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Nexperia announced that the ongoing expansion of its NextPower 80 V and 100 V MOSFET portfolio is continuing apace with the release of several new LFPAK devices in industry-standard 5×6 mm and 8×8 mm footprints. These new NextPower 80/100 V MOSFETs are optimized for low (RDSon) and low Qrr, to deliver high efficiency and low spiking in applications including servers, power supplies, fast chargers and USB-PD as well as for a wide range of telecommunications, motor control and other industrial equipment. Designers can choose from a range of 80 V and 100 V devices, with (RDSon) from 1.8 mΩ to 15 mΩ.
Many MOSFET manufacturers focus on achieving high efficiency through low QG(tot) and low QGD, when benchmarking the switching performance of their devices against alternative offerings. However, through extensive research, Nexperia has identified Qrr as being even just as important due to its impact on spiking and, in turn, the amount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated during device switching.
By focusing on this parameter, Nexperia has considerably reduced the level of spiking produced by its NextPower 80/100 V MOSFETs and hence also lowered the amount of EMI they produce. This brings significant benefits for end users by reducing the probability of a costly late-stage redesign to include additional external components if their application fails electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing.
The on-resistance (RDSon) of these new MOSFETs has been reduced by up to 31% compared to currently available devices. Nexperia also plans to further strengthen its NextPower 80/100 V portfolio later this year with the release of an additional LFPAK88 MOSFET offering RDS(on) down to 1.2 mΩ @ 80 V, as well as introducing the power dense CCPAK1212 to the portfolio. To further support design-in and qualification of these devices, Nexperia offers the availability of award-winning interactive datasheets, providing engineers with comprehensive and user-friendly insights into device behavior.
Original – Nexperia
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Navitas Semiconductor announced unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.
“We are pleased with our Q2 results at the high end of our guidance, major new design wins, and significant technology advances and launches,” said Gene Sheridan, CEO and co-founder. “Our leading- edge technology is fueling robust customer pipeline growth in each end market, led by AI data centers with multiple customers ramping production with our GaN and SiC-based power systems.”
2Q24 Financial Highlights
- Revenue: Total revenue grew to $20.5 million in the second quarter of 2024, a 13% increase from $18.1 million in the second quarter of 2023.
- Loss from Operations: GAAP loss from operations for the quarter was $31.1 million, compared to a loss of $27.2 million for the second quarter of 2023. On a non-GAAP basis, loss from operations for the quarter was $13.3 million compared to a loss of $9.6 million for the second quarter of 2023.
- Cash: Cash and cash equivalents were $112.0 million as of June 30, 2024, with no debt.
Market, Customer and Technology Highlights
- Enterprise / AI Data Center: Growing family of AC-DC power platforms up to 10 kW to meet nVidia’s Hopper-Blackwell-Rubin roadmap, with up to 480 kW power demand per rack. Optimized combination of industry-leading Gen-3 Fast SiC and GaNSafe™ technologies sets new AC-DC efficiency (97%) and power density (140 W/in3) benchmarks. Customer pipeline doubled since December ’23 investor day, with over 60 customer projects in development, and another 7 data center design wins in Q2.
- EV / eMobility: Strong growth in customer pipeline, now with over 200 projects. Strong interest in 22 kW on-board charger platform, contributing to 15 design wins in Q2, and on-track for first GaN revenues in EV by the end of 2025.
- Appliance / Industrial: Customer pipeline grew beyond the $380 million stated in December, with revenue ramp expected in 2025 across diverse customers and regions, including 7 of the top 10 appliance leaders. 25 new project wins expected to ramp production in 2025 or 2026, including haircare, washers, dryers, refrigerators, heat pumps, industrial HVAC, robotics and automation applications.
- Solar / Energy Storage: As displacement technologies, SiC (for string inverters and storage) and GaN (for micro-inverters) are replacing legacy silicon chips, with over 100 customer projects, including the majority of the top 10 solar players. 6 new commercial design wins in Q2, and on track for expected US GaN-based micro-inverter ramp next year.
