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Cambridge GaN Devices revealed more details about a solution that will enable the company to address EV powertrain applications over 100kW – a market worth over $10B – with its ICeGaN® gallium nitride (GaN) technology. Combo ICeGaN® combines smart ICeGaN HEMT ICs and IGBTs (Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors) in the same module or IPM, maximizing efficiency and offering a cost-effective alternative to expensive silicon carbide (SiC) solutions.
Dr GIORGIA LONGOBARDI | FOUNDER AND CEO, CGD
“Today, inverters for EV powertrains either use IGBTs which are low cost but inefficient at light load conditions, or SiC devices which are very efficient but also expensive. Our new Combo ICeGaN solution will revolutionise the EV industry by intelligently combining the benefits of GaN and silicon technologies, keeping cost low and maintaining the highest levels of efficiency which, of course, means faster charging and longer range. We are already working with Tier One automotive EV manufacturers and their supply chain partners to bring this technology advancement to the market.”The proprietary Combo ICeGaN approach uses the fact that ICeGaN and IGBT devices can be operated in a parallel architecture having similar drive voltage ranges (e.g. 0-20V) and excellent gate robustness. In operation, the ICeGaN switch is very efficient, with low conduction and low switching losses at relatively low currents (light load), while the IGBT is dominant at relatively high currents (towards full load or during surge conditions).
Combo ICeGaN also benefits from the high saturation currents and the avalanche clamping capability of IGBTs and the very efficient switching of ICeGaN. At higher temperatures, the bipolar component of the IGBT will start to conduct at lower on-state voltages, supplementing the loss of current in the ICeGaN. Conversely, at lower temperatures, ICeGaN will take more current. Sensing and protection functions are intelligently managed to optimally drive the Combo ICeGaN and enhance the Safe Operating Area (SOA) of both ICeGaN and IGBT devices.
ICeGaN technology allows EV engineers to enjoy GaN’s benefits in DC-to-DC converters, on-board chargers and potentially traction inverters. Combo ICeGaN further extends the benefits of CGD’s GaN technology into the rich 100kW+ traction inverter market. ICeGaN ICs have been proven to be very robust and IGBTs have a long and proven track record in traction and EV applications. Similar, proprietary parallel combinations of ICeGaN devices with SiC MOSFETs have also been proven by CGD, but Combo ICeGaN – which is now detailed in a published IEDM paper – is a far more economical solution. CGD expects to have working demos of Combo ICeGaN at the end of this year.
Prof. FLORIN UDREA | FOUNDER AND CTO, CGD
“Having worked for three decades in the field of power devices, this is the first time I have encountered such a beautifully complementary technology pairing. ICeGaN is extremely fast and a star performer at light load conditions while the IGBT brings great benefits during full load, surge conditions and at high temperatures. ICeGaN provides on-chip intelligence while the IGBT provides avalanche capability. They both embrace silicon substrates which come with cost, infrastructure and manufacturability advantages.”CGD will be exhibiting at APEC (Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition). For more details about Combo ICeGaN, visit Booth 2039 at the Georgia World Congress Center | Atlanta, GA | March 16-20, 2025.
Original – Cambridge GaN Devices
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ALLOS Semiconductors and Canadian specialty semiconductor and performance materials supplier 5N Plus Inc. have announced the acquisition of the GaN IP portfolio from 5N Plus’ subsidiary AZUR Space Solar Power.
This strategic acquisition includes the buy-back of the GaN-on-Si technology for high power electronics (HPE) applications, which was originally sold to AZUR in 2020, along with several jointly completed innovations and resulting patent applications. With this acquisition, the global IP portfolio has expanded to over 50 granted patents, with more to come, most of them essential for both GaN-on-Si for optoelectronics and HPE applications. The transaction also includes the return of all recipes and other know-how.
This acquisition strengthens ALLOS’ position in the rapidly evolving areas of micro-LED displays and optical interconnect. ALLOS’ GaN-on-Si epiwafers are crucial for the customers to utilize standard silicon fabs for micro-LED manufacturing.
Additionally, this acquisition provides ALLOS’ with the option to re-enter the GaN-on-Si high power electronics (HPE) market. Power GaN has become a global mass market success and is projected to grow to over two billion USD by 2029. The unique features of ALLOS’ 200 mm and 300 mm technology can significantly benefit in scaling up production while reducing unit costs. In addition to standard silicon fab compatibility, these features include highest crystal quality, best wafer uniformity, and award-winning breakdown voltages for undoped GaN. While ALLOS remains focused on micro-LEDs, the company is now open to collaborations with HPE players.
