SDI200G Series GaN Adapters | First Look Video

Welcome to First Look, brought to you by Digi-Key and CUI, a Bel Group company.

AC to DC power adapters might be the most common electronic device manufactured today. Among their countless applications, we use them to charge our phones and laptops or to power gaming consoles and TVs. For decades, these have been designed using silicon transistors, and while we’re quickly approaching the limitations of silicon, gallium nitride transistors provide a path for smaller, lighter, more efficient, and cooler power adapters.

GaN transistors offer multiple performance advantages that improve efficiency by reducing conduction and switching losses. Conduction losses occur when the transistor is on and are dominated by the on-state resistance of the transistor, which is lower with GaN for a given breakdown voltage. Switching losses occur due to currents that flow as the transistors switch between their on and off states, and GaN’s faster switching and lack of a body diode both lead to lower switching losses.

The faster switching also allows for higher frequency operation. This allows the use of smaller inductors, which are some of the largest components in a power converter. The form factor of the adapter can be further reduced due to GaN’s thermal advantages. The higher efficiency generates less heat, but GaN also offers higher thermal conductivity and can operate at higher temperatures, allowing designers to use smaller heatsinks and fans.

CUI’s compact desktop power adapters using GaN technology increase power density by up to 250% while meeting DoE Level VI and CoC Tier 2 efficiency requirements. The 160W and 200W power adapters are offered with 2- or 3-prong inlets and operate from a universal AC input, with outputs available from 12V to 56V. The have integrated protection functions and PFC, and comply with relevant safety standards.