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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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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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VisIC Technologies Ltd. has partnered with Heraeus Electronics and PINK to develop an advanced power module utilizing D3GaN technology. This groundbreaking power module is based on a silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic substrate, an innovative silver (Ag) sintering process and advanced top side interconnect, promising unprecedented reliability and performance for battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The collaboration brings together VisIC’s expertise in GaN-based devices, Heraeus Electronics’ cutting-edge packaging materials know-how, and PINK’s state-of-the-art sintering technology. The synergy of these industry leaders has culminated in the development of a power module that is setting new standards for GaN based power modules to revolutionize the EV industry.
VisIC’s D3GaN technology is at the heart of this power module, offering significant improvements in efficiency, thermal management, and power density. This technology leverages the superior electrical properties of gallium nitride to deliver faster switching speeds and higher power handling capabilities compared to traditional silicon-based devices.
The use of a Si₃N₄ metal ceramic substrate is a key innovation in this power module. Si₃N₄ is known for its excellent thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and reliability under high-temperature conditions. These properties are crucial for the demanding environment of electric vehicle applications, ensuring the power module can withstand the rigors of everyday use while maintaining optimal performance.
The adoption of the silver sintering process by PINK enhances the thermal and electrical conductivity of the module. Silver sintering is a low-temperature bonding process that creates robust and reliable connections between components, improving the module’s overall durability and efficiency. This process is critical for the high reliability required in EV powertrains, where consistent performance is non-negotiable.
The resulting power module is designed to meet the stringent reliability and performance standards of the electric vehicle industry. Its advanced materials and innovative construction techniques ensure it can deliver the high-power density of over 500Arms/650V and efficiency needed for modern BEVs, while also offering long-term reliability and durability at a cost point near silicon devices.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of power electronics for electric vehicles. The integration of VisIC’s D3GaN technology with Heraeus Electronics’ sintering paste and PINK’s Ag and Cu sintering process and flexible sintering equipment sets a new benchmark for power module performance in the EV market. This innovation is expected to drive the adoption of GaN technology in EV applications, paving the way for more efficient, reliable, and sustainable electric transportation solutions.
Tamara Baksht, CEO of VisIC, state: “We are thrilled to work with the leading manufacturer of sintering processes of Heraeus Electronics and PINK and adapt their experience into GaN based power modules to develop the next generation of power module for high volume automotive inverter applications.”
PINK, Andrea Pink, CEO of PINK statement: “We are excited to work with such a future driven company as VisIC together with our long-term partner Heraeus Electronics, supporting the newest product innovation for GaN applications.”
Heraeus Electronics Dr. Michael Jörger, EVP Head of Business Line Power Electronic Materials added: “With our materials, application know-how and engineering services we are glad to work with our partners on speeding up the innovative approach of highly efficient GaN modules for automotive applications.”
Original – VisIC Technologies
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Navitas Semiconductor released its 4.5 kW AI data center power supply reference design, with optimized GaNSafe™ and Gen-3 ‘Fast’ (G3F) SiC power components. The optimized design enables the world’s highest power density with 137 W/in3 and over 97% efficiency.
Next-generation AI GPUs like NVIDIA’s Blackwell B100 and B200 each demand over 1 kW of power for high-power computation, 3x higher than traditional CPUs. These new demands are driving power-per-rack specifications from 30-40 kW up to 100 kW.
Navitas announced its AI Power Roadmap in March 2024, showcasing next-generation data center power solutions for the growing demand in AI and high-performance computing (HPC) systems. The first design was a GaNFast-based 3.2 kW AC-DC converter in the Common Redundant Power Supply (CRPS) form factor, as defined by the hyperscale Open Compute Project. The 3.2 kW CRPS185 (for 185 mm length) enabled a 40% size reduction vs. the equivalent legacy silicon approach and easily exceeded the ‘Titanium Plus’ efficiency benchmark, critical for data center operating models and a requirement for European data center regulations.
Now, the latest 4.5 kW CRPS185 design demonstrates how new GaNSafe™ power ICs and GeneSiC Gen-3 ‘Fast’ (G3F) MOSFETs enables the world’s highest power density and efficiency solution. At the heart of the design is an interleaved CCM totem-pole PFC using SiC with full-bridge LLC topology with GaN, where the fundamental strengths of each semiconductor technology are exploited for the highest frequency, coolest operation, optimized reliability and robustness, and highest power density and efficiency. The 650 V G3F SiC MOSFETs feature ‘trench-assisted planar’ technology which delivers world-leading performance over temperature for the highest system efficiency and reliability in real-world applications.
