Space exploration has always demanded cutting-edge technology, reliability, and resilience. The latest breakthrough in power electronics, gallium nitride (GaN) technology, has emerged as a game-changer for space-based systems offering superior radiation tolerance and unmatched electrical performance compared to traditional silicon MOSFETs. In this article, we delve into the reasons why GaN power devices are the ultimate choice for power conversion applications in space and how their resistance to radiation makes them an extremely robust solution for space missions.

Components in Electronics
October 2023
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The space industry is undergoing a transformative shift to “New Space,” driven by the increasing demand for ubiquitous connectivity and the emergence of innovative business models. One of the key elements of this transformation is the adoption of gallium nitride (GaN) technology in space applications. GaN holds immense potential due to its impressive radiation hardness, high system efficiency and lightweight characteristics.

In a discussion with EE Times Europe, Taha Ayari and Aymen Ghorbel, technology and market analysts at Yole Intelligence, part of Yole Group, explained how New Space—the low Earth orbit (LEO) mission segment, with a typical satellite lifespan of three to five years and lower reliability requirements—has become a focal point for GaN adoption. As a result