STMicroelectronics is working to improve the efficiency of consumer electronics through gallium nitride (GaN)-based power conversion solutions. By applying a design that integrates power switching and control functions, the company aims for both miniaturization and energy savings.

ST announced on the 18th that it has launched the 'VIPerGaN100W' and 'VIPerGaN100WB', 100W-class high-voltage converters for energy-efficient home appliances and electronic devices. Both products are designed for application in various fields, including home appliances, smart lighting, TVs, and chargers.

The new product is characterized by the integration of power switch, gate driver, and flyback converter functions into a single chip. The company explained that it operates based on 700V GaN power transistors and ensures efficiency and durability through low on-resistance (RDS(on)) characteristics.

The product consists of the VIPerGaN100W with an output current of 3.5A and the VIPerGaN100WB with a maximum output limit of 4.2A. Both models support universal AC input from 85V to 265V and can output 100W under 185V conditions.

In addition, the flyback converter and gate driver are integrated, designed to achieve switching performance without the need for separate external component adjustments.

The company stated that by utilizing GaN-based high-frequency switching characteristics, circuits can be constructed with small passive components, thereby increasing power density and efficiency. To verify this, ST also presented a reference design for a USB Type-C PD 3.0 adapter.

This reference supports multi-stage output configurations from 5V to 20V and provides a peak efficiency of over 92% and a power density of 24W/in³.

The converter operates using a quasi-resonant-based zero-voltage switching (ZVS) method and is designed to maintain efficiency by adjusting the switching frequency according to load conditions. Frequency foldback is applied under light loads, while valley skipping is applied under medium and high loads.

It also supports a burst mode that reduces power consumption to less than 30mW under no-load conditions. In addition, it includes input and output overvoltage, overheating, and brown-in/brown-out protection functions.

ST stated that the product is currently being supplied through its e-store and official distribution channels, and is available for bulk orders starting at $1.25 per unit.