- Mobile / Consumer: Mobile customers increasing GaN adoption for their fast-charger portfolios. GaN adoption at Xiaomi and OPPO is expected to be 30% in 2024. Following wins for Samsung’s Galaxy S23 and S24 phones, Navitas now powers chargers for Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Flip6, Z Fold6 and all A-series phones. In notebook PCs, GaNFast was adopted again by Lenovo and Dell. Overall, another 16 GaNFast chargers launched in Q2, bringing the all-time total to over 470 designs, and Navitas remains #1 in mobile fast charging.
- New GaNSlim™ Portfolio: with integration, ease-of-use and low-cost manufacturing methods – continues to grow the customer pipeline, now with over 50 customer projects across mobile, consumer and home appliance markets.
Business Outlook
Third quarter 2024 net revenues are expected to be $22.0 million plus or minus $500 thousand. Non-GAAP gross margin for the third quarter is expected to be 40% plus or minus 50 basis points and non-GAAP operating expenses are expected to be approximately $21.5 million.
Original – Navitas Semiconductor
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Infineon Technologies AG reported financial results for the third quarter of its 2024 fiscal year (period ended 30 June 2024).
“In a market environment that remains challenging, Infineon continues to hold up well,” says Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon. “The recovery in our target markets is progressing only slowly. Prolonged weak economic momentum has resulted in inventory levels in many areas overlaying end demand. In addition to managing the current demand cycle, we are working on further strengthening our competitiveness through the “Step Up” structural improvement program.”
- Q3 FY 2024: Revenue €3.702 billion, Segment Result €734 million, Segment Result Margin 19.8 percent
- Outlook for Q4 FY 2024: Assuming an exchange rate of US$1.10 to the euro, revenue of around €4.0 billion expected. On this basis, the Segment Result Margin is forecast to be around 20 percent
- Outlook for FY 2024: Based on the results from the first three quarters and the outlook for the fourth quarter, revenue of around €15.0 billion and a Segment Result Margin of around 20 percent is expected. Adjusted gross margin is expected to be in the low-forties percentage range. Investments are planned at around €2.8 billion. Adjusted Free Cash Flow, which is adjusted for investments in large frontend buildings and the purchase of GaN Systems, is expected to be about €1.5 billion and reported Free Cash Flow about minus €200 million
For the full version of this news release (incl. financial data), please download the PDF version.
Original – Infineon Technologies
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Navitas Semiconductor announced that Samsung had expanded adoption of Navitas’ GaNFast ICs from the original flagship Galaxy S22, S23 and S24 to the mainstream Galaxy A, and revolutionary Galaxy Z Fold6 and Galaxy Z Flip6 smartphones with enhanced Galaxy AI features.
GaN runs up to 20x faster than legacy silicon and enables chargers up to 3x more power and 3x faster charging in half size and weight. GaNFast power ICs enable high-frequency, high-efficiency power conversion, achieving up to a 50% shrink vs. prior designs.
The new 25W charger (EP-T2510) features new energy-saving technology to reduce standby losses by 75% to only 5 mW, which aligns with Navitas’ environmental advances, where every GaNFast IC saves 4 kg of CO2 vs. legacy silicon chips.
“Since enabling the world’s first production GaN charger in 2018, Navitas has pioneered and leads the adoption of GaN to replace legacy silicon chips,” noted David Carroll, Sr. VP Worldwide Sales for Navitas. “Our production partnership with Samsung dates back to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and today’s announcement reflects the dramatic expansion of GaN from niche, flagship designs to adoption in high-volume, mainstream phones.”
Original – Navitas Semiconductor
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Microchip Technology Incorporated reported results for the three months ended June 30, 2024.
Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 were $1.241 billion, down 45.8% from net sales of $2.289 billion in the prior year’s first fiscal quarter.
GAAP net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $129.3 million, or $0.24 per diluted share, down from GAAP net income of $666.4 million, or $1.21 per diluted share, in the prior year’s first fiscal quarter. For the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, GAAP net income was adversely impacted by amortization of acquired intangible assets associated with our previous acquisitions.
