Infineon Technologies provides highly integrated solutions for USB-C charger unification

Munich, Germany, October 25, 2021 - Using energy in a responsible manner is a fundamental element of innovation in the field of energy efficiency and will also help create a greener planet. Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY), ​​a global leader in the power semiconductor market, continues to invest and innovate in semiconductor technologies and solutions that meet future needs for environmentally friendly applications, high performance and ease of design.

EZ-PD™ BCR (Barrel Connector Replacement) is a highly integrated USB-C controller that, with the addition of a USB-C connector, replaces barrel connectors, custom connectors, or legacy USB connectors in electronic devices. The EZ-PD BCR solution supports the USB Power Delivery (PD) standard and is compatible with all USB-C chargers without the need for firmware development.

The European Union's recently released revised version of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) proposes to unify the charging ports of most electronic devices to reduce the e-waste generated by obsolete or incompatible chargers. The proposal calls for USB-C as a universal charging port, so that users can use USB-C chargers to charge their devices regardless of the brand of their device. This universal charging standard unifies fast charging technology and avoids unreasonable charging speed restrictions caused by using chargers of different brands when charging a device.

The universal charger proposal also suggests separating the sale of chargers from electronic devices, so that consumers can purchase electronic devices without chargers. This will significantly reduce the purchase of unnecessary chargers and the number of idle chargers, ultimately reducing the generation of electronic waste.

Adam White, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Infineon's Power & Sensor Systems Division, said: "Infineon is committed to providing customers with solutions that help them stand out from the competition in terms of performance while contributing to a greener future. Our end-to-end solution for USB-C charging delivers the best performance and the highest level of system reliability while also meeting modern ecological requirements: it is energy efficient and is designed to reduce e-waste. Every year, around 11,000 tons* of e-waste is generated by discarded chargers. This must change and Infineon is ready to support this change. Our power semiconductor portfolio includes industry-leading discrete and integrated silicon as well as new-generation GaN products to meet any conceivable design need of our customers."

Using a USB-C charging port with EZ-PD BCR on the receiving end can bring many benefits to consumers and manufacturers. Consumers will not be restricted by the connector type or product manufacturer when choosing a charger, which can bring greater convenience to consumers. Manufacturers can also benefit by integrating multiple chargers into a standard USB-C charger. EZ-PD BCR significantly reduces the bill of materials (BOM) of the USB-C receiving end power system and ensures compliance and interoperability with the USB-C specification through USB-IF certification.

On the power supply side of the charger, the latest CoolGaN™IPS 600 V device uses the most reliable GaN and driver technology on the market, combining high efficiency, reliability and ease of use. Under the premise of the same power, GaN technology can provide higher switching frequency and higher output power for chargers of the same or smaller size. The combination will bring extremely high power density, making this device the first choice for fast charging charger design. Compared with silicon devices, CoolGaN has 10 times the advanced breakdown field strength and 2 times the electron mobility. The key to CoolGaN's high-frequency operation ability is that its output and gate charge are 10 times lower than silicon-based devices, and its reverse recovery charge is almost zero.

In addition to the positive impact on the environment, standardized integration and synthetic manufacturing cost savings make the EZ-PD BCR solution a natural choice for manufacturers.

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For more information on Infineon’s broad portfolio of USB-PD Type-C solutions, please visit: Detailed information on Infineon’s contribution to energy efficiency.

About Infineon Technologies

Infineon Technologies AG is a world-leading semiconductor technology company that makes people's lives more convenient, safer and environmentally friendly. Infineon's microelectronic products and solutions will lead you to a better future. In fiscal year 2020 (ending September 30), the company's sales reached 8.5 billion euros and it has approximately 46,700 employees worldwide. In April 2020, Infineon officially completed the acquisition of Cypress Semiconductor, successfully becoming one of the top ten semiconductor manufacturers in the world.

Infineon Technologies China

Infineon Technologies AG officially entered the Chinese mainland market in 1995. Since the establishment of its first company in Wuxi in October 1995, Infineon's business has achieved very rapid growth. With about 2,000 employees in China, Infineon has become an important driving force for the development of Infineon's global business. Infineon has established a complete industrial chain in China covering R&D, production, sales, marketing, technical support, etc., and has carried out in-depth cooperation with leading domestic enterprises and universities in sales, technology R&D, talent training and other aspects.