National projects
The project “Development of linear power supplies in GaN technology for lighting and smart grid applications ” (PB_GANSUP) is supported by an earmarked grant from the President of the Lukasiewicz Center.
Total value of the project: 2 003 219,00 PLN
Funding: 1 949 094,00 PLN
In recent years, there has been an intensive increase in the number of electrical appliances supplied from the mains via pulsed circuits using solid-state switches, so-called linear power supplies. Classic solutions use Si silicon diodes and transistors. New technologies for wide band gap devices, such as silicon carbide SiC and gallium nitride GaN, offer the possibility of building devices with higher efficiency and smaller dimensions, but with the same power rating as the Si technology, due to their performance characteristics. GaN transistors are now commercially available. The technology is under intensive development at a number of research centres. Although the current parameters of available transistors allow the design of linear power supplies, such solutions are not yet common on the market. Gaining experience in device design with GaN technology will give a corresponding technology advantage to the SBŁ Institutes, which can then be exploited by the domestic electronics industry. The design of the 50 W linear power supply can provide a solid foundation for future projects for higher-power and potentially higher-efficiency circuits required for the transformation of the electricity system into a modern smart grid. The project concerns the application of modern GaN transistors through the design of a 50 W linear power supply for use in LED lighting devices. As part of the project, the power supply will be developed in the form of a model plant and two prototypes (prototype 1 and 2) using GaN transistors commercially available on the market, the selection of which will be preceded by a comparative analysis taking into account, among other things, the electrical parameters, prices, availability and dimensions of the transistors, in order to optimise the power supply. A batch of the selected transistor type will be subjected to additional tests to verify the parameters declared by the manufacturer in the data sheet and additional tests giving potential information on the reliability of their operation. The final version of the linear power supply (prototype 2) will take into account the experiences and improvements of prototype 1. During various stages of the PSU’s development, it will undergo testing in accredited laboratories of the SBŁ for compliance with standards, including safety of use and electromagnetic compatibility testing. The results of the research in the form of reports can be used for subsequent certification during the implementation phase. Research work related to the optimisation of the power supply design with a view to reducing unit production costs, taking into account preferred electronic components, PCB manufacturing process, assembly, etc., will also be an important aspect. These activities are aimed at increasing the cost-effectiveness of the implementation of the final product.