Non-GAAP net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 was $289.9 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, down from nonGAAP net income of $905.3 million, or $1.64 per diluted share, in the prior year’s first fiscal quarter. For the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, our non-GAAP results exclude the effect of share-based compensation, other manufacturing adjustments, expenses related to our acquisition activities (including intangible asset amortization, severance, and other restructuring costs, and legal and other general and administrative expenses associated with acquisitions including legal fees and expenses for litigation and investigations related to our Microsemi acquisition), professional services associated with certain legal matters, and losses on the settlement of debt.
For the first quarters of fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024, our nonGAAP income tax expense is presented based on projected cash taxes for the applicable fiscal year, excluding transition tax payments under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. A reconciliation of our non-GAAP and GAAP results is included in this press release.
Microchip announced that its Board of Directors declared a record quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 45.4 cents per share, up 10.7% from the year ago quarter. The quarterly dividend is payable on September 5, 2024 to stockholders of record on August 22, 2024.
“We delivered June 2024 quarterly results in line with our guidance as we continued to navigate a challenging macro environment in combination with our customers focusing on reducing their inventory positions based on short lead times for our products,” said Ganesh Moorthy, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our strategic cost management actions have helped maintain financial resilience and operational efficiency in the face of a 6.4% sequential revenue decline this quarter.”
Mr. Moorthy added, “While the ‘green shoots’ we observed last quarter have continued, they have not developed as robustly as anticipated. The macro environment particularly for industrial and automotive markets, especially in Europe and the Americas, continues to be weaker than expected, resulting in an extended period over which the inventory correction is playing out. Despite customers’ short-term focus on reducing inventory, we believe that our expanded portfolio, now spanning 8 to 64-bit processors including FPGAs as well as our analog portfolio, positions us well for sustainable, abovemarket growth across a diverse set of applications.”
Eric Bjornholt, Microchip’s Chief Financial Officer, said, “Despite market challenges, we have maintained our financial health through proactive cost and balance sheet management. While inventory levels exceeded our target range, which is reflective of broader challenging market conditions, we are confident that this inventory positions us well to service customers with short lead times. We believe that our inventory level along with our investment in capacity will allow us to cost-effectively respond when business conditions improve. Our strategy is designed to balance near-term challenges with long-term growth opportunities.”
Mr. Moorthy concluded, “Despite the green shoots we observed last quarter developing slower than expected, we do see additional positive business signals, like an uptick in our Data Center business. While in-quarter orders remain crucial for meeting guidance, as is typical in this high-turns environment, uncertain market conditions add complexity to forecasting. As a result, we anticipate September quarter net sales between $1.12 billion and $1.18 billion. We are navigating these unusual market conditions with a balance of prudence and readiness to be well-positioned to capitalize on upside opportunities. Despite near-term inventory and macro challenges, our design-in pipeline and momentum remains strong across markets, driven by our customers’ innovation focus. This design momentum, amplified by our focus on Total System Solutions and key Megatrends, is our engine for long-term growth.”
Original – Microchip Technology
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Many different trends are taking center stage in both consumer electronics and industrial applications, such as portability, electrification, and weight reduction. All of these trends require compact and efficient designs. They also go hand in hand with unconventional PCB designs with severe space constraints that limit the use of external components.
To address these challenges, Infineon Technologies AG expands its GaN portfolio with the CoolGaN™ Drive product family. It consists of the CoolGaN Drive 700 V G5 single switches, integrating one transistor plus gate driver in PQFN 5×6 and PQFN 6×8 packages, as well as the CoolGaN Drive HB 600 V G5 devices, combining two transistors with integrated high- and low-side gate drivers in a LGA 6×8 package. The new product family enables improved efficiency, reduced system size, and overall cost savings. This makes the devices suitable for longer-range e-bikes, portable power tools, and lighter-weight household appliances such as vacuums, fans, and hairdryers.
“For several years, Infineon has been focused on accelerating innovation in GaN to provide targeted solutions for real-world power challenges”, said Johannes Schoiswohl, Senior Vice President & General Manager, GaN Systems Business Line Head at Infineon. “The new CoolGaN Drive product family is another proof point of how we support our customers in developing compact designs with high power density and efficiency through GaN.”