For the LLC stage, 650 V GaNSafe power ICs are ideal and unique in the industry with integrated power, protection, control, and drive in an easy-to-use, robust, thermally-adept TOLL power package. Additionally, GaNSafe power ICs offer extremely low switching losses, with a transient-voltage capability up to 800 V, and other high-speed advantages such as low gate charge (Qg), output capacitance (COSS), and no reverse-recovery loss (Qrr). High-speed switching reduces the size, weight, and cost of passive components in a power supply, such as transformers, capacitors, and EMI filters. As power density increases, next-gen GaN and SiC enable sustainability benefits, specifically CO2 reductions due to system efficiency increases and ‘dematerialization’.
The 3.2 kW and 4.5 kW platforms have already generated significant market interest with over 30 data center customer projects in development expected to drive millions in GaN and SiC revenue, ramping from 2024 into 2025.
Navitas’ AI data center power supply reference designs dramatically accelerate customer developments, minimize time-to-market, and set new industry benchmarks in energy efficiency, power density and system cost, enabled by GaNFast power ICs and GeneSiC MOSFETs. These system platforms include complete design collateral with fully tested hardware, embedded software, schematics, bills-of-material, layout, simulation, and hardware test results.
“AI is dramatically accelerating power requirements of data centers, processors and anywhere AI is going in the decades to come creating a significant challenge for our industry. Our system design center has stepped up to this challenge delivering a 3x increase in power in less than 18 months”, said Gene Sheridan, CEO of Navitas Semiconductor. “Our latest GaNFast technology, combined with our G3F SiC technology are delivering the highest power density and efficiency the world has ever seen…the perfect solution for the Blackwell AI processors and beyond.”
Original – Navitas Semiconductor
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AIXTRON SE supports Nexperia B.V. in the ramp-up of its 200mm volume production for silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power devices. With the new G10-SiC for the 200mm SiC volume ramp, Nexperia is placing a repeat order for AIXTRON SiC tools. This is complemented by an order for AIXTRON G10-GaN tools.
Both GaN and SiC epitaxial films are essential for the design of next-generation energy-efficient Field-Effect (FET) or Metal-Oxide-Field Effect (MOSFET) transistors to be used in various power conversion applications ranging from data centers and solar inverters in electric vehicles (EV) or trains.
Nexperia has decades of experience in the development of power devices, achieving more than 2.1 billion USD in revenue in 2023. After releasing its first GaN FET device in 2019 and its first SiC MOSFET in 2023, Nexperia continues to expand its portfolio with new high-reliability and power-efficient devices.
Nexperia, headquartered in Nijmegen (Netherlands), operates front-end factories in Hamburg (Germany) and Greater Manchester (England). The AIXTRON epitaxy systems will be installed at Nexperia’s wafer fab in Hamburg (Germany), further strengthening the semiconductor production capabilities in the region. Nexperia’s Hamburg site produces approximately 100 billion discrete semiconductors annually, accounting for about a quarter of the global production of this type of products.
“We are honored to strengthen our alliance with Nexperia, a pivotal player in the semiconductor landscape. Our G10 epitaxy solutions are at the heart of this collaboration, bolstering Nexperia’s growth strategies and enabling the high-volume production of wide bandgap semiconductors for commercial applications. Together, we are setting the pace for the industry’s transition to more energy-efficient SiC and GaN solutions”, said Dr. Felix Grawert, CEO and President of AIXTRON SE.
“As we advance our technological capabilities and market presence in high-power semiconductor production, our strategic partnership with AIXTRON is transformative. Integrating the G10 systems will significantly enhance our wide bandgap technology development and production capabilities. We build on AIXTRON’s proven uniformity and leverage the additional productivity gains of AIXTRON’s G10 tools to scale up our production efficiently and cost-effectively. With the new G10 tools in our Hamburg facility, we are poised for further advancements in our production capabilities,” said Achim Kempe, COO at Nexperia B.V.
