Adaptive base and emitter switched drive technology enables safe use
of low-cost bipolar junction transistor switches
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Power Integrations (Nasdaq:POWI),
the leader in high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient
power conversion, today announced the LinkSwitch™-4
family of CV/CC primary-side regulated (PSR) switcher ICs. The LinkSwitch-4
product family features an advanced adaptive base and emitter switched
drive scheme for bipolar junction transistor switches (BJTs) that
substantially improves power conversion efficiency and eliminates
reliability concerns due to secondary breakdown. The new family of
devices targets chargers and adapters required to meet stringent new
efficiency rules from the US Department of Energy (DoE) and European
Code of Conduct (CoC), both of which are scheduled to come into force in
January 2016. The new DoE rules, known as DoE-6, require efficiency
compliance measurements to be taken at the end of the charger USB cable;
LinkSwitch-4 exceeds the requirements while using a low-complexity
Schottky diode secondary, even for high-current 1.5 A and 2 A smartphone
chargers.
LinkSwitch-4
ICs incorporate a multimode PWM/PFM controller with a quasi-resonant
switching strategy to maximize the efficiency, meet <30 mW no-load and
at the same time maintain fast transient response. A high operating
frequency of up to 65 kHz enables transformer size to be minimized, and
the minimum peak current is fixed to improve transient load response.
Devices compensate for a number of factors including: transformer
inductance tolerances; input line voltage variations; cable voltage
drop; and external component temperature variations. Very accurate IC
parameter tolerances are maintained using proprietary trimming
technology.
Comments Mike Matthews, Power Integrations’ vice president of product
development: “The LinkSwitch-4
controller’s adaptive base and emitter switched drive scheme boosts
switching performance and delivers higher efficiency than is possible
using existing BJT or MOSFET switchers. The technique also eliminates
secondary breakdown associated with BJTs and reduces sensitivity to
variation in current gain, allowing use of very low cost BJTs. The
adaptive base-emitter switched drive technology not only provides design
and manufacturing flexibility in the choice of BJT transistors by
dynamically optimizing BJT switching characteristics but also
dramatically improves the reliability of BJTs based solutions.”
Suitable for chargers for cell/cordless phones, PDAs, MP3 and other
portable audio devices, adapters, and more, LinkSwitch-4
ICs are available in SOT-23-6 and SO-8 packages. Devices cost $0.16 to
$0.25 in 10,000-piece quantities. The datasheet can be downloaded now
from Power Integrations’ website at http://ac-dc.power.com/products/linkswitch-family/linkswitch-4.
About Power Integrations
Power
Integrations, Inc. is a leading innovator in semiconductor
technologies for high-voltage power conversion. The company’s products
are key building blocks in the clean-power ecosystem, enabling the
generation of renewable energy as well as the efficient transmission and
consumption of power in applications ranging from milliwatts to
megawatts. For more information please visit www.power.com.
Power Integrations, LinkSwitch and the Power Integrations logo are
trademarks or registered trademarks of Power Integrations, Inc. All
other trademarks are the property of their respective owner.
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Source: Power Integrations, Inc.