Transphorm launches low-cost drive solution for SuperGaN FET

     The future of next-generation power systems, Transphorm, a leading global supplier of gallium nitride (GaN) power conversion products, has announced a high-performance, low-cost drive solution. Targeted at low - and medium-power applications, the design is suitable for LED lighting, charging, microinverters, UPS and power computers, strengthening the company's value proposition for customers in this $3 billion power market.

     Unlike competing e-mode GaN solutions, which require level shifting circuits with custom drivers or gate protection devices, Transphorm's SuperGaN FETs are easier to drive because they can be paired with commercially available drivers. This results in increased cost advantage for customers using Transphorm devices. The new solution announced today uses high-speed, non-isolated, high-voltage half-bridge gate drivers, further reducing the total system cost without compromising GaN FETs or system performance.

     Philip Zuk, senior vice president of Business development and marketing at Transphorm, said: "Our normal-close gallium nitride platform works with well-known, commercially available drives, making it more suitable for market applications and more popular with the market. Being able to select drives on demand is a very important advantage for customers. Customers can pick and choose drives for designs with different performance advantage weights to better control the cost of the power system. This is particularly important in price-sensitive end markets. Transphorm's Gans deliver even higher performance, and with our gallium nitride devices, customers can select the BOM based on the final result to achieve the desired performance cost-effectively."

     Transphorm also recommends a variety of other drivers with high isolation voltage ratings (control to output drive signals), short latency, fast on/off, and programmable dead time, making them ideal for higher power applications.

     Low and medium power applications such as power adapters, electric laptop chargers, LED lighting, and charging for two - and three-wheelers are very price sensitive, and the power systems in these products often do not require advanced features such as security isolation, and the use of advanced drivers can lead to unnecessary BOM costs.