Development Board
EPC9010C
Quick Start Guide
100 V Half-bridge with Gate Drive, Using EPC2016C
Revision 3.0
QUICK START GUIDE
EPC9010C
DESCRIPTION
The EPC9010C development board is a 100 V maximum device voltage,
7|A maximum output current, half bridge with onboard gate drives,
featuring the EPC2016C enhancement mode (eGaN®) field effect
transistor (FET). The purpose of this development board is to simplify
the evaluation process of the EPC2016C eGaN FET by including all the
critical components on a single board that can be easily connected into
the majority of existing converter topologies.
The EPC9010C development board measures 2” x 2” and contains
two EPC2016C eGaN FETs in a half bridge configuration with the uPI
Semiconductor uP1966A gate driver. The board also contains all critical
components and the layout supports optimal switching performance.
There are also various probe points to facilitate simple waveform
measurement and efficiency calculation. A block diagram of the circuit
is given in figure 1.
Table 1: Performance Summary (TA = 25°C) EPC9010C
Symbol
Parameter
VDD
Gate Drive Input Supply Range
VIN
Bus Input Voltage Range(1)
80
V
IOUT
Switch Node Output Current (2)
7
A
5.5
1.5
V
V
VPWM
Conditions
PWM Logic Input Voltage
Input ‘High’
Threshold
Input ‘Low’
Minimum ‘High’ State Input
VPWM rise and
Pulse Width
fall time < 10ns
Minimum ‘Low’ State Input Pulse VPWM rise and
Width (3)
fall time < 10ns
Min
Max
Units
7.5
12
V
3.5
0
50
ns
200
ns
(1) Maximum input voltage depends on inductive loading, maximum switch node ringing
must be kept under 100 V for EPC2016C.
(2) Maximum current depends on die temperature – actual maximum current is affected
by switching frequency, bus voltage and thermal cooling.
(3) Limited by time needed to ‘refresh’ high side bootstrap supply voltage.
For more information on the EPC2016C please refer to the datasheet
available from EPC at www.epc-co.com. The datasheet should be read in
conjunction with this quick start guide.
QUICK START PROCEDURE
The half bridge development board EPC9010C is easy to set up as buck
or boost converter. Refer to figure 2 for buck converter configuration and
measurement setup, and figure 3 for boost converter setup, and follow the
procedure below:
Buck converter configuration
1. With power off, connect the input power supply bus to VIN (J5, J6) and
ground / return to GND (J7, J8).
2. With power off, connect the switch node (SW) of the half bridge (J3,
J4) to your circuit as required (half bridge configuration). Or use the
provided pads for inductor (L1) and output capacitors (Cout), as shown in
figure 2.
3. With power off, connect the gate drive supply to VDD (J1, Pin-1) and
ground return to GND (J1, Pin-2 indicated on the bottom side of the
board).
Front view
4. With power off, connect the input PWM control signal to PWM1 (J2, Pin1) and ground return to any of GND J2 pins indicated on the bottom side
of the board.
5. Turn on the gate drive supply – make sure the supply is between 7.5 V
and 12 V.
6. Turn on the controller / PWM input source.
7. Making sure the intial input supply voltage is 0 V, turn on the power
and slowly increase the voltage to the required value (do not exceed
the absolute maximum voltage). Probe switching node to see switching
operation.
8. Once operational, adjust the PWM control, bus voltage, and load within
the operating range and observe the output switching behavior,
efficiency and other parameters.
9. For shutdown, please follow steps in reverse.
Back view
EPC9010C development board
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QUICK START GUIDE
EPC9010C
Boost Converter configuration
3. With power off, connect the gate drive supply to VDD (J1,
Pin-1) and ground return to GND (J1, Pin-2 indicated on the
bottom side of the board).
4. With power off, connect the input PWM control signal to
PWM1 (J2, Pin-1) and ground return to any of GND J2 pins
indicated on the bottom side of the board. Note that the
bottom FET gate drive signal is inverted with regard to
PWM1. It is also possible to use separate input PWM signals
by removing R2 and R17 and installing 0 Ω jumpers for R14
and R16.
5. Turn on the gate drive supply – make sure the supply is
between 7.5 V and 12 V.
6. Turn on the controller / PWM input source.
7. Making sure the output is not open circuit, and the input
supply voltage is initially 0 V, turn on the power and slowly
increase the voltage to the required value (do not exceed
the absolute maximum voltage). Probe switching node to
see switching operation.
8. Once operational, adjust the PWM control, bus voltage, and
load within the operating range and observe the output
switching behavior, efficiency and other parameters.
Observe device temperature for operational limits.
