EPC GaN FETs Enable 4 kW High-Efficiency Converter

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) announced that its EPC2361 enhancement-mode gallium nitride (GaN) FETs are used in a 4 kW buck-boost converter reference design from Analog Devices (ADI). The EVAL-LT7930-AZ platform combines ADI’s LT7930 controller with EPC’s 100 V GaN transistors to demonstrate high-efficiency, high-current power conversion for industrial equipment, telecommunications systems, battery charging, and other high-power applications.

The reference design uses a dual-phase, interleaved buck-boost topology, accepting input voltages from 36 V to 65 V and providing a 48 V output. It supports up to 4 kW of output power, with typical conversion efficiency reaching 98.5% at 36 V and 48 V input and 98.8% at 65 V input. The interleaved architecture distributes current between two phases, supporting high-power operation while helping manage electrical and thermal stresses.

At the heart of the power stage, the EPC2361 is a 100 V enhancement-mode GaN transistor rated for 133 A, with a typical on-resistance of 0.75 mΩ. Its compact 3 mm × 5 mm package supports high power density, while low conduction losses and low gate charge help reduce switching and drive losses. The device also eliminates the reverse-recovery charge associated with the body diode of conventional silicon MOSFETs, an advantage in high-frequency switching applications.

The reference design also highlights the importance of optimizing gate drive for GaN power stages. The LT7930-based platform incorporates gate drivers optimized for GaN FETs and programmable dead-time control. For the EPC2361, the evaluation platform sets dead time to 10 ns to balance switching behavior and reverse-conduction losses while maintaining safe operation. Accurate dead-time adjustment is particularly important in high-efficiency converters, where excessive dead time can increase losses.

Beyond this reference design, the EPC2361 targets high-power AC-DC power supplies, high-frequency DC-DC converters, data center power systems, motor drives, robotics, drones, and solar maximum power point tracking (MPPT) systems.

EPC makes the EPC2361 available through its global distribution network, including Digi-Key and Mouser. The company also provides device documentation, simulation models, and evaluation hardware to support engineering assessment and integration into custom power-conversion designs.

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