EPC 180 W GaN Buck Converter Evaluation Board for USB Power Delivery Applications

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) has released a new evaluation board that highlights just how far GaN-based power conversion has come. The EPC91109 is a compact, thermally efficient 180 W buck converter board designed to meet the growing power needs of USB Power Delivery (USB-PD 3.1) applications without needing a heatsink or forced air. Designed around four 50 V EPC2057 GaN FETs and Analog Devices’ LTC7890 controller, this two-phase synchronous buck converter delivers selectable output voltages of 12 V, 16 V, or 20 V from a 20–36 V input. With support for up to 14.3 A output current in interleaved mode, it neatly matches the full 180 W USB PD envelope at 12 V. What sets the EPC91109 apart is not just performance, but form factor. The 24 mm x 24 mm power stage, combined with a 3 mm low-profile inductor, means the board can be used in space-constrained designs like laptops, mobile power banks, and other portable systems. Peak efficiency exceeds 98%, making it an excellent showcase of how GaN devices can replace silicon in size-sensitive applications without sacrificing thermal performance. “The EPC91109 shows GaN’s power density and efficiency for USB PD. It’s a compact, robust platform that needs no heatsink or airflow—even at full power,” said Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC. This launch underscores EPC’s drive to bring GaN technology into the mainstream. As power demands increase and device footprints shrink, traditional silicon struggles to keep up. Evaluation boards like this give designers a hands-on route to explore the advantages of GaN in real-world designs. To explore the board, view full specs, or order samples, visit the EPC91109 product page. Read the original announcement here.