Q1
L1
DC
output
CBypass
Cout
Q2
GND
PGND
Gate driver
Figure 1: Block diagram of EPC9010C development board
7.5 – 12 VDC
Optional antiparallel diodes
Output Inductor
VDD supply
(Note polarity)
VMain supply
(Note polarity)
+
2. With power off, connect the input power supply bus to VOUT
(J9, Pin-1) and ground / return to GND (J9, Pin-2), or externally
across the capacitor if the inductor L1 and Cout are provided
externally. Connect the output voltage (labeled as VIN, J5, J6)
to your circuit as required, e.g., resistive load.
Logic and
dead-time
adjust
PWM
Switchnode
Level shift
1. The inductor (L1) and input capacitors (labeled as Cout) can
either be soldered onto the board, as shown in figure 3, or
provided off board. Anti-parallel diodes can also be installed
using the additional pads on the right side of the EPC2016C
FETs.
Gate drive
regulator
VDD
+
Warning: Never operate the boost converter mode without a load
as the output voltage can increase beyond the maximum ratings.
VIN
80 VDCmax
Dead-time adjust
Control
signal
inputs
Output Capacitor
DC load
Figure 2: Buck configuration
7.5 – 12 VDC
Optional antiparallel diodes
Input Inductor
9. For shutdown, please follow steps in reverse.
+
VDD supply
(Note polarity)
DC load
80 VDCmax
Dead-time adjust
Input Capacitor
VMain supply
(Note polarity)
+
Control
signal
inputs
Figure 3: Boost configuration
EPC – THE LEADER IN GaN TECHNOLOGY | WWW.EPC-CO.COM | COPYRIGHT 2019 |
| 3
QUICK START GUIDE
EPC9010C
THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS
The EPC9010C development board showcases the
EPC2016C eGaN FET. The EPC9010C is intended for
bench evaluation with low ambient temperature
and convection cooling. The addition of heat-sinking
and forced air cooling can significantly increase
the current rating of these devices, but care must
be taken to not exceed the absolute maximum die
temperature of 150° C.
NOTE. The EPC9010C development board does not have any
current or thermal protection on board. For more information
regarding the thermal performance of EPC eGaN FETs, please
consult:
D. Reusch and J. Glaser, DC-DC Converter Handbook, a
supplement to GaN Transistors for Efficient Power Conversion,
First Edition, Power Conversion Publications, 2015.
Voltage measurement:
Input voltage for Buck,
Output voltage for Boost
(HIGH VOLTAGE!)
Q1 gate MMCX
(HIGH VOLTAGE!)
Q1 gate MMCX
V
Switch-node
output
Switch-node oscilloscope probe
Ground oscilloscope probe
Q2 gate
Ground
Figure 4: Measurement top side
MEASUREMENT CONSIDERATIONS
When measuring the high frequency content switch
node, care must be taken to provide an accurate high
speed measurement. An optional two pin header
(J10) is included for switch node measurement.
MMCX connector footprint is also provided (J15 in
figure 5) to measure switch node.
Switch-node oscilloscope probe
Ground oscilloscope probe
Low-side gate voltage (VGS2) can be measured at
the two pin header (J22) or the MMCX (J12). Please
refer to figure 4. R7 (0 Ohm resistor) will need to be
installed.
High-side gate voltage (VGS1) can only be measured
using the MMCX connector (J11). Please refer to
figure 4. R6 (0 Ohm resistor) will need to be installed.
Switch-node MMCX
Differential probe is recommended for measuring
high-side gate. IsoVu probes from Tektronix has
mating MMCX connector.
Figure 5: Measurement bottom side
For regulator passive voltage probes (e.g. TPP1000)
measuring low-side gate or switch node using
MMCX connector, probe adaptor is available. PN:
206-0663-xx.