Original – ALLOS Semiconductors
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Cambridge GaN Devices will demonstrate at APEC that the company’s ICeGaN® GaN ICs can now satisfy a broad range of applications with higher power requirements, such as servers, data centres, inverters, industrial power supplies and, very soon, automotive EVs over100 kW. The company’s new P2 series ICs feature RDS(on) levels down to 25 mΩ, supporting multi kW power levels with the highest efficiency, and a secure supply chain is in place including manufacturing deals with TSMC and ASE, and distribution through Digi-Key.
HENRYK DABROWSKI | SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL SALES, CGD
“GaN is now widely accepted as the technology of choice for mobile device chargers and is now set to supersede traditional silicon MOSFETs in higher power applications. The industry is also beginning to realize that GaN may replace SiC in certain high efficiency designs, due to its lower manufacturing cost. At APEC – one of the world’s most important events for the power industry – we are eagerly looking forward to having in-depth discussions with designers of high efficiency power systems and demonstrating the ruggedness, reliability and ease of use of our ICeGaN® GaN IC technology.”
During APEC, CGD will give the following Industry Session and Exhibitor Presentations:
Unlocking the Potential of Multi-level Inverters with Integrated ICeGaN technologies (Session: IS14.7)
As the electric vehicle market develops, there is a continuous drive to look at new and novel approaches to further improve the efficiency of the traction inverter and other electrical subsystems.Multi-level inverters enable the use of much high switching frequencies and break down the total voltage into smaller steps, which in turn allows for improved efficiency and downsizing of other parts of the system. GaN technology optimizes the benefits of multi-level topologies. CGD’s ICeGaN technology brings a higher level of integration, lower cost, best in class robustness and ease of use.
Presenter: Daniel Murphy, Director of Technical Marketing, CGD Date: Wednesday March 19, 2025 Time: 4:30 PM – 4:55 PM ET Location: Level Four, A411
ICeGaN Leads the Industry in GaN Integration
This presentation will demonstrate how ICeGaN technology leads in simplification, cost reduction, robustness, carbon footprint and efficiency of GaN power applications.Presenter: Peter Di Maso, Vice President, Business Development, CGD Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 Time: 12:45 PM – 1:15 PM ET Location: A301
On booth 2039, CGD will present demos that highlight the benefits of employing its ICeGaN technology in three application spaces: Motor Drives
- ICeGaN vs discrete GaN circuits comparison in half-bridge (daughter cards) demo board
- High and low power QORVO motor drive evaluation kits utilising ICeGaN and developed in collaboration with CGD
- Half-bridge built using CGD’s ICeGaN ICs in the BHDFN (Bottom Heat-spreader DFN) bottom-side cooled package with wettable flanks for easy inspection
Data Centres
- 3 kW totem-pole PFC evaluation board
- Half-bridge built using CGD’s BHDFN-packaged ICeGaN ICs
- Full-bridge demo showing CGD’s ICeGaN ICs in the DHDFN (Dual Heat-spreader DFN) package which has low thermal resistance (Rth(JC)), and can be operated with bottom-side, top-side and dual-side cooling. This package offers flexibility in design and out-performs the often-used TOLT package in top-side and, especially, dual-side cooled configurations.
- 2.5kW GaN-based CCM totem-pole PFC reference design targetting LED drivers, industrial brick DC/DC and general PSUs with power range of 500W to 1.5kW.
Scalable Power
- New single IC ICeGaN technology platform that delivers over 100kW, enabling CGD to address the $10B+ EV market, currently dominated by SiC, with cost-effective GaN solutions
- Single leg of a 3-phase 800 V automotive inverter demo board, developed in partnership with French public R&I institute, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN)
- Parallel evaluation board demoing ICeGaN’s higher power capabilities
- Full-bridge demo showing CGD’s ICeGaN ICs in the DHDFN package
GIORGIA LONGOBARDI | FOUNDER AND CEO, CGD
“This is an exciting time for our industry as it embraces the disruptive GaN technology. Although this change from silicon has indisputably shown the power density and efficiency benefits of GaN, only CGD is presenting this new technology in an easy-to-use solution, which has been proven to be the most rugged in the industry. With our technology roadmap which details how ICeGaN will be able to address even EV applications over 100kW, we are sure designers will be inspired by the possibilities that ICeGaN has opened up.”
