A low-profile, high-performance, GaN converter design for a portable SPV charger

ABSTRACT

The technology requirements for portable gadgets are challenging as they demand miniaturization with smaller footprint power converters, with high performance. A high-frequency switching operation is essential to achieve the above requirements. Further, the converter design needs to be optimum with an effective control loop and component sizing. An attempt is been made to develop a portable charger with high performance using Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices. A 2.5 W, 500 kHz synchronous buck converter suitable for the handy portable application with USB standardization is realized based on an effective design strategy in compensation is discussed. Analog control of the converter with optimized inductance and capacitance for the low-profile design is realized with good stability and transient response. An accurate loss estimation method, with the proposed loop compensation technique, is incorporated leading to a reduction in output capacitance with the needed transient response. The application needs of a Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) charger that demands low-profile design is met with choices of inductor along with operating switching frequency of the GaN device for its high-performance. A low-profile, 4.7 mm height, GaN-based converter with 97.04% efficiency, is evaluated for various conditions of the hand-held SPV module to charge the gadget with USB normalization.

KEYWORDS:

• Gallium Nitride (GaN)
• High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT)
• High Frequency (HF)
• Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV)
• Synchronous Buck Converter (SBC)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Chandrasekar Venkatesan

Chandrasekar Venkatesan received the B.E (EEE) degree from Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore, India, in 1995 and the M.E in Power Electronics and Drives from College of Engineering, Anna University, Chennai, India, in 1997. Subsequently, he joined C-DAC(T) in Power electronics group, where he is currently a Scientist ‘G’/ Sr. Director. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. degree at NIT Tiruchirappalli. His areas of interest are switch-mode power converters for Automotive (EV and HEV) and Industrial applications, Power conditioners for Fuel cell and other renewable power plants, WBG (SiC & GaN) devices based Power Electronics.

Chilakapati Nagamani

Chilakapati Nagamani received the B.Tech. degree from S.V.U.C.E., Tiruapati, M.Tech. degree from IIT,Kanpur, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, Australia, respectively. From 1985 to 1991, she was with the Central Power Research Institute, Bangalore, India. Subsequently, she joined the EEE Department, National Institute of Technology (then known as Regional Engineering College), Tiruchirappalli, India, as a lecturer. Currently, she is a Professor (HAG) with the same department. Her research interests include power electronics and drives, renewable energy systems, WBG power Electronics and FACTS controllers.

Ganesan Saravana Ilango

Ganesan Saravana Ilango graduated from Madras University, Chennai, India, in 2000. He received the M.E degree from Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, India, in 2001, and the Ph.D. degree from National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. From 2001 to 2004, he was a Lecturer with Noorul Islam College of Engineering, Kumaracoil, India. Currently, he is an Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. His research interests include power electronics and drives, renewable energy systems, WBG power Electronics and FACTS controllers.