Summary of POWER INTEGRATIONS’ NEW MINE-CAP IC REDUCES VOLUME OF AC-DC CONVERTERS BY UP TO 40%
Power Integrations introduced the MinE-CAP IC, a solution for high-power density AC-DC converters that halves bulk capacitor size and reduces adapter volume by up to 40%. By utilizing PowiGaN transistors to manage capacitor segments based on line voltage, the device eliminates the need for NTC thermistors, lowers in-rush current, and improves efficiency without requiring transformer redesigns.
Parts used in the MinE-CAP Project:
- MinE-CAP IC
- PowiGaN gallium nitride transistors
- High-voltage bulk electrolytic capacitors
- Low voltage rated capacitors
- AC-DC converters
- Offline power supplies
Power Integrations , the leader in high-voltage integrated circuits for energy-efficient power conversion, announced the MinE-CAP™ IC for high power density, universal input AC-DC converters. By halving the size of the high-voltage bulk electrolytic capacitors required in offline power supplies, this new type of IC enables a reduction in adapter size of up to 40%. The MinE-CAP device also dramatically reduces in-rush current making NTC thermistors unnecessary, increasing system efficiency and reducing heat dissipation.
Comments Power Integrations’ product marketing director, Chris Lee:
The MinE-CAP will be a game-changer for compact chargers and adapters. Electrolytic capacitors are physically large, occupy a significant fraction of the internal volume and often constrain form factor options – particularly minimum thickness – of adapter designs. The MinE-CAP IC allows the designer to use predominantly low voltage rateding capacitors for a large portion of the energy storage, which shrinks the volume of those components linearly with voltage. USB PD has driven a major market push towards small 65 W chargers and many companies have concentrated on increasing switching frequency to reduce the size of the flyback transformer. MinE-CAP provides more volume saving than doubling the switching frequency, while actually increasing system efficiency.
The MinE-CAP leverages the small size and low RDSon of PowiGaN™ gallium nitride transistors to actively and automatically connect and disconnect segments of the bulk capacitor network depending on AC line voltage conditions. Designers using MinE-CAP select the smallest high-line rated bulk capacitor required for high AC line voltages, and allocate most of the energy storage to lower voltage capacitors that are protected by the MinE-CAP until needed at low AC line. This approach dramatically shrinks the size of input bulk capacitors without compromising output ripple, operating efficiency, or requiring redesign of the transformer.
Conventional power conversion solutions reduce power supply size by increasing switching frequency to allow the use of a smaller transformer. The innovative MinE-CAP IC achieves just as significant overall power supply size reduction while using fewer components and avoiding the challenges of higher EMI and the increased transformer/clamp dissipation challenges associated with high-frequency designs. Applications include smart mobile chargers, appliances, power tools, lighting and automotive.
Read more: POWER INTEGRATIONS’ NEW MINE-CAP IC REDUCES VOLUME OF AC-DC CONVERTERS BY UP TO 40%
- How much can the MinE-CAP reduce adapter size?
The new IC enables a reduction in adapter size of up to 40%. - Does the MinE-CAP eliminate the need for NTC thermistors?
Yes, it dramatically reduces in-rush current making NTC thermistors unnecessary. - What technology does the MinE-CAP leverage for transistor performance?
It leverages the small size and low RDSon of PowiGaN gallium nitride transistors. - Can designers use smaller transformers with this IC?
No, it achieves size reduction without requiring redesign of the transformer. - What is the best way to save volume compared to increasing switching frequency?
MinE-CAP provides more volume saving than doubling the switching frequency. - How does the IC manage bulk capacitor segments?
It actively and automatically connects and disconnects segments depending on AC line voltage conditions. - Are there any applications listed for this technology?
Applications include smart mobile chargers, appliances, power tools, lighting, and automotive. - Does the MinE-CAP affect system efficiency?
Yes, it increases system efficiency and reduces heat dissipation.
