Circuit Cellar Newsletter: Analog and Power

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EPC Exploits the Power of GaN Technology, Silicon-carbide (SiC) Power Devices are Next Generation, NexGen’s GaN-on-GaN Technology is Dispelling the Myths

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Inspiring the Evolution of Embedded Design

October 4, 2022

Analog and Power

EPC Exploits the Power of GaN Technology in a New Motor Drive Center

EPC has opened a new design application center near Turin, Italy, to focus on the growing motor drive applications based on GaN technology. These are technologies that are in the e-mobility, robotics, drone, and industrial automation industries.

The specialist team will support customers in accelerating their design cycles and define future Integrated Circuits for power management.

Silicon-carbide (SiC) Power Devices are Next Generation Low-Loss Semiconductors

ROHM Semiconductor has developed a wide-ranging portfolio of Silicon-carbide power devices, which the company says are the most viable candidate for next-generation, low-loss semiconductors. This is due mainly to the ON resistance and superior high; temperature, frequency, and voltage compared to silicon alone. Overall, SiC allows designers to use fewer components, further reducing complexity in designs.

NexGen’s GaN-on-GaN Technology is Dispelling the Myths About GaN

NexGen’s Vertical GaN is the first ever GaN-on-GaN power semiconductor technology. It is unlocking vast improvements in power conversion, achieving what many had said wouldn’t be reliable. NexGen’s GaN-on-GaN technology is dispelling the myths about GaN.

Gallium nitride (GaN) is used in chargers for semiconductors. In the 1990s it was the material that was used to make the low-heat LEDs and is used in solar arrays on satellites. Gallium nitride is a very hard, mechanically stable wide bandgap semiconductor.

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Editor's Desk by Stephen Vicinanza

What is GaN in the Reality of Technology

In the Analog and Power sector, there are many who feel the time has come for a change in the basic materials of wafers, while others want to stay close to the original designs and materials. There is a movement toward change in the Power Semiconductor Device (PSD) markets.

Today the semiconductor market is on the plus side of $200 Billion with about 10% of that revenue being generated by PSDs and smart power integrated circuits.

The latest estimates show that 50% of the electricity that is used today is controlled by power devices. The widespread use of electronics in, consumer electronics, industrial settings, medical and transportation sectors, and power devices have a major impact on the economy.

This is due to the cost and efficiency these devices determine on the systems.

There are three overall types of semiconductors in PSDs, Si, Silicon-based, SiC, Silicon-carbide-based, and the latest GaN, Gallium Nitride. The Silicon-based wafer is the largest in form factor, while the Gallium Nitride is the smallest.

There are many different opinions on whether or not to change over to GaN technology completely as some companies are already doing. But still, there seems some hesitancy in the industry on a complete restructuring of the manufacturing process. Gallium Nitride is a hard material, best known for the LEDs and violet laser diodes they can power.

Its basic makeup is a crystal structure, that has a high thermal capacity and wide bandwidth gap best for optoelectronic high-power high-frequency devices.

In motor applications, GaN is being adopted by many as the main source of stable power conduction in ICs. The high ON resistance and low latency is hard to resist in the latest motor inverters and traction control systems in EVs.

Silicon is still the go-to material that is used throughout the world, but as the electrical world needs smaller and more efficient components, to run more and more devices, housed in more compact spaces, it seems GaN technology will become more available and readily chosen for power applications.

Join us next week when we keep a Microcontroller Watch. I am always available for questions just reach out to [email protected]

Beelink SEi12 mini PC available for preorder a t $459

Beelink announced their latest mini PC which is based on a 12th Gen i5 Core processor from Intel. The SEi12 offers up to 32GB of RAM, 500GB of SSD storage, dual 4K displays and dual fans for efficient cooling.