X-REL semiconductor 2015 summary

Very early in 2015, the first products released this year were two families of power N-channel MOSFET with integrating driver. The first family called XTR20410, with devices capable of withstanding drain to source voltages up to 55V, is for applications where the output stage is level-shifted from the input stage. Voltage shifts can be from -30 to +40V, allowing these devices to operate as either low-side, high-side of with negative shift. The second family, XTR20810, is for low-side applications with drain to source voltage capability up to 90V. Devices in these two families target switched power supplies as well as power drive applications.

Additionally in the first quarter, X-REL Semiconductor released a driver able to operate with high-temperature MOSFETs or GaN transistors. This driver called XTR25410 is based on the technology of the XTR20410 family and allows Si or GaN transistors to be used as low- or high-side devices.

At the beginning of the second quarter, two second-generation intelligent power transistor drivers were released, targeting gate driving applications for power SiC (MOSFET, SJT, JFET), GaN (HEMT) or Si (MOSFET, IGBT), for both normally-on or normally-off devices. The XTR26020 driver allows isolated operation in applications over 1200V. The second driver, XTR25020, targets lower voltage applications, though it offers a huge versatility when compared to competing products.

Late in the second quarter, a groundbreaking 2Amp low-dropout voltage regulator was released. This regulator, XTR70020, performs as the best-in-class device for high-temperature applications in terms of dropout and quiescent current. Not only does it offer unprecedented performance and functionality, but also can be used as a drop-in replacement for existing less advanced competing regulators.

In the third and fourth quarter, X-REL Semiconductor introduced several products based on high-temperature SiC JFETs. The main discrete device is called XTR2K0x08 can be available in several packages from small footprint 8-lead SOIC-like package to a 3-lead TO257 high-reliability header. But this device is also used in a compound product called XTR23012 implementing a power high-voltage cascode transistor with integrated driver. The XTR23012 targets high-voltage power supply and drive applications, allowing a simple integration thanks to its plug-and-play input capability that can be connected to any digital output.

All of the X-REL Semiconductor products are able to reliably operate from -60°C to well above +230°C (5 years at +230°C) and functionality has been demonstrated up to 390°C. Being operational at high temperatures is mandatory in applications where the environment is at elevated temperature or where some other device makes the temperature inside the application increase. Additionally, all X-REL Semiconductor products can be used in applications running at lower temperatures (e.g. from 100°C to 200°C) where extended lifetime is expected or where failing is not an option. For example, the expected lifetime of X-REL Semiconductor parts in an application operating at Tj=150°C is over 35 years.

Parts from XTR50010 and XTR54170 families are already available and can be immediately deployed on niche as well as on large-scale markets in high-reliability compact hermetic or plastic packages, as well as bare dies.

Gonzalo Picun, CTO at X-REL Semiconductor, highlighted: ”2015 has been a great year for X-REL Semiconductor, even with the down-turn suffered by our main market, Oil&Gas. Products released were immediately adopted by our customers, who started not only to use them for new projects, but also to use them as drop-in replacements of existing less performing competing parts. The next year announces to us as an excellent one, where X-REL Semiconductor will continue to grow thanks to capability to bring innovation to the extended lifetime, high-temperature semiconductor market.”