The CoolGaN Drive family offers a wide range of single switches and half bridges with integrated drivers based on the recently announced CoolGaN Transistors 650 V G5. Depending on the product group, the components feature a bootstrap diode and are characterized by loss-free current measurement, and adjustable switch-on and switch-off dV/dt. They also provide OCP/OTP/SCP protection functions. As a result, the devices enable higher switching frequencies, leading to smaller and more efficient system solutions with high power density. At the same time, the bill of materials (BoM) is reduced. This not only results in a lower system weight, but also reduces the carbon footprint.
Samples of the half-bridge solutions are available now. Single-switch samples will be available starting Q4 2024. Further information is available at www.infineon.com/GaN-innovations.
Original – Infineon Technologies
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Navitas Semiconductor extended its new portfolio of Gen-3 ‘Fast’ (G3F) 650 V SiC MOSFETs into a thermally-enhanced, rugged, high-speed, surface-mount TOLL (Transistor Outline Leadless) package designed for demanding, high-power, high-reliability applications.
Combining high-power capability and best-in-class low on-resistance of 20 to 55 mΩ, these 650 V SiC MOSFETs have been optimized for the fastest switching speed, highest efficiency, and increased power density demanded by applications such as AI data center power supplies, EV charging and energy storage and solar solutions (ESS).
Navitas’ GeneSiC products use a proprietary ‘trench-assisted planar’ technology that provides world-leading efficiency performance over the temperature range, with G3F MOSFETs delivering high-speed, cool-running performance that ensures up to 25°C lower case temperatures and up to 3x longer life than alternative SiC products.
Navitas’ latest 4.5 kW AI power system reference design features the G3F45MT60L (650V 40 mΩ, TOLL) G3F SiC MOSFET in an interleaved CCM-TP PFC topology. Complemented by the NV6515 (650V, 35mΩ, TOLL) GaNSafe™ Power IC in the LLC stage, the 4.5 kW solution has a peak efficiency above 97% and, at 137 W/inch3, it is the world’s highest power density AI PSU. For 400 V-rated EV battery systems, G3F in TOLL is an ideal technology for on-board chargers (OBC), DC-DC converters, and traction drives ranging from 6.6 to 22 kW.
The surface-mount TOLL package offers a 9% reduction in junction-to-case thermal resistance (RTH,J-C), 30% smaller PCB footprint, 50% lower height, and 60% smaller size than the traditional D2PAK-7L, enabling highest-power-density solutions, as demonstrated in the 4.5 kW AI solution. Additionally, with a minimal package inductance of only 2 nH, excellent fast-switching performance and lowest dynamic losses are achieved.
The G3F family in TOLL package is released and available for purchase.
Original – Navitas Semiconductor
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Renesas Electronics Corporation and Altium Limited announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Altium by Renesas. The definitive agreement to acquire Altium was announced on February 15, 2024.
The combination sets the foundation for Renesas and Altium to create an innovative electronics system design and lifecycle management platform. The platform will deliver integration and standardization of various electronic design data and functions and enhanced component lifecycle management, while enabling seamless digital iteration of design processes to increase overall productivity. This brings significantly faster innovation and lowers barriers to entry for system designers by reducing development resources and inefficiencies.
“This is a historical milestone for both Renesas and Altium as we take another important step forward in bringing enhanced user experience for electronics system designers,”said Hidetoshi Shibata, CEO of Renesas. “The integrated and open electronics system design and lifecycle management platform we aim to build together will make electronics accessible to broader market, for any enterprises regardless of their size or industry. I want to reaffirm that our commitment to upholding data security and compliance of the Altium customers will continue to be our top priority. With the addition of Altium’s design software and cloud platform capabilities, we are excited to change the future of electronics system design with Aram and his industry-leading, talented software engineering team”
With the transaction now closed, Altium is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas. Altium CEO Aram Mirkazemi has assumed the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Renesas’ Software & Digitalization. He concurrently serves as CEO of Altium.
