USB Power Delivery technologies are seeing a strong focus at Computex 2024 in Taiwan. Another technology currently receiving strong attention from the industry are GaN transistors and ICs. According to market analyst firm Yole Group the GaN market is expected to growth exponentially in applications such as power supplies, automotive DC/DC converters and on-board chargers. However, the first mass commercialized product in the market to adopt GaN devices has been USB-PD adaptors.
Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD) is the company behind ICeGaN technology, which is proven suitable for high volume production. A fabless enterprise, CGD was spun out from Cambridge University, and its founders, CEO Dr Giorgia Longobardi and CTO Professor Florin Udrea, still retain strong links with the world-renowned High Voltage Microelectronics and Sensors group (HVMS) at the University. CGD is already seeing adoption of its GaN transistors in powerful and efficient audio amplifiers. The AGD Duet monoblock amplifier (300W 4Ω) is one of the first examples using GaN for both the output power stage and the power supply. CGD is now scaling up manufacturing and distribution through customer partnerships, such as with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) of Taiwan.
Specifically, the agreement with the ITRI covers the development of power solutions in the 140-240W range with power densities exceeding 30 W/in3 for e-mobility, power tools, notebook and cell phone applications. CGD's ICeGaN HEMT technology is protected by a strong IP portfolio. The CGD team's expertise combined with an extensive track record in the power electronics market has been fundamental to the market acceptance of its proprietary technology.
"We are excited to partner with ITRI, an organization with a power solution research team that is very experienced in developing power solutions and holds many patents. We will be demonstrating some of their board designs at our booth at the upcoming PCIM show in Nuremberg in June. These products utilize CGD's unique IC chip architecture and ITRI's patented designs to achieve product size reduction, high efficiency and power density, and cost competitiveness."
"CGD's IC-enhanced GaN – ICeGaN – is a novel platform that improves ease-of-use, facilitates smart temperature control and enhances gate reliability. We are excited to include these benefits in our new power designs," adds Wen-Tien Tsai, Leader of Commercial Power Design Team, GEL/ITRI.
Founded in 1973, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a world-leading applied technology research institute that pioneered IC development, currently with more than 6,000 employees. Green Energy & Environment Research Laboratories (GEL), is one of ITRI's largest core laboratories dedicated to enhancing sustainable environmental technologies in the fields of energy efficiency, power systems, low-carbon environment, and environmental and energy policy.
www.itri.org.tw
www.camgandevices.com