Original – AIXTRON
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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) announced that it has moved one step closer to achieving preeminence in the gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductor industry, as its intellectual property rights to this revolutionary technology were upheld for the third time in three months. The next-generation wide bandgap semiconductors developed by EPC are essential to artificial intelligence (AI), satellites, fast chargers, lidar, humanoid robots and many other transformational technologies.
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) found two of EPC’s key patents valid and one, the Company’s foundational patent, infringed by Innoscience (Zhuhai) Technology Co., Ltd. and its affiliate, Innoscience America, Inc. The ITC’s recommendation comes on the heels of two recent decisions from the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA), which similarly validated EPC’s counterpart patents in China. The ITC initial determination is a significant milestone in solidifying EPC’s leadership in wide bandgap semiconductors and could lead to a ban later this year on importation of Innoscience’s infringing products into the United States.
“The ITC’s finding that Innoscience uses our patented technology without authorization puts EPC in an enviable position, as U.S. and Chinese regulatory bodies have upheld the validity of our patents,” said Alex Lidow, CEO and Co-Founder of EPC.
“The Commission’s recommendations validate nearly two decades of hard work, resources and R&D that went into developing EPC’s uniquely valuable intellectual property portfolio,” Dr. Lidow added.
Over the last 15 years, EPC has capitalized on its first-mover advantage to develop a broad portfolio of over 200 GaN-related patents and over 150 products, which include its rapidly growing family of integrated circuits, automotive qualified and radiation hardened devices.
Compared with traditional silicon-based power devices, GaN represents a significant leap, with higher efficiency, faster switching speeds, smaller size and lower cost. GaN power devices are integral to self-driving vehicles, medical and communications devices, next-generation rapid chargers, drones, satellites, data centers, e-bikes, solar power systems and humanoid robots, among many other applications. Most notably, EPC’s cutting-edge semiconductors are central to powering the AI revolution by significantly freeing up space for extra computing power while simultaneously reducing energy consumption.
The ITC’s preliminary ruling found both U.S. patents that EPC asserted against Innoscience valid. It also found “infringement [by Innoscience] of U.S. Patent No. 8,350,294,” EPC’s foundational patent used broadly across multiple industries. The second EPC patent, U.S. Patent No. 8,404,508, was found valid, but not infringed by Innoscience. The Commission’s final determination is expected to be issued on November 5, 2024.
Original – Efficient Power Conversion
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The third edition of the second-level master’s program in “Power Electronics Devices and Technologies” organized by the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering (DIEEI) of the University of Catania together with STMicroelectronics has been announced.
The goal of the master’s program is to train specialists in technologies based on Wide Band-Gap semiconductors, the new frontier of power electronics that ensures more efficient performance in line with the sustainable development goals defined by Agenda 2030. These technologies are for use in production processes in industries such as automotive, renewable energy, and electrical energy conversion and storage.
“There is a strong market demand for highly specialized professionals trained in the field of power electronics, to meet the needs identified by macro-trends in terms of energy efficiency and the electrification of mobility in the frame of sustainable development,”said Professor Mario Cacciato, coordinator of the master’s program.
“This second-level master’s program offers to master’s graduates in different STEM disciplines opportunities to complete the training and focus it on topics of great interest for research and industry. In addition, the master’s program constitutes a synergistic model for the professional development of young talent from academia together with the industrial world, as effectively demonstrated by the first two editions of the master’s program.”
“STMicroelectronics’ site in Catania is a center of excellence in the European arena for power electronics technologies, thanks in part to the strategic investment in the vertically integrated production of Silicon Carbide devices,” said Gianfranco Di Marco, Power Transistor Sub-Group, Chief of staff and Technical Communication Manager at STMicroelectronics.
“Training specialized profiles and skills in the field of power electronics with multidisciplinary knowledge is essential for fostering technological innovation. This third edition follows the success of the previous ones with theoretical lectures held at University of Catania and internships at ST’s Catania site allowing students to experience working with a leader in power semiconductors. This will forge a close connection between the world of education and the world of work, an essential prerequisite for the sustainable development of the area, and the creation of new career opportunities for students.”
The second-level master’s program offers theoretical and practical training, divided into 7 teaching modules in English. Lectures will be taught by university professors and appropriate specialists from within STMicroelectronics, who will also act as mentors during their internship in the company’s departments and research laboratories. Some lectures, moreover, will be held at ST’s Catania site. Finally, students will participate in seminars held by experts from several major world’s corporations in the industry.
