The increasing prevalence of portable electronic devices with rechargeable batteries has created a need for convenient and reliable charging options. Unfortunately, the lack of standardization in charger and adapter equipment has resulted in the need for multiple chargers for different devices, which can be inconvenient for end-users. To address this issue, new challenges have arisen that require travel chargers to be designed to meet the demands of modern electronics. These devices need to be compact, lightweight, and efficient while still providing improved charging power, battery capacity, and charging time.

With that, USB power delivery (USB-PD) technology has emerged as the ideal solution. Together with the introduction of GaN devices, Infineon’s CoolGaN™ technology sets a new standard for operations at high switching frequencies allowing the volume of passive components to shrink, improving overall density. A compact-sized charging solution with higher power is now here to make charging faster and more efficient, simplifying the end-user experience.

However, implementing USB-PD technology brings about new complexities to be addressed. This whitepaper demonstrates the capabilities of Infineon’s available system solutions and acts as a guideline for design engineers to find their ideal solution for their design requirements.

Download this updated whitepaper to:

  1. Select the proper topology for fast charger designs
  2. Choose the right GaN switch to attain higher efficiency and power density
  3. Identify the right controllers for efficient, reliable, and safe power management
  4. Explore Infineon’s latest reference designs

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Enable high-density USB-C charger designs at competitive cost with Infineon’s system solutions

The increasing prevalence of portable electronic devices with rechargeable batteries has created a need for convenient and reliable charging options. Unfortunately, the lack of standardization in charger and adapter equipment has resulted in the need for multiple chargers for different devices, which can be inconvenient for end-users. To address this issue, new challenges have arisen that require travel chargers to be designed to meet the demands of modern electronics. These devices need to be compact, lightweight, and efficient while still providing improved charging power, battery capacity, and charging time.

With that, USB power delivery (USB-PD) technology has emerged as the ideal solution. Together with the introduction of GaN devices, Infineon’s CoolGaN™ technology sets a new standard for operations at high switching frequencies allowing the volume of passive components to shrink, improving overall density. A compact-sized charging solution with higher power is now here to make charging faster and more efficient, simplifying the end-user experience.

However, implementing USB-PD technology brings about new complexities to be addressed. This whitepaper demonstrates the capabilities of Infineon’s available system solutions and acts as a guideline for design engineers to find their ideal solution for their design requirements.

In this whitepaper, you will learn how to:

  1. Choose the proper topology for fast charger designs
  2. Identify a suitable power switch for high-efficiency designs
  3. Improve wired communication capabilities with proper selection of a USB-C protocol controller

The platform comprises two components:

  • A brushless DC motor controller using
    • (3) RIC7S113L4 rad hard gate drivers
    • (6) IRHNJ9A7034 rad hard R9 60 V, N-channel MOSFETs – R9 uses superjunction technology, delivering superior performance and efficiencies with low risk design reuse
  • A 3D inverted pendulum using reaction wheels and three of these motor controllers to balance on its vertex

Key applications

  • Reaction wheels for attitude control and stabilization
    Reaction wheels are crucial components for spacecraft and satellite attitude control and stabilization. They provide precise rotational control by utilizing the principle of conservation of angular momentum. By spinning at high speeds, these wheels can alter the spacecraft's orientation without using traditional propellant-based thrusters, reducing fuel consumption and extending the satellite's operational lifespan. When a reaction wheel changes its speed, it induces a reaction torque that counteracts any external disturbances or unwanted rotational motion, allowing the satellite to maintain a desired attitude for various tasks such as Earth observation, communication, and scientific missions.
  • Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) for accurate measurement and determination of the spacecraft's motion and orientation
    Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) are vital instruments used in satellites for accurate measurement and determination of the spacecraft's motion and orientation. They typically consist of gyroscopes and accelerometers. Gyroscopes measure angular velocity, providing information about the satellite's rotation rates and changes in its orientation. Accelerometers, on the other hand, gauge linear acceleration, allowing the determination of changes in velocity and acceleration. By combining data from both sensors, IMUs can precisely calculate the satellite's position, velocity, and attitude in three-dimensional space. This information is crucial for navigation, guidance, and control systems, enabling satellites to accurately execute maneuvers, maintain desired orbits, and ensure optimal pointing for various applications like Earth observation, navigation, and communication.

Explore Infineon’s latest topologies to get started on your designs

To optimize charger and adapter performance, Infineon has built a portfolio of design solutions that integrate varied components designed to work together seamlessly. Allow faster design cycles and quicker time-to-market for new products with these recommended quasi-resonance (QR) flyback topologies:

With the announcement of the USB PD 3.1 standard, higher power levels of up to 240 W are enabled. Still, the wide output voltage range from 5 V to 48 V raises new challenges for the converter topologies currently in use. An asymmetrical half-bridge flyback topology is introduced as the most suitable combination for USB-PD chargers and adapters with wide input and output voltage range:

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The active clamp flyback (ACF) topology was also a recent introduction to improve the power density in chargers. It is suitable for higher frequency operation than the QR flyback due to its zero-voltage switching (ZVS) operatio

Explore our latest portfolio, paired with Infineon’s EZ-PD™ PAG2 Power Adapter Generation 2

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