EPC starts volume production of 100 V integrated GaN power stages

Efficient Power Conversion has moved its 100 V ePower Stage IC family into mass production, targeting robotics, drones and compact motor-drive systems. The launch pairs the chips with evaluation boards and a technical white paper as EPC ramps availability through major distributors.

Why it matters: - EPC is pushing integrated gallium nitride deeper into high-performance motor control, where smaller size, higher efficiency and simpler layouts can speed up product development. - The new 100 V power-stage family is aimed at robotics, drones, industrial drives and other battery-powered systems that need compact, high-density power conversion. - Volume production and broad distribution make the parts easier for engineers and OEMs to design in at scale.

What happened: - Efficient Power Conversion announced mass production of its 100 V integrated GaN power-stage IC family: EPC23108, EPC23109, EPC23110 and EPC23111. - The ePower Stage ICs are now in volume production. - The devices are available through EPC's global distribution network, including Digi-Key and Mouser. - EPC also released three-phase BLDC motor-drive evaluation boards: EPC91128, EPC91129, EPC91130 and EPC91131. - EPC is also publishing a technical white paper in English and Chinese for the new IC family.

The details: - The monolithic ePower Stage ICs combine high-side and low-side eGaN FETs, gate drivers and level-shifting circuitry in a thermally enhanced QFN package. - The family supports up to 100 V operation. - Current ratings are 35 A and 20 A, depending on the device. - The ICs include fast fault shutdown, safe gate control during power-loss conditions and 100% continuous duty-cycle operation. - Single-input PWM options are included for simpler multi-axis motor-control designs. - The EPC91128, EPC91129, EPC91130 and EPC91131 boards are built around the four new ICs. - The evaluation platforms add gate drivers, current and voltage sensing, housekeeping power supplies, temperature monitoring and protection features. - EPC lists applications including humanoid robots, drones, industrial motor drives, medical equipment, synchronous rectification and high-density DC-DC converters. - In 3000-piece quantities, EPC23108 and EPC23109 are priced at US$3.70 each. - In 3000-piece quantities, EPC23110 and EPC23111 are priced at US$2.47 each. - EPC91128 and EPC91129 are priced at US$640 each. - EPC91130 and EPC91131 are priced at US$630 each. - The press release says production is ramping up.

Between the lines: - EPC is positioning integrated GaN as a design simplifier, not just a performance upgrade. - The combination of chip, evaluation boards and reference material suggests EPC wants to shorten the path from prototype to deployment. - CEO Alex Lidow said the move to volume production reflects strong market demand for integrated GaN power stages that simplify design while delivering performance and reliability.

What's next: - EPC expects the new IC family to support further adoption in robotics, drones and other motion-control platforms. - Engineers can use the new white paper and evaluation boards to validate designs before moving to production. - Broader distribution through Digi-Key and Mouser should expand access as ramps continue.

The bottom line: - EPC is turning its 100 V GaN power-stage lineup into a production product, with pricing, evaluation hardware and documentation in place to help customers move faster.