Pulsiv tackles USB-C
Reference designs and finished modules offer more than 95 percent average efficiency
Pulsiv, a Cambridge, UK, power electronics company, is set to release a series of reference designs and assembled modules for USB-C applications that will deliver an average efficiency of more than 95 percent.
These have been developed in collaboration with GaN firm Innoscience and magnetics expert Frenetic. Designs will be released throughout 2024 to support what are described as a new class of sustainable USB-C chargers, adapters, and in-wall sockets.
The first 65W solution is due to be released towards the end of March 2024.
The front-end of the design uses Pulsiv Osmium technology to efficiently manage the AC to DC conversion process with zero inrush current and no input voltage derating. Using an intelligent active valley fill approach, this patented method also enables the use of smaller system components compared to conventional designs. T
he DC-DC converter in the 65W variant is based on an industry standard QR flyback, however, when combining a Pulsiv OSMIUM front-end design with optimised magnetics from Frenetic, it is now possible to use an EQ20 core which provides a 20 percent reduction in the Flyback Transformer size.
Frenetic’s CEO Chema Molina comments: “By leveraging Pulsiv’s unique Osmium technology, we’ve been able to highly optimise the magnetics to reduce size and enhance the efficiency of the Flyback Transformer to levels we’ve not seen before. This significant development will enable customers to achieve new levels of performance, size, and cost and we’re excited to be part of such an innovative solution”.
The use of GaN components from Innoscience has helped to further minimise losses by lowering the Rdson and reducing parasitic capacitance while also optimising the overall BoM cost. General manager for Innoscience EMEA Denis Marcon adds: “We’ve successfully demonstrated that GaN technology is perfectly suited to improving the performance of power electronics designs. Pulsiv Osmium technology adds further benefits by significantly improving the overall average efficiency and reducing energy waste. I’m delighted that Pulsiv has selected Innoscience GaN e-mode devices (InnoGaN) for their 65W reference design.”
Pulsiv chief product officer, Tim Moore has been managing the roadmap of USB-C solutions and comments: “We are very excited to be bringing this game-changing technology to the market and deliver our mantra of ‘doing more while using less’. By achieving more than 95 percent average efficiency, it enables us to provide efficient in-wall USB-C solutions that safely manage the critical thermal requirements. This enhances reliability, minimises overall size, and optimises cost to set a world-leading precedent in USB-C power supplies.”