The training course is open to those with a master’s degree obtained in the last five years in:
- Electronic engineering (LM/29);
- Electrical engineering (LM/28);
- Computer and information engineering (LM/32);
- Mechanical engineering (LM/33);
- Chemical engineering (LM22);
- Automation engineering (LM25);
- Telecommunications engineering (LM/27);
- Physics (LM17);
- Materials science and engineering (LM/53);
- Chemical sciences (LM/54);
Proficiency in English is required.
A maximum of 30 participants will be admitted to this master’s degree program. The top 10 in the eligible list will be awarded a scholarship. Those ranking from 11th to 20th will receive a contribution to the tuition fee. Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2024. More information is available here.
The Scientific Committee members are the University of Catania faculty members Mario Cacciato (coordinator), Giuseppe Compagnini, Guglielmo Guido Condorelli, Salvatore Mirabella, Salvatore Pennisi and Antonio Terrasi; and Giuseppe Arena, Michele Calabretta, Gianfranco Di Marco, Vincenzo Randazzo, Mario Saggio, Rosario Scollo, Filippo Scrimizzi and Gabriele Bellocchi of STMicroelectronics.
Original – STMicroelectronics
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GlobalFoundries announced that it has acquired Tagore Technology’s proprietary and production proven Power Gallium Nitride (GaN) IP portfolio, a high-power density solution designed to push the boundaries of efficiency and performance in a wide range of power applications in automotive, internet of things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) datacenter. As the digital world continues to evolve with technologies like Generative AI, GaN stands out as a pivotal solution for sustainable and efficient power management particularly in datacenters.
Today’s announcement reinforces GF’s commitment to large-scale manufacturing of GaN technology that offers a suite of benefits to help datacenters meet the increasing power demands while maintaining or improving power efficiency, reducing costs and managing heat generation. The acquisition expands GF’s power IP portfolio and broadens access to market leading GaN IP that will enable GF customers to quickly bring differentiated products to market. As a part of the acquisition, a team of experienced engineers from Tagore, dedicated to the development of GaN technology, will be joining GF.
“We are committed to being the foundation of our customers’ power applications today and for decades to come,” said Niels Anderskouv, chief business officer at GF. “With this acquisition, GF takes another step toward accelerating the availability of GaN and empowering our customers to build the next generation of power management solutions that will reshape the future of mobility, connectivity and intelligence.”
“The accelerating demand for more power efficient semiconductors is dramatically increasing, and Tagore has been at the forefront of developing disruptive solutions using GaN technology for a wide range of power devices,” said Amitava Das, co-founder and chief operating officer of Tagore Technology. “The team and I are excited to join GlobalFoundries to increase our focus on market-leading IP that will help address power design challenges and support the continued evolution of automotive, industrial and AI datacenter power delivery systems.”
In February 2024, GF was awarded $1.5 billion in direct funding under the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, part of that investment is targeted towards enabling the high-volume manufacturing of critical technologies including GaN to securely produce more essential chips.
Combining this manufacturing capacity with the technical know-how of the Tagore team, GF is set to transform AI system efficiency, especially in edge or IoT devices, where reduced power consumption is critical.
“GlobalFoundries is at the forefront of technological advancements. With Tagore Technology joining the GF India team, we will further enhance our tech capabilities, particularly in emerging areas like GaN,” said Jitendra Chaddah, vice president and India country head at GF. “I welcome the Tagore team to GF, and I am excited about the work we will do as we continue to grow and strengthen our engineering capabilities together.”
Original – GlobalFoundries
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Semiconductor manufacturer Nexperia announced plans to invest USD 200 million (appx. 184 million Euros) to develop the next generation of wide bandgap semiconductors (WBG) such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), and to establish production infrastructure at the Hamburg site. At the same time, wafer fab capacity for silicon (Si) diodes and transistors will be increased. The investments are jointly announced with Hamburg’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Dr. Melanie Leonhard, on the occasion of the 100-year anniversary of the production site.
To meet the growing long-term demand for efficient power semiconductors, all three technologies (SiC, GaN, and Si) will be developed and produced in Germany starting in June 2024. This means Nexperia is supporting key technologies in the fields of electrification and digitalization. SiC and GaN semiconductors enable power-hungry applications, such as data centers, to operate with exceptional efficiency and are core building blocks for renewable energy applications and electromobility. These WBG technologies have great potential and are increasingly important for achieving decarbonization goals.