10%-90% rise time
90%-10% fall time
8 V/div
NOTE. For information about measurement techniques,
the EPC website offers: “AN023 Accurately Measuring
High Speed GaN Transistors” and the How to GaN
educational video series, including: HTG09- Measurement
5 ns/div
tr = 1.5 ns
tf = 2.8 ns
VIN = 48 V, VOUT = 12 V, IOUT = 5 A, fsw = 500 kHz, L = 3.3 μH
Figure 6: Typical switch-node waveform when operated as a buck converter
EPC – THE LEADER IN GaN TECHNOLOGY | WWW.EPC-CO.COM | COPYRIGHT 2019 |
| 4
QUICK START GUIDE
EPC9010C
Table 2: Bill of Materials
Item
Qty
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
2
1
2
1
2
1
8
10
9
7
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
4
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
1
1
1
2
2
1
1
2
7
1
2
Reference
Part Description
Manufacturer
Part Number
C4, C10, C11
C5, C6
C9
C12, C14
C15
C16, C17
C20
C21, C22, C23, C24, C25,
C26, C34, C35, C36, C37
C27, C28, C29, C30, C31,
C32, C33
D1, D2, D5, D6
D3
D4
D7, D8
Q1, Q2
Q3
U1
U2
U3
U4
R1, R15
R2, R3, R17
R4
R5
R9
R19, R21
R20, R22
R24
R25
J1, J22
J2, J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8
J10
TP1, TP2
Capacitor, 1 μF, 10%, 25 V, X7R
Capacitor, 0.1 μF, 10%, 25 V, X7R
Capacitor, 0.1 μF, 10%, 25 V, X7R
Capacitor, 0.1 μF, 10%, 16 V, X7R
Capacitor, 0.022 μF, 10%, 25 V, X7R
Capacitor, 100 pF, 10%, 50 V, X7R
Capacitor, 4.7 μF, 10%, 10 V, X5R
TDK
TDK
Yageo
Murata
TDK
Yegeo
TDK
C1608X7R1E105K
C1608X7R1E104K
CC0402KRX7R8BB104
GRM155R71C104KA88D
C1005X7R1E223K050BB
CC0402KRX7R9BB101
C1005X5R1A475K050BC
Capacitor, 1 μF 100 V 20% X7S
TDK
C2012X7S2A105M125AB
Capacitor, 0.22 μF, 10%, 100 V, X7S
Taiyo Yuden
HMK107C7224
Schottky Diode, 30 V, 30 mA
Schottky Diode, 40 V, 300 mA
Zeer Diode, 5.1 V, 150 mW
Schottky Diode, 100 V, 2 A
eGaN FET, 100 V, 11 A, 16mΩ
eGaN FET, 100 V, 0.5 A, 3300mΩ
IC GATE NAND 1CH 2-INP 6MICROPAK
100 V eGaN Driver
Linear Voltage Regulator IC P, 5 V, 250 mA
IC GATE AND 1CH 2-INP 6-MICROPAK
Resistor, 10.0 k, 5%, 1/10 W
Resistor, 0 Ω, 1/10 W
Resistor, 150 Ω, 1%
Resistor, 200 Ω, 1%
RES SMD 0.0 Ω Jumper 1/16 W
Resistor, 2.7 Ω, 5%, 1/10 W
Resistor, 500 mΩ, 1%, 1/8 W
Resistor, 27 kΩ, 5%, 1/10 W
Resistor, 20 Ω, 5%, 1/16 W
Connector, .1" Male Vert.
Connector, .1" Male Vert.
Connector, .1" Male Vert.
SMT test point
Diodes Inc.
ST
Bournes
Vishay
EPC
EPC
Fairchild
uPI
Microchip
Fairchild
Yageo
Stackpole
Stackpole
Stackpole
Stackpole
Panasonic
Yageo
Panasonic
Stackpole
Würth
Tyco
Würth
Keystone
SDM03U40
BAT54KFILM
CD0603-Z5V1
SS2PH10-M3
EPC2016C
EPC2038
NC7SZ00L6X
uP1966A
MCP1703T-5002E/MC
NC7SZ08L6X
RC0603JR-0710KL
RMCF0603ZT0R00
RMCF0603FT150R
RMCF0603FT200R
RMCF0402ZT0R00
ERJ-2GEJ2R7X
PT0402FR-7W0R5L
ERJ-2GEJ273X
RMCF0402JT20R0
61300211121
4-103185-0-04
61300211121
5015
Reference
Part Description
Manufacturer
Part Number
Optional Components
Item
Qty
1
1
Cout
TBD
Generic
Generic
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
3
2
1
3
1
2
L1
R10, R14, R16
R6, R7
R18
J11, J12, J15
J9
P1, P2
TBD
Resistor, 0 Ω, 1/10 W
Resistor, 0.0 Ω, 1/16 W
Resistor, 4.7 Ω, 5%, 1/10 W
MMCX Connector Jack
7.62 mm Euro Term.
