducing external components and interconnections. The totem-pole PFC stage also addresses two common challenges in high-power adapter designs: electromagnetic interference (EMI) and efficiency degradation under light-load conditions.

According to Eggtronic, the platform maintains high efficiency across its operating range, reaching 94.5% efficiency at a 90-VAC input. Its light-load performance is intended to support compliance with the latest DOE Level VII energy-efficiency requirements, which place particular emphasis on standby and low-power consumption.

Following the PFC stage, the platform uses Eggtronic's proprietary QuarEgg regenerative flyback architecture. Unlike LLC, asymmetrical half-bridge, and active-clamp flyback converters, the topology uses a single primary-side switch while retaining the basic simplicity associated with QR flyback designs.

The architecture aims to improve conversion efficiency while reducing component count and system cost. This lets the reference design target power levels traditionally handled by more complex high-power converter topologies without sacrificing the compact implementation required by modern USB-C adapters.

The 140-W platform targets notebook and laptop power adapters, as well as other high-performance devices supplied through USB-C Power Delivery. By combining high-voltage GaN switching with integrated digital power control and a regenerative flyback stage, the design provides developers with a reference platform for evaluating high-efficiency, compact AC/DC power conversion.

The 140-W USB-C Power Delivery reference board is available now, providing a development starting point for next-generation USB-C power supplies and adapters.

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