Series 17 – Episode 5 – GaN technology and market trends

Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology has been steadily transforming power electronics, offering higher efficiency and power density than traditional silicon solutions.

Although GaN has been used in communications for decades, its adoption in power conversion has been relatively recent, with the first commercial devices appearing around seven to eight years ago.

Since its introduction, GaN has moved from being an emerging technology to a widely accepted solution for improving power conversion efficiency. “People are no longer questioning what GaN is or whether it works – they're asking how they can use it to their advantage,” Smith said.

GaN and SiC are both wide-bandgap semiconductors, but they have distinct advantages. SiC is known for its high breakdown voltage, making it well-suited for high-power applications. However, Smith pointed out that GaN offers superior switching performance and lower conduction losses, which improve efficiency in power supplies.

“SiC’s biggest challenge is the cost of manufacturing,” he noted. “It requires high temperatures and a significant energy budget to produce. GaN, on the other hand, is much closer to silicon in terms of production requirements, making it a more cost-effective option.” This cost advantage is expected to drive GaN adoption in applications previously dominated by SiC, particularly as higher voltage GaN devices (1200V and 1700V) become more available.

Initially, GaN found a foothold in consumer electronics, particularly in fast chargers and high-speed adapters where efficiency and compact size were crucial. “Smaller size and lighter weight are huge benefits,” Smith said. “Less heat means smaller heatsinks, which allows for more compact designs.”

Beyond chargers, GaN is now making inroads into industrial and appliance markets. “Removing heatsinks in appliances isn’t just about efficiency – it reduces shock and vibration damage in power supplies,” he explained. Additionally, data centres are increasingly considering GaN due to its efficiency improvements. “For a server farm consuming megawatts of power, even a small efficiency gain translates to significant cost savings.”

Another key market is electric vehicles (EVs). GaN’s ability to handle high power density makes it well-suited for onboard chargers and other power conversion components in EVs. Additionally, GaN’s robustness in fluctuating voltage environments makes it a strong candidate for use in regions with unstable power grids.

Looking ahead, Smith expects GaN to continue expanding into higher voltage and higher power applications: “As industries demand higher efficiency, smaller size, and lower costs, GaN will continue to gain traction.”

While GaN is expected to replace silicon in many applications, SiC will likely remain relevant for extremely high-voltage applications. “Silicon still has its place at very low power, and SiC will continue to serve ultra-high-voltage needs,” Smith concluded. “But GaN will take an increasingly large share of the market.”

To hear more about GaN technology, you can listen to Electronic Specifier’s interview on Spotify or Apple podcasts.