Infineon Technologies AG announced the expansion of its Gallium Nitride (GaN)-on-Silicon technology and product portfolio. The company now offers both enhancement mode and cascode configuration GaN-based platforms optimized for high performance applications requiring superior levels of energy efficiency including Switch Mode Power Supplies (SMPS) used in server, telecom, mobile power and consumer goods such as Class D Audio systems. GaN technology significantly reduces the size and weight of power supplies which will open up new opportunities in end-products such as ultra-thin LED TVs.
Infineon's expanded offering will include dedicated driver and controller ICs which enable the topologies and higher frequencies that fully leverage the benefits of GaN. The offering is further enhanced by a broader patent portfolio, GaN-on-Silicon epitaxy process and 100V-600V technologies resulting from the acquisition of International Rectifier. Additionally, through a strategic partnership with Panasonic Corporation, Infineon and Panasonic will jointly introduce devices utilizing Panasonic's normally-off (enhancement mode) GaN-on-Silicon transistor structure integrated into Infineon's Surface Mount Device (SMD) packages, providing a highly efficient, easy-to-use 600V GaN power device with the added benefit of dual sourcing.
As a result, Infineon now offers customers complete system know-how combined with the most comprehensive range of GaN technologies and products in the industry. Additionally, the company holds best-in-class manufacturing capabilities, volume capacity and second sourcing for normally-off GaN power devices in an Infineon SMD package.
GaN-on-Silicon-based technology delivers increased power density and higher energy efficiency in a smaller footprint compared to Silicon-based solutions, and is, therefore, well suited to a wide range of applications from consumer goods such as Television power supplies to Class D Audio amplifiers to SMPS used in server and telecom equipment.
Infineon and Panasonic Corporation showcased samples of a 600V 70mWW device in a DSO package at APEC 2015. Demonstrations of both enhancement mode and cascode configuration technologies will also be featured. Samples of enhancement mode and cascode devices will be available to customers under specific Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). Fully released mid-voltage cascode devices are available for complying Class D Audio customers.
