Called EPC9177, the converter is intended to meet the demands of multi-port chargers and on-motherboard power conversion from 28 – 48Vin to 12 – 20Vout.
The module operates at 720kHz switching frequency and is set to deliver 12V at up to 20A continuously (15A without a heatsink). Efficiency is >97.3% with 48Vin.
The active area (left) is 21 x 13mm and implements a synchronous buck converter with the EPC23102 (yellow highlight) integrated half-bridge. The DSPIC33-based controller is on the other side of the same footprint.
“With the advent of USB PD 3.1,” said EPC, “the output voltage for USB charging increases from 20V to 48V and the power increases from 100W up to 240W. This higher power enables USB charging beyond laptop and cell phone fast charging to applications including gaming PCs, power tools and ebikes.”
48V allows 240W to be achieved through 5A rated cables, but multi-port chargers can also support lower outputs such as 5, 12 or 20V to be compatible with a wider range of devices. “A dc-dc regulator will be required resident on the motherboard of the gaming PC or power tools to convert the 48V to 20V and 12V input”, said EPC.
The 3MHz EPC23102 half-bridge has a level-shifter, driver and two 100V 6.6mΩ hemts.
EPC9177 is available from Digi-Key, and the circuit diagram is here