240W Charger Evaluation Board with Single-Stage PFC

Eggtronic, a company based in Italy, has recently unveiled an innovative evaluation board (EVB) tailored for smaller 240W power delivery (PD) 3.1 applications that require fast charging capabilities.

The SmartEgg 240W PD 3.1 EVB charger design, developed by Eggtronic, boasts a peak efficiency exceeding 95% and maintains an operational efficiency of over 90% across varying load levels, from light to full load.

This cutting-edge design integrates a single stage that merges zero voltage switching (ZVS) power factor correction (PFC) with quasi-forward isolated regulation. This unique combination significantly reduces the bill of materials (BOM) and shrinks the size of key components such as storage capacitors and magnetics when compared to traditional PFC+LLC and PFC+Asymmetric Half-Bridge (AHB) architectures.

One notable aspect of the 240W charger design is its ability to deliver up to 50% energy savings at light loads. Additionally, it achieves an impressive power density of 21.9W/in3 (1.34W/cm3), enabling the support of extremely compact charger designs while simultaneously reducing the overall bill of materials.

The foundation of this design lies in the Eggtronic SmartEgg AC-DC architecture, featuring proprietary mixed-signal, low-power EPIC (Eggtronic Power Integrated Controller) 2.0 IC controllers. These controllers come equipped with built-in protection mechanisms against overpower, overvoltage, overtemperature, short circuits, and brownouts.

Eggtronic's CEO and founder, Igor Spinella, emphasized the importance of meeting consumer demands for small, lightweight, high-power-density technologies that minimize charge time and cost. Spinella stated, "The new SmartEgg 240W PD 3.1 EVB empowers engineers to address these demands efficiently with a minimal number of low-cost components."

In a recent development, Eggtronic secured €15 million in funding for its wireless power initiatives, further solidifying its position as a key player in the power electronics industry.

The SmartEgg 240W PD 3.1 evaluation board is supplied as a dual-port module that offers flexibility for customization. The EPIC 2.0 controller, with its support for multiple slave buck converters, allows for quick modifications to accommodate varying numbers of charging ports. Through I2C communication, the master EPIC IC on the secondary side can adjust power distribution to each port, enabling tailored power sharing behavior based on specific requirements.

For more information on Eggtronic's EPIC 2.0 controller, visit their official website here.