RCS - Frontier IP Group - Portfolio news – Pulsiv releases 65W USB-C design

Frontier IPAnnouncement

14/08/2024 07:00

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RNS Number : 3264A  Frontier IP Group plc  14 August 2024

Reach - a non-regulatory announcement

AIM: FIPP

14 August 2024

 

Frontier IP Group Plc

("Frontier IP" or the "Group")

 

 

Portfolio news - Pulsiv releases the world's most efficient 65W USB-C
reference design

 

Frontier IP, a specialist in commercialising intellectual property, today
welcomes the following announcement from portfolio company Pulsiv Limited (the
"Company" or "Pulsiv") that it has launched the world's most efficient 65 Watt
USB-C reference design.

 

The ground-breaking technology promises to expand and open up new markets for
the USB-C fast charging global standard because it enables operation at much
lower temperatures, minimizes energy loss as power is converted, and reduces
the size of critical components. Frontier IP holds an 18.2 per cent equity
stake in the Company as at the 31 December 2023, the last reporting date.

 

Pulsiv's 65W USB-C fast charger works at temperatures 30 per cent lower than
equivalent technologies on the market today, based on thermal measurements
taken after 30 minutes running at full load. It operates at 96 per cent
efficiency, meaning only 4 per cent of the converted electricity is lost
through heat, a number which has been independently verified.

 

The Company believes the performance is a world best. The design is ideal for
applications where space and heat sensitivity are an issue. The Company is
initially targeting in-wall plug sockets that incorporate USB C charging.

 

Including a USB-C port in a socket removes the need for plugs and power
converters. The global market is already worth an estimated $1.5 billion a
year, but growth has been constrained by concerns about overheating,
reliability and potential fire risks caused by high operating temperatures.

 

For consumers, because the Pulsiv USB-C charger wastes much less energy, then
the costs of charging and powering their devices are much lower. The Company
is also looking to launch more designs in the coming months which will further
push the boundaries of power conversion.

 

The 65W USB-C charger technology has already attracted interest from potential
customers.

 

Neil Crabb, Frontier IP Chief Executive Officer, said: "The launch of this
world-leading USB-C fast charging technology is a tremendous achievement for
Pulsiv. It paves the way to making in-wall sockets featuring USB-C ports
ubiquitous, among many other possible applications, and enabling the USB-C
standard to  reach its full potential."

 

Pulsiv statement begins:

 

Pulsiv releases the world's most efficient 65W USB-C design with 30 per cent
lower temperatures integrated half-active bridge and 96% efficiency

 

Cambridge 14th August 2024

Pulsiv Limited, the Cambridge (UK) innovator of power electronics technology,
announce the release of the world's most efficient* 65W USB-C GaN optimised
reference design developed to address the complex challenges associated with
thermal performance in power supplies. This ground-breaking and highly
anticipated development is set to revolutionize the USB-C fast charging space
by offering a unique combination of features and benefits not seen in other
designs.

The PSV-RDAD-65USB reference design combines Pulsiv OSMIUM technology with an
industry standard QR Flyback and highly optimized, ultra-compact magnetics. It
represents the first in a series of designs aimed at pushing the boundaries of
power conversion by drastically lowering operating temperatures, minimizing
losses, and reducing size to create a sustainable platform for the USB-C
standard.

Pulsiv's Chief Product Officer, Dr Tim Moore has been managing the development
of this design and comments: "Our mantra has always been focused on developing
solutions that "do more while using less" and this design demonstrates how
Pulsiv OSMIUM technology can deliver fast charging without the associated
complexity of managing high temperatures. The demand for more power and faster
charging of cordless products is rapidly increasing which impacts everything
from mobile phones to power tools. This means more power is needed in a small
form factor which is even more critical when developing in-wall/desk solutions
which are sensitive to heat. With 30% lower component temperatures, no inrush
current, and high efficiency, we enable designs to become safer, smaller, and
be more reliable.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specification Overview

 Input Voltage Range:     90 - 265VAC (no input voltage derating)
 Output Voltage           5 - 20VDC supporting PD3.0, QC4.0, BC1.2, & PPS (Fast Charging)
 Output Power             65W max
 Transformer Temperature  30.3°C above ambient
 Operating Frequency      125kHz
 Peak Efficiency          96%
 Average Efficiency       95%
 Half-Active Bridge       Included
 Line Currents            0.5A max
 Inrush Current           Eliminated
 GaN Optimised            Yes
 DC-DC Converter          Quasi-Resonant (QR) Flyback

 

 

 

 

 

Taking ultra-cool operation & fast charging to a whole new level

 

The Pulsiv OSMIUM reference design demonstrates a significant improvement in
thermal performance and reduces critical component temperatures by more than
30% compared to other designs. At full load, the Flyback transformer reaches
an impressive 33.9°C at 230VAC and 30.3°C at 265V above an ambient
temperature of 26.1°C. This incredible achievement is likely to set a new
benchmark and enables 65W fast charging in space constrained environments
and/or heat sensitive applications such as in-wall plug sockets that
incorporate USB-C connectivity.

