GaN, or gallium nitride, is a semiconductor material used in a charger’s power switch. Compared with traditional silicon-based switches, it can control electricity faster and at a higher frequency.
Because the switch works faster, the charger can deliver the same amount of power through more switching cycles. Each cycle then handles less energy, allowing key components such as the transformer to be made smaller.
Imagine transporting 10 tons of goods in one hour. One option is to use a large truck that makes one trip. Another is to use several smaller trucks that make more frequent trips. Each small truck carries less, but the total amount delivered remains the same.
A GaN charger works in a similar way. Its power circuit switches more frequently, so each cycle handles less energy. This allows other components, especially transformers, to become smaller. Other parts can then be arranged more closely, reducing the overall size of the charger.
However, in real applications, engineers also need to consider heat management, stable output, EMC, and other practical requirements. A reliable GaN charger is not created simply by using a GaN power switch, but through the careful work and expertise of engineers throughout the design process.