Original – Cambridge GaN Devices
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ROHM has announced that the EcoGaN™ series of 650V GaN HEMTs in the TOLL package has been adopted for AI server power supplies by Murata Power Solutions, a subsidiary of the Murata Manufacturing Group and a leading supplier of electronic components, batteries and power supplies in Japan. Integrating ROHM’s GaN HEMTs, which combine low loss operation with high-speed switching performance, in Murata Power Solutions’ 5.5kW AI server power supply unit achieves greater efficiency and miniaturization. Mass production of this power supply unit is set to begin in 2025.
Rapid advancements in IoT-related fields such as AI and AR (Augmented Reality) have led to a surge in global data traffic in recent years. Notably, the power consumption for a single AI-generated response is estimated to be several times higher than that of a standard Internet search, highlighting the need for more efficient AI power supplies. Meanwhile, GaN devices, known for low ON resistance and high-speed switching performance, are gaining attention for their ability to enhance power supply efficiency while reducing the size of peripheral components such as inductors used in power circuits.
Dr. Joe Liu, Technical Fellow, Murata Power Solutions
“We are pleased to have successfully designed AI server power supply units featuring higher efficiency and power density by incorporating ROHM’s GaN HEMTs. The high-speed switching capability, low parasitic capacitance, and zero reverse recovery characteristics of GaN HEMTs help minimize switching losses. This allows for higher operating frequencies in switching converters, reducing the size of magnetic components. ROHM’s GaN HEMTs deliver competitive performance and exceptional reliability, yielding excellent results in the development of Murata Power Solutions’ 5.5kW AI server power supply units. Going forward, we will continue our collaboration with ROHM, a leader in power semiconductors, to improve the efficiency of power supplies and address the social issue of increasing power demand.”
Yuhei Yamaguchi, General Manager, Power Stage Product Development Div., LSI Business Unit, ROHM Co., Ltd.
“We are delighted that ROHM’s EcoGaN™ products have been integrated into AI server power supply units from Murata Power Solutions, a global leader in power supplies. The GaN HEMTs used in this application provide industry-leading switching performance in a high heat dissipation TOLL package, enhancing power density and efficiency in Murata Power Solutions’ power supply units. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Murata Manufacturing, a company that shares the similar vision of contributing to society through electronics – promoting the miniaturization and efficiency of power supplies to enrich people’s lives.”
Original – ROHM
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Leapers Semiconductor has officially commenced construction of its automotive-grade third-generation power semiconductor module project in Jiangdu District’s development zone. The launch event was part of Jiangdu District’s Major Project Construction Mobilization Conference, where local officials outlined key economic initiatives for the region. District Party Secretary Zhu Lili delivered a speech at the ceremony, emphasizing the urgency of driving economic growth from the start of the year. District Mayor Shen Bohong presided over the event, with key government representatives also in attendance.
During the event, township leaders provided updates on the district’s 2025 major construction projects, reaffirming their commitment to economic development. The first quarter alone saw the initiation of 29 major projects, with a total investment of 8.72 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), spanning sectors such as new materials, renewable energy, high-end equipment, and environmental protection.
Leapers Semiconductor SiC module project, which began construction on March 1, represents a 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) investment, covering an area of 32 acres. Once completed, the facility is expected to achieve an annual production capacity of 3 million automotive-grade SiC modules, generate 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) in annual revenue, and contribute 500 million yuan ($70 million) in annual tax revenue.
With this new SiC module packaging and testing facility, Leapers Semiconductor is set to enhance production capabilities, accelerate innovation, and drive the adoption of SiC power solutions worldwide.
Original – Leapers Semiconductor
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LATEST NEWS / PRODUCT & TECHNOLOGY / PROJECTS / SiC / TOP STORIES / WBGFebruary 27, 2025
4 Min ReadSilicon carbide (SiC) provides considerable technical advantages for power electronics – however, the costs are still a drawback. In the »ThinSiCPower« research project, a consortium of Fraunhofer Institutes is developing key technologies to reduce material losses and device thickness while increasing the thermomechanical stability of the assembled SiC chips. The savings achieved are expected to help further accelerate the market development of efficient SiC power electronics.