Trimmer, 1 kΩ, 1/4 W
Generic
Stackpole
Stackpole
Panasonic
Molex
Würth
Murata
Generic
RMCF0603ZT0R00
RMCF0402ZT0R00
ERJ-2GEJ4R7X
734152063
691216410002
PV37W102C01B00
EPC – THE LEADER IN GaN TECHNOLOGY | WWW.EPC-CO.COM | COPYRIGHT 2019 |
| 5
OUT
R3
C25
1 F,
100 V
VCC
0
C4
1 F,
25 V
Int. Regulator
VCC
1
U4
NC7SZ 08L6X
A
B
1
Y
R4
C34
1 F,
100 V
VIN
1
R 18
2
5VH S1
4
EM PTY
C12
100 nF, 16 V
C35
1 F,
100 V
C36
1 F,
100 V
Gbtst
2
VIN
C26
1 F,
100 V
D4
CD 0603-Z5V1
5V 1, 150 mW
Deadtime Upper
P1 EMPTY
D5
SDM03U40
40 V 30 mA
VIN
C23
1 F,
100 V
C24
1 F,
100 V
C32
220 nF,
100 V
VIN
C27
220 nF,
100 V
C33
220 nF,
100 V
HIN
C28
220 nF,
100 V
C29
220 nF,
100 V
C30
220 nF,
100 V
C31
220 nF,
100 V
Main Supply Input
J5
4.7 V
1
C14
C15
100 nF, 16 V
R24
27 k
22 nF, 25 V
R6
0
EMPTY
2
R 25
20
VIN
1
2
D8
100 V , 2 A
SS2PH10-M3
EMPTY
EMPTY
D6
SDM03U40
40 V 30 mA
2
T P2
J11
1
D1
SDM03U40
VG1
V SW
2
C5
100 nF, 25 V
1 R 16
0
EMPTY
C22
1 F,
100 V
Synchronous Boostrap Power Supply
VCC
PWM1
C21
1 F,
100 V
C37
1 F,
100 V
V SW
TBD
2
VIN
VIN
1
PWM2
R 17
0
VIN
C11
1 F,
25 V
E PC2038
100 V 2800 m
Q3
VCC
VIN
1
2
3
4
IN
C10
1 F, 25 V
.1" Male Vert.
VIN
4
3
2
1
2
1
VLDO
V 7in
VIN
MMCX
vGS1 probe adapter
J6
J3
1
2
3
4
V 7in
VCC
0
EMPTY
U3
MCP1703T- 5002E/MC
GND
J1
R 10
QUICK START GUIDE
Direct Drive
A
R2
0
5VH S1
Deadtime Lower
2
P2 EMPTY
LIN
V SW
HIN
B
E PC2016C
VSW
R 19 2 7
R 20 0
LIN
D2
SDM03U40
PWM2
1 R 14 2
0
EMPTY
C20
4.7 F, 10 V
R 22 0
C16
100 pF, 50 V
C17
100 pF, 50 V
4.7 V
J9
1
2
7.62 mm Euro Term.
EMPTY
Cout
TBD
J7
2
1
GND
.1" M ale V ert.
PWM1
VG2
1
PWM1
PWM2
Sync Buck Output
VOUT
J22
R1
10 k
R7
0
EMPTY
J12
TP1
J8
1
2
EMPTY
MMCX
vGS2 probe adapter
2
1
2
3
4
Q2
E PC2016C
0
VOUT
VOUT
uP1966A
Direct Drive
J2
.1" Male Vert.
D7
100 V , 2 A
SS2PH10-M3
EMPTY
VG2
R9
VG2
J4
TBD
EMPTY
VCC
R 21 2
C6
100 nF, 25 V
L1
VSW
D3
40 V 300 mA
BAT54KFILM
EMPTY
VG1
4.7 V
VCC
4
3
2
1
U2
2
TBD
Q1
1
2
3
4
PWM1
U1
NC7SZ 00L6X
1
R5
C9
0.1 F, 25 V
4
3
2
1
1
SW Output
VG1
VG2
VCC
1
EPC – THE LEADER IN GaN TECHNOLOGY | WWW.EPC-CO.COM | COPYRIGHT 2019 |
Ext. Regulator
V 7in
Logic Supply Regulator
Logic Supply
7.5 VDC - 12 VDC
V SW
J10
2
1
EMPTY
vSW probe holes
vSW probe adapter
MMCX
V SW
J15
1
2
EMPTY
1
PWM2
2
R15
10 k
EPC9010C
Figure 7: EPC9010C - Schematic
| 6
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Demonstration Board Notification
The EPC9010C board is intended for product evaluation purposes only. It is not intended for commercial use nor is it FCC approved for resale. Replace components on
the Evaluation Board only with those parts shown on the parts list (or Bill of Materials) in the Quick Start Guide. Contact an authorized EPC representative with any questions. This board is
intended to be used by certified professionals, in a lab environment, following proper safety procedures. Use at your own risk.
As an evaluation tool, this board is not designed for compliance with the European Union directive on electromagnetic compatibility or any other such directives or regulations. As board
builds are at times subject to product availability, it is possible that boards may contain components or assembly materials that are not RoHS compliant. Efficient Power Conversion Corporation (EPC) makes no guarantee that the purchased board is 100% RoHS compliant.
The Evaluation board (or kit) is for demonstration purposes only and neither the Board nor this Quick Start Guide constitute a sales contract or create any kind of warranty, whether express
or implied, as to the applications or products involved.
Disclaimer: EPC reserves the right at any time, without notice, to make changes to any products described herein to improve reliability, function, or design. EPC does not assume any liability
arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit described herein; neither does it convey any license under its patent rights, or other intellectual property whatsoever, nor the
rights of others.
