Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Announces New Family of Radiation-Hardened Enhancement-Mode Gallium Nitride (eGaN®) Transistors and Integrated Circuits for Demanding Space Applications

EPC announces the introduction of a new family of radiation-hardened gallium nitride transistors and integrated circuits. With higher breakdown strength, faster switching speed, higher thermal conductivity and lower on-resistance, power devices based on GaN significantly outperform silicon-based devices. The lower resistance and gate charge enable faster power supply switching frequencies resulting in higher power densities, higher efficiencies, and more compact and lighter weight circuitry for critical spaceborne missions. Gallium nitride is also inherently radiation tolerant, making GaN-based devices a reliable, higher performing power transistor option for space applications.

Applications benefiting from the performance and fast deployment of these products include power supplies for satellites and mission equipment, light detection and ranging (lidar) for robotics and autonomous navigation and rendezvous docking, motor drives for robotics and instrumentation, and ion thrusters for satellite orientation and positioning, as well as interplanetary propulsion of low-mass robotic vehicles.

The EPC7014, a 60 V, 340 mΩ, 4 A_Pulsed, rad-hard eGaN FET in a tiny 0.81 mm² footprint, is the first in what will be a wide-range family of rad-hard transistors and integrated circuits. The EPC7014 has a total dose rating greater than 1 Mrad and SEE immunity for LET of 85 MeV/(mg/cm²). These devices are offered in a chip-scale package, same as the commercial eGaN FET and IC family. Packaged versions will be available from EPC Space.

“EPC’s GaN technology enables a new generation of power conversion and motor drives in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies, and greater power densities than ever achievable before” said Alex Lidow, CEO, and co-founder of EPC. “We are excited about this technologies ability to provide mission-critical components the space and high-reliability markets”.

Availability

The EPC7014 is available for engineering sampling and will be fully qualified for volume shipments in October, 2021.

About EPC

EPC is the leader in enhancement mode gallium nitride (eGaN^®) based power management. eGaN FETs and integrated circuits provide performance many times greater than the best silicon power MOSFETs in applications such as DC-DC converters, remote sensing technology (lidar), motor drives for eMobility, robotics, and drones, and low cost satellites.

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eGaN is a registered trademark of Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, Inc.

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