“This investment strengthens our position as a leading supplier of energy-efficient semiconductors and enables us to utilize available electrical energy more responsibly,” comments Achim Kempe, COO and managing director at Nexperia Germany. “In the future, our Hamburg fab will cover the complete range of WBG semiconductors while still being the largest factory for small signal diodes and transistors. We remain committed to our strategy of producing high-quality, cost-efficient semiconductors for standard applications and power-intensive applications, while addressing one of the greatest challenges of our generation: meeting the growing demand for energy and while reducing the environmental footprint.”
First production lines for high-voltage GaN D-Mode transistors and SiC diodes started in June 2024. The next milestone will be modern and cost-efficient 200 mm production lines for SiC MOSFETs and GaN HEMTs. These will be established at the Hamburg factory over the next two years. At the same time, the investment will help to further automate the existing infrastructure at the Hamburg site and expand silicon production capacity by systematically converting to 200 mm wafers. Following the expansion of the clean room areas, new R&D laboratories are being built to continue to ensure a seamless transition from research to production in the future.
In addition to advancing technology, the semiconductor supplier expects the initiative to stimulate local economic development. The investments make an important contribution to securing and creating jobs and enhancing the European Union’s semiconductor self-sufficiency. Nexperia works closely with universities and research institutes to benefit from each other’s expertise and promote highly qualified employee training. Nexperia relies on a robust research and development ecosystem in Hamburg and throughout Europe. Development partnerships and co-operations, e.g. in the field of GaN technology as part of the Industrial Affiliation Program (IIAP) of the nanoelectronics research center imec, play a crucial role. These and other collaborations ensure continuous innovation and technological excellence in Nexperia’s products.
“The planned investment enables us to bring WBG chip design and production to Hamburg. However, SiC and GaN are by no means new territory for Nexperia. GaN FETs have been part of our portfolio since 2019, and in 2023 we expanded our range of products to include SiC diodes and SiC MOSFETs, the latter in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric. Nexperia is one of the few suppliers to offer a comprehensive range of semiconductor technologies, including Si, SiC, and GaN in both e-mode and d-mode. This means, we offer our customers a one-stop shop for all their semiconductor needs”, explains Stefan Tilger, CFO and managing director at Nexperia Germany.
The investment is yet another milestone in the 100-year history of Nexperia’s production site in Hamburg-Lokstedt. Since the foundation of Valvo Radioröhrenfabrik in 1924, the site has continuously developed and today supplies around a quarter of the global demand for small signal diodes and transistors. Since its spin-off from NXP in 2017, Nexperia has invested substantial sums in the Hamburg site, increased the workforce from 950 to around 1,600 and brought the technological infrastructure up to the state-of-the-art. This continued expenditure underlines the company’s commitment to remaining at the forefront of the industry and providing innovative solutions to its customers worldwide.
Original – Nexperia
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Infineon Technologies AG introduced the new CoolGaN™ Transistor 700 V G4 product family. The devices are highly efficient for power conversion in the voltage range up to 700 V. In contrast to other GaN products on the market, the input and output figures-of-merit of these transistors provide a 20 percent better performance, resulting in increased efficiency, reduced power losses, and more cost-effective solutions. The combination of electrical characteristics and packaging ensures maximum performance in many applications such as consumer chargers and notebook adapters, data center power supplies, renewable energy inverters, and battery storage.
The product series comprises 13 devices with a voltage rating of 700 V and on-resistance range from 20 mΩ to 315 mΩ. The increased granularity in device specification, combined with a wide range of industry standard package options including PDFN, TOLL and TOLT allow R DS resistance and packages to be selected according to application requirements. As a result, both electrical and thermal system performance can be optimized and implemented in the most cost-effective solution.
The devices are characterized by a fast turn-on and turn-off speed and minimal switching losses. The on-resistance range enables power systems from 20 W to 25,000 W. In addition, the 700 V E-mode with the industry’s highest transient voltage of 850 V increases the reliability of the overall system as it offers greater robustness against anomalies in the user environment such as voltage peaks.
The CoolGaN Transistor 700 V G4 products in TOLL, PDFN 5×6 and 8×8 packages are available now, more variety in R DS(on) as well as the TOLT package will follow later this year.
Original – Infineon Technologies