Power electronics based on the wide-bandgap semiconductor silicon carbide (SiC) are a key enabler for energy-efficient, sustainable and high-performance applications in electromobility – from cars and commercial vehicles to trains, ships and airplanes, in the generation, transportation and storage of renewable energies, as well as for IT and industrial infrastructures. It is therefore an important and competitively relevant factor for the current global transformation processes in the areas of mobility, energy and digitalization. The market for SiC power devices is expected to grow at an annual rate of over 30 percent. Compared to conventional silicon technology, the use of SiC power electronics in a standard drive converter saves more energy than is required to manufacture the SiC power electronics themselves.
While the technological advantages of SiC are obvious due to its physical properties, the higher costs compared to the established silicon are still an obstacle to faster market penetration. Chip costs are more than three times higher than for silicon. The initially required SiC wafer is the biggest cost driver here. In the case of a SiC-based metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), this accounts for more than 40 percent of the manufacturing costs. In addition, due to the unfavorable mechanical material properties and large thickness of the monocrystalline SiC wafer, electronics processed from it only achieve approx. 30 percent of the thermomechanical service life compared to silicon. This disadvantage leads to an approx. 25 percent larger chip area and, in the case of an inverter for example, to around 25 percent higher costs in the application.
In the three-year ThinSiCPower project (2024-2027), funded by the Fraunhofer PREPARE program, researchers are developing an alternative way to produce cost-effective SiC substrates and significantly thinner SiC chips using more resource-efficient processing technologies. Rather than first sawing the expensive, high-quality SiC wafers with the usual material loss and later back-grinding them in device processing, the SiC crystal is separated directly into thinner wafers using a special laser process without any major loss of material, which are then bonded onto an inexpensive carrier substrate based on polycrystalline SiC.
Fraunhofer ISE, ENAS and IWM with the Fraunhofer IISB as project coordinator are pooling their individual competencies in ThinSiCPower. A SiC coating technology developed by Fraunhofer IISB is being adapted for the manufacturing of the poly-SiC carrier substrates, which is more cost- and resource-efficient than the conventional manufacturing method using chemical vapor deposition. The low-loss separation of the thin SiC wafers is carried out using a laser for defined mechanical pre-damage (Fraunhofer ISE) and subsequent separation under well-defined mechanical conditions for controlled crack propagation (Fraunhofer IWM).
The wafer bonding process for the poly-SiC substrate with the split SiC, including the necessary surface preparation before and after the bonding process, will be developed at Fraunhofer ENAS, while the subsequent device processing and qualification will take place at Fraunhofer IISB. The partners are also developing adapted electrical test methods at thin wafer level as well as physics-of-failure simulation models to maximize the market acceptance of this new class of low-cost SiC substrates. With this, a broad applicability in the relevant industries could be achieved.
The aim is to reduce SiC device costs by 25 percent by developing technology for the production of costeffective thin SiC wafers and poly-SiC substrates. In addition, SiC design costs are to be reduced by further 25 percent by increasing the load cycle stability by 300 percent. The target markets are semiconductor and power module manufacturers as well as their process and equipment suppliers through to test equipment suppliers. With this project, the participating partner institutes are also combining their expertise to set up a complete, highly innovative and future-oriented SiC processing line within the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD). The consortium is receiving consultancy support directly from partners in industry.
The ThinSiCPower project not only accelerates the market penetration of silicon carbide through the targeted cost reduction and conceptual advantages, but also serves to secure an innovative, resilient and industry relevant SiC technology value chain in Germany and Europe.
Original – Fraunhofer IISB
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ROHM has developed 650V GaN HEMTs in the TOLL (TO-LeadLess) package: the GNP2070TD-Z. Featuring a compact design with excellent heat dissipation, high current capacity, and superior switching performance, the TOLL package is increasingly being adopted in applications that require high power handling, particularly inside industrial equipment and automotive systems. For this launch, package manufacturing has been outsourced to ATX SEMICONDUCTOR (WEIHAI) CO., LTD., an experienced OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) provider.
Improving the efficiency of motors and power supplies, which account for most of the world’s electricity consumption, has become a significant challenge to achieving a decarbonized society. As power devices are key to improve efficiency, the adoption of new materials such as SiC (Silicon Carbide) and GaN is expected to further enhance the efficiency of power supplies.
ROHM began mass production of its 1st generation of its 650V GaN HEMTs in April 2023, followed by the release of power stage ICs that combine a gate driver and 650V GaN HEMT in a single package. This time, ROHM has developed the product incorporating 2nd generation elements in a TOLL package, and added it to existing DFN8080 package to strengthen ROHM’s 650V GaN HEMT package lineup – meeting the market demand for even smaller and more efficient high-power applications.
The new products integrate 2nd generation GaN-on-Si chips in a TOLL package, achieving industry-leading values in the device metric that correlates ON-resistance and output charge (RDS(ON) × Qoss). This contributes to further miniaturization and energy efficiency in power systems that require high voltage resistance and high-speed switching.
To achieve mass production, ROHM leveraged proprietary technology and expertise in device design, cultivated through a vertically integrated production system, to carry out design and planning. Under the collaboration announced on December 10, 2024, front-end processes are carried out by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC). Back-end processes are handled by ATX. On top, ROHM plans to partner with ATX to produce automotive-grade GaN devices.
In response to the increasing adoption of GaN devices in the automotive sector, which is expected to accelerate in 2026, ROHM plans to ensure the rapid introduction of automotive-grade GaN devices by strengthening these partnerships in addition to advancing its own development efforts.
Liao Hongchang, Director and General Manager, ATX SEMICONDUCTOR （WEIHAI） CO., LTD.
“We are extremely pleased to have been entrusted with production by ROHM, a company renowned for its advanced manufacturing technologies and in-house production facilities that cover everything from wafer fabrication to packaging. We began technical exchanges with ROHM in 2017 and are currently exploring possibilities for deeper collaboration. This partnership was made possible due to ATX’s track record and technical expertise in the back-end manufacturing of GaN devices. Looking ahead, we also plan to collaborate on ROHM’s ongoing development of automotive-grade GaN devices. By strengthening our partnership, we aim to contribute to energy conservation across various industries and the realization of a sustainable society.”Satoshi Fujitani, General Manager, AP Production Headquarters, ROHM Co., Ltd.
“We are delighted to have successfully produced 650V GaN HEMTs in the TOLL package, achieving sufficient performance. ROHM not only offers standalone GaN devices but also provides power solutions that combine them with ICs, leveraging ROHM’s expertise in analog technology. The knowledge and philosophy cultivated in the design of these products are also applied to device development. Collaborating with OSATs such as ATX, that possess advanced technical capabilities, allows us to stay ahead in the rapidly growing GaN market while utilizing ROHM’s strengths to bring innovative devices to market. Going forward, we will continue to enhance the performance of GaN devices to promote greater miniaturization and efficiency in a variety of applications, contributing to enrich people’s lives.”Original – ROHM
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SemiQ Inc will give the first official unveiling of the company’s new 1700 V and 1200 V Gen 3 SiC MOSFETs at the 2025 Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC).
APEC takes place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from March 16, with SemiQ’s booth located at stand #1348.
SemiQ’s 1200 V Gen3 SiC was announced in February, delivering an improved performance with a smaller die size and at a lower cost. The series includes automotive qualified (AEC-Q101) options and Known Good Die (KGD) testing has been implemented across the series with verification at voltages exceeding 1400 V, plus avalanche testing to 800 mJ. Reliability is further improved through 100% gate-oxide burn-in screening and UIL testing of discrete packaged devices.
The company’s new 1700 V MOSFET family of MOSFETS and modules with AEC-Q101 certification is designed to meet the needs of medium-voltage high power conversion applications, from photovoltaic, wind inverters and energy storage to EV and roadside charging as well as uninterruptable power supplies, and induction heating/welding. These switching planar D-MOSFETs enable more compact system designs with higher power densities and have been tested to KGD beyond 1900 V, with UIL avalanche testing to 600 mJ.
Dr. Timothy Han, President at SemiQ said: “There is so much innovation happening in power electronics right now and we’re delighted to have launched our next generation technologies in time to have them on display at APEC. The show brings together many of the leading minds within the industry and we’re looking forward to discussing the challenges faced and how we can help them.”
Original – SemiQ
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EPC is set to highlight cutting-edge advancements in AI, robotics, and other high-density power conversion applications at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC) 2025. During the event, held from March 16 to March 20 in Atlanta, GA, EPC will focus on demonstrating how GaN is revolutionizing AI infrastructure, humanoid robotics, industrial and consumer applications in booth 1231.
AI = GaN: Enabling the Next Generation of AI Servers
Artificial intelligence requires ultra-efficient power conversion to sustain increasing computing densities. EPC’s latest GaN solutions for AC/DC server power and 48 V DC-DC GPU power reduce losses, increase power density, improve thermal management, and offer superior efficiency.
Motor Drives: Powering Robotics, Automation, and More
From industrial automation to consumer electronics, GaN-based motor drives offer higher efficiency, smaller size, and improved performance over traditional silicon-based solutions. EPC will showcase live demonstrations of GaN-powered drives in applications such as:
- Power tools – Enhanced battery life and performance with GaN motor drives
- Humanoids & quadrupeds – Next-generation robotics with faster response times and increased power efficiency
- Vacuum cleaners & delivery bots – Smarter, more autonomous systems benefiting from GaN’s high-speed switching and power density
Visit EPC at APEC 2025
- Schedule a Meeting: EPC’s technical experts, including CEO Dr. Alex Lidow, will be on-site to discuss how GaN is driving innovation across multiple industries. To schedule a meeting during APEC 2025 contact info@epc-co.com
- Exhibition Booth # 1231: Visit EPC’s booth to explore our comprehensive portfolio of GaN-based solutions. See firsthand the superior performance in live demonstrations
- Technical Presentations: Attend our technical sessions to gain insights into the latest trends and advancements in GaN power conversion technology
- Enhance Traction Motor Efficiency using a GaN based Four-Level Flying Capacitors Inverter
Industry Session (IS03.3): March 18 at 9:20 a.m.
Speaker: Marco Palma - Debate Session 1: SiC vs GaN – Which will lead in power conversion?
March 18 at 4:30 p.m.
Panelist: Alex Lidow, Ph.D. - High performance 5 kW, 4-Level totem-pole PFC converter using 200 V GaN FETs for open compute servers
Industry Session (IS12.2): March 19 at 8:55 a.m.
Speaker: Michael de Rooij, Ph.D. - Powerstage GaN Integrated Circuits Operation in Robotic Applications
Industry Session (IS14.4): March 19 at 2:45 p.m.
Speaker: Marco Palma
- Enhance Traction Motor Efficiency using a GaN based Four-Level Flying Capacitors Inverter
At APEC 2025, we are excited to showcase how EPC’s GaN solutions are setting new benchmarks in power conversion and efficiency,
said Nick Cataldo, VP of Sales and Marketing at EPC.Original – Efficient Power Conversion
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Manufacturers of cutting-edge audio equipment constantly seek to enhance sound quality while also meeting the growing demand for compact, lightweight, more integrated, and energy-efficient designs. At the same time, they must ensure seamless connectivity, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly functionality, making audio product development more complex than ever.
To overcome these challenges, SounDigital has integrated CoolGaN™ transistors from Infineon Technologies AG into its new 1500 W Class D amplifier, featuring an 800 kHz switching frequency and five channels. Infineon’s advanced GaN technology has improved the energy efficiency of the amplifier by five percent and reduced energy loss by 60 percent.
“We are excited to enhance the performance of our audio amplifiers using Infineon’s GaN power semiconductors, enabling us to inspire people and provide entertainment by amplifying music around the world,” said Juliano Anflor, CEO of SounDigital. “GaN transistors significantly enhances our overall system performance with minimized system cost and increased ease of use.”
“GaN technology is transforming the audio amplifier industry, providing unparalleled efficiency and performance,” said Johannes Schoiswohl, Head of the GaN Business Line at Infineon. “Infineon’s leading GaN solutions deliver superior sound quality, higher power density, and reduced energy consumption, enabling SounDigital’s audio systems to reach new levels of fidelity and performance.”
For its 1500 W Class D amplifier, SounDigital selected Infineon’s 100 V normally-off E-mode transistors: IGC033S101 in a PQFN-3×5 package and IGB110S101 in a PQFN-3×3 package. With their low on-resistance, the transistors are ideal for demanding high-current applications, enabling significant improvements in both sound quality and efficiency of SounDigital’s amplifier.
The GaN-based amplifier also delivers high performance while reducing power dissipation by 75 W, allowing for a 50 percent smaller heat sink. Additionally, the overall system size has been reduced by 40 percent without compromising performance. The audio quality has been further improved by the CoolGaN transistors, with total harmonic distortion (THD) reduced by 70 percent, enabling a more precise and detailed sound experience. At the same time, the idle current has been reduced by 40 percent, significantly improving energy efficiency.
Original – Infineon Technologies