 

Optimize efficiency and space with a half-active bridge

 

Pulsiv OSMIUM technology senses AC line voltage and frequency to adjust
capacitor charging time, therefore the circuit draws no line current at the AC
zero voltage crossing. This enables a simple half-active bridge implementation
to increase efficiency, especially at low line conditions. MOSFETs in the
lower half of the AC to DC bridge are carefully controlled, in combination
with high-side diodes. The half-active bridge in this design strikes the
delicate balance between efficiency, cost, and complexity and supports
universal input with efficiency gains of 0.7% at full load from a 115V AC
supply.

 

Innovative magnetics reduce transformer size by 20%

 

Pulsiv OSMIUM technology generates a HVDC output that varies between the peak
AC input and 150V to drive the QR Flyback at maximum efficiency. The wider
voltage range significantly reduces primary side inductance to enable the use
of an EQ20 transformer which was developed in partnership with magnetics
experts Frenetic. Their CEO Chema Molina comments: "Our team of magnetics
experts have demonstrated that Pulsiv OSMIUM technology maximises efficiency
and reduces the size of the Flyback Transformer to a level we've not seen
before. This significant development will enable customers to improve
performance, reduce size, and lower the cost of their design and we're excited
to be part of such an innovative solution". This results in a 20% size
reduction & 50% efficiency improvement compared to an RM8 core typically
used in other designs.

 

Minimize losses with GaN optimization

 

GaN Transistors from Innoscience have lowered the RDSon and parasitic
capacitance to reduce losses and optimize cost in both the flyback and
synchronous rectifier sub-systems. General Manager for Innoscience EMEA Denis
Marcon adds: "We've demonstrated that GaN technology is perfectly suited to
increasing efficiency, reducing losses, and optimising cost but Pulsiv OSMIUM
technology adds further benefits by significantly improving the overall
performance and reducing energy waste. Their technology is truly
game-changing, and I'm delighted that Pulsiv has chosen to incorporate
Innoscience GaN devices in this reference design."

 

Design package & evaluation boards

 

The PSV-RDAD-65USB document package is available to download free from the
Pulsiv website and includes a Datasheet, Schematics, Bill of Materials, &
Altium files. The PSV-EBAD-65USB evaluation board enables rapid lab testing
and can be pre-ordered now for delivery in the 2nd half of August through a
network of franchised distribution partners including global stockist Digikey.

(Pulsiv PSV-EBAD-65USB Evaluation Board)

 

For more information on this ground-breaking design, please visit
www.pulsiv.com

 

 

 

Pulsiv Chief Product Officer Dr Tim Moore

 

Pulsiv statement ends

 

ENQUIRIES

 

 Frontier IP Group Plc                                                T: 020 7332 2338
 Neil Crabb, Chief Executive                                          neil@frontierip.co.uk

 Andrew Johnson, Communications & Investor Relations                  M: 07464 546 025

 Group website: www.frontierip.co.uk (http://www.frontierip.co.uk/)
 Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser)                          T: 0203 328 5656

 Nick Athanas / George Payne

ABOUt pulsiv

Pulsiv was founded in 2013 by Dr Zaki Ahmed after he successfully patented new
& intelligent methods for improving power conversion efficiency. Located
in Cambridge (UK) and Plymouth (UK), we design & develop world-leading
electronic solutions for AC to DC Power Supplies and Solar Energy applications
using a growing suite of over 85 patents. Our unique power electronics
technology can benefit billions of consumer & industrial devices whilst
also enhancing every photovoltaic installation around the world.

 

Our goal is to maximize performance, simplify thermal management, and reduce
overall energy waste enabling future products to become safer, more reliable,
and less harmful to the environment. Our team combines expertise in Scientific
Research, Intellectual Property, Product Design, Semiconductors, Consumer
Devices, Sales, Marketing, & Distribution to deliver best-in-class
products that can be successfully deployed on a global scale.

www.pulsiv.com

 

ABout frontier IP

Frontier IP unites science and commerce by identifying strong intellectual
property and accelerating its development through a range of commercialisation
services. A critical part of the Group's work is involving relevant industry
partners at an early stage of development to ensure technology meets real
world demands and needs.

The Group looks to build and grow a portfolio of equity stakes and licence
income by taking an active involvement in spin-out companies, including
support for fund raising and collaboration with relevant industry partners at
an early stage of development.

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