“This is a pivotal moment for Altium and marks the beginning of an exciting future with Renesas,” said Aram Mirkazemi, CEO of Altium. “With Renesas’ support and expertise, we are looking forward to accelerating the cloud-enablement of all industry processes associated with electronics design and development. This will make electronics accessible to a broader market and lay the foundation for software defined products.”
Renesas’ acquisition of Altium has been effected today by way of a Scheme of Arrangement under Australian law (“Scheme”). Under the terms of the Scheme, Renesas Electronics NSW Pty Ltd, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Renesas, acquired all of the outstanding shares of Altium for A$68.50 in cash per share, for a total equity value of approximately A$9.1 billion (approximately 887.9 billion yen at an exchange rate of 97 yen to the A$). Renesas funded the acquisition through bank loans. As part of the implementation of the Scheme, Altium ordinary shares were suspended from trading on the Australian Securities Exchange at the close of trading on July 19, 2024, and Altium will be removed from the Official List of the Australian Securities Exchange at the close of trading on August 2, 2024.
Original – Renesas Electronics
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Aehr Test Systems has completed its acquisition of Incal Technology, Inc., a Fremont, California-based, privately held manufacturer of packaged part reliability/burn-in test solutions used by a significant number of leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) semiconductor manufacturers.
Gayn Erickson, President and CEO of Aehr Test Systems, commented, “We are very pleased to have closed this acquisition so quickly and seamlessly and to have received such positive feedback on this combination from customers, vendors, shareholders and employees from both companies. We are excited to now bring the combined strengths of both companies to market as we begin engaging with Incal’s customers, which include a significant number of AI industry leaders. This unique combination strongly positions Aehr to capitalize on the significant opportunity within the AI semiconductor market, and expands our addressable market substantially.”
Incal’s high-power capabilities, combined with Aehr’s industry-leading lineup of wafer level test and reliability solutions, uniquely positions Aehr to capitalize on this rapidly growing opportunity within the AI semiconductor market as a turn-key provider of reliability and testing that span from engineering to high volume production.
The acquisition expands Aehr’s product portfolio to include Incal’s highly acclaimed test solutions, particularly its ultra-high-power capabilities for AI accelerators, GPUs, and high-performance computing (HPC) processors. AI semiconductors are among the highest power consumption devices in the entire semiconductor industry, with power levels of recent devices reaching 1,000 watts or more, well beyond any existing devices. These previously unseen power levels require new, unique test solutions that Aehr will now provide.
The rapidly growing artificial intelligence semiconductor market is still in the early stages, and we see a significant opportunity in this market for wafer level burn-in using our new high-power FOX multi-wafer production system. In addition, given the unique challenges of testing very high-power devices related to AI processors, there is a very real need for a significant amount of engineering qualification and process development as well as a significant new opportunity for production reliability screening at the packaged part level.
Original – Aehr Test Systems
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Axcelis Technologies, Inc. announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. The Company reported second quarter revenue of $256.5 million, compared to $252.4 million for the first quarter of 2024. Gross margin for the quarter was 43.8%, compared to 46.0% in the first quarter. Operating profit for the quarter was $52.8 million, compared to $56.5 million for the first quarter. Net income for the quarter was $50.9 million, or $1.55 per diluted share, compared to $51.6 million, or $1.57 per diluted share in the first quarter.
President and CEO Russell Low commented, “Axcelis delivered strong financial results in the second quarter, exceeding our expectations. This was driven by better-than-expected conversion of evaluation units into revenue as well as continued robust demand in our Power segment – particularly silicon carbide, which continues to be a key growth driver for Axcelis. We are well positioned to execute on our long-term strategy. As we look to the second half of the year, we expect revenue to be slightly better than the first half with momentum expected to build into 2025.”
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Jamie Coogan said, “We are very pleased with our second quarter results. Revenue, operating margin and earnings per share exceeded our guidance for the period, and we delivered another quarter of healthy cash flow. Our product positioning and our disciplined cost structure provide a solid foundation on which to grow revenue and profitability as our markets recover.”
Business Outlook
For the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, Axcelis expects revenues of approximately $255 million, and earnings per diluted share of approximately $1.43.Original – Axcelis Technologies
