Commergy Introduces New Power Circuit for Notebook Adaptors

Commergy Ltd. has announced its Breeze™ Lite adaptor technology for notebook adaptors. A major concern of the notebook carrying "road warrior" is the size and weight of the ubiquitous adaptor. The company claims that its proprietary power supply circuit can reduce the size and weight of power adaptors by over a third. The new circuit increases the efficiency of the adaptor from an average 88% efficiency to 93%. This reduces the heat dissipated within the adaptor by 40%, enabling the case size to be reduced in size by a similar amount. This is important as the power of high-end notebook computers is increasing as graphics and memory capability improve, and adaptor size is becoming a major concern for both notebook marketers and users alike.

The new circuit is inherently "green"; exceeding all current and envisaged EPA guidelines, and reduces the amount of power wasted as heat by 40%. It also anticipates the new no-load power dissipation EPA guideline of 500mW. It also eliminates the annoying spark experienced by users when plugging into the line and has Power Factor Correction (to EN61000-3-2 class D) built in. Commergy is currently licensing manufacturers to use its technology and has already signed its first licensee.

The new high efficiency topology, dubbed "Breeze™ Lite", uses a proprietary PFC front-end combined with a hysteretic controlled synchronous output stage using a low-cost hybrid analog/digital state machine to regulate its output. The topology has inherently high-efficiency at low-line and achieves 93% efficiency over a range covering the key voltage requirements for notebook adaptors. Within a 45C case rise requirement, at a maximum ambient of 35°C, a typical 90W design can be packaged in a 45mm x 105mm x 29mm case.

A particular advantage of the topology is inherent inrush limiting – typically 7A hot or cold – that virtually eliminates the sparking experienced by users plugging into low ac line outlets. The Commergy Breeze Lite adaptor operates at over 90% energy efficiency over 70% of its load range at 90Vac, and is claimed to be 35% more efficient than published data for other adaptors in its class. The no-load stand by power measures at 425mA at 230Vac and is comfortably under the new 500mW proposed EPA guideline for adaptors. The Adaptor has inherent Power Factor Correction and meets Class D, EN61000-3-2 at 230Vac and as scaled for 100Vac line input current. Designs have been proven at output voltages from 5V (operating at 89% efficiency) and 20V (93% efficiency) and meet EN61000 Flicker, ESD and Power Line Disturbance criteria. Designs have been completed from 50W of output power to 90W. Future plans include Adaptors up to 200W based on the same topology featuring similar size and weight reduction advantages. Commergy is entertaining proposals for integration on the control technology and is licensing its designs currently for a variety of applications.