EPC9017

Figure 4: Typical Waveforms for VIN = 48 V to 5 V/14 A (500 kHz) Buck converter CH1: Switch node voltage (VSW) - CH2: PWM input voltage (VPWM) NOTE. The EPC9017 development board does not have any current or thermal protection on board. Figure 3: Proper Measurement of Switch Node – VSW EFFICIENT POWER CONVERSION EPC The EPC9017 development board showcases the EPC2001 eGaN FET. Although the electrical performance surpasses that for traditional silicon devices, their relatively smaller size does magnify the thermal management requirements. The EPC9017 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 125°C. Minimize loop Place probe tip on probe pad at OUT Ground probe against TP3 THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS NOTE. When measuring the high frequency content switch node (OUT), care must be taken to avoid long ground leads. Measure the switch node (OUT) by placing the oscilloscope probe tip through the large via on the switch node (designed for this purpose) and grounding the probe directly across the GND terminals provided. See Figure 3 for proper scope probe technique. 1. With power off, connect the input power supply bus to +VIN (J5, J6) and ground / return to –VIN (J7, J8). 2. With power off, connect the switch node of the half bridge OUT (J3, J4) to your circuit as required. 3. With power off, connect the gate drive input to +VDD (J1, Pin-1) and ground return to –VDD (J1, Pin-2). 4. With power off, connect the input PWM control signal to PWM (J2, Pin-1) and ground return to any of the remaining J2 pins. 5. Turn on the gate drive supply – make sure the supply is between 7 V and 12 V range. 6. Turn on the bus voltage to the required value (do not exceed the absolute maximum voltage of 100 V on VOUT). 7. Turn on the controller / PWM input source and probe switching node to see switching operation. 8. Once operational, adjust the bus voltage and load PWM control within the operating range and observe the output switching behavior, efficiency and other parameters. 9. For shutdown, please follow steps in reverse. Development board EPC9017 is easy to set up to evaluate the performance of the EPC2001 eGaN FET. Refer to Figure 2 for proper connect and measurement setup and follow the procedure below: Do not use probe ground lead Figure 2: Proper Connection and Measurement Setup EFFICIENT POWER CONVERSION EPC Figure 1: Block Diagram of EPC9017 Development Board – (For Efficiency Measurement) PWM Input VDD Quick Start Procedure PWM Input Logic and Dead-time Adjust – VIN V LM5113 Gate Driver Gate Drive Gate Drive Supply Regulator External Circuit OUT VIN Half-Bridge with Bypass Switch Node + IIN VIN Supply +