GaN FETs enable laser diode control in nanoseconds for advanced automotive autonomy

EPC has introduced three evaluation boards – EPC9179, EPC9181, and EPC9180 – featuring pulse current laser drivers of 75A, 125A, and 231A , showcasing EPC's AEC-Q101 GaN FETs. These FETs, EPC2252, EPC2204A, and EPC2218A, are 30% smaller and more cost-effective than their predecessors. Designed for long and short-range automotive lidar systems, these boards speed up solution evaluation with varied input and output options.

All boards share identical functionality, differing only in peak current and pulse width. Using a resonant discharge power stage, they employ a ground-referenced GaN FET driven by LMG1020 gate driver. The GaN FET's ultrafast switching allows rapid discharge of a charged capacitor via the load's stray inductance, facilitating peak discharge currents of tens to hundreds of amps within nanoseconds. The PCB is designed to minimize power loops and common source inductance while offering mounting flexibility for laser diodes or alternative loads. To enhance user-friendliness, all boards ship with EPC9989 interposer PCBs, featuring various footprints to accommodate various laser diodes or other loads. Customers can select one that fulfils their needs to evaluate the GaN solutions.

The boards are created to be triggered from 3.3V logic or differential logic signals such as LVDS. For single-ended inputs, the boards can work with input voltages down to 2.5V or 1.8V with a simple modification. Developing an automotive lidar system is complex, and finding a reliable resolution is challenging. The purpose of these evaluation boards is to simplify the evaluation of powerful GaN-based lidar drivers that switch faster and deliver higher pulse current than other semiconductor solutions. For technical details, the company provides full schematics, BOM, PCB layout files, and a quick start guide on its website.

"To meet the growing demand for automotive lidar, these cost-effective boards, featuring our latest AEC products, streamline evaluation, reducing time-to-market with exceptional switching performance," said Alex Lidow, CEO, and co-founder of EPC.