News: Microelectronics
1 October 2021
GaN Systems’ 100V E-mode transistors used by EPowerlabs
GaN Systems Inc of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (a fabless developer of gallium nitride-based power switching semiconductors for power conversion and control applications) and EPowerlabs of San Sebastián, Spain (an end-to-end engineering services firm helping OEMs and tier-1 firms to develop, test, validate and integrate power electronics in e-mobility applications) are collaborating to deliver a high-density DC/DC power converter (DDC48-1K) for a wide range of 48V mobility applications for consumer, industrial and automotive customers.
Using GaN solves space constraint challenges typical in electric mobility systems by providing more power in smaller form factors. The GaN converter is one-third smaller and 50% lighter than standard converters and has an overall efficiency of above 95%, it is reckoned.
“Creating a more sustainable world through e-mobility is at the heart of our mission, and leveraging technologies like GaN are vital in accelerating this move,” says EPowerlabs’ CEO Mikel Parel, “This is demonstrated by our GaN Systems-based converter, which reduces power losses by more than 50% compared to silicon-based designs in the market and is one-third the size of legacy converters.”
With an input voltage range of 24-60VDC and rated at up to 1kW continuous power with an overall efficiency above 95%, the converter is said to offer a reliable and efficient solution for electric mopeds and scooters, electric vehicle (EV) systems and vehicles, and numerous transportation and robotics applications. Highlights are as follows:
- High efficiency of 97.5% at full load (a 4% improvement from similar types of converters currently available in the market);
- High power density of 28W/in3 (compared with 10W/in3 in converters using other topologies and switches);
- Lighter weight - the design without the case weighs only 345g, whereas an air-cooled DC/DC of the same power weighs around 750g.
EPowerlabs’ GaN-based DC/DC converter uses GaN Systems 100V E-mode transistors (GS61008P), which leverage high-performance GaNPX embedded packaging and the high current, voltage breakdown and switching frequency of GaN. This combination allows high-power, low-loss performance, and thermal efficiencies in smaller, lighter power systems.
“It’s wonderful to see customers like EPowerlabs using our GaN transistors to make vast power system improvements within the e-mobility space. These changes all play a part towards the goal of using less energy and creating a more sustainable future,” says GaN Systems’ CEO Jim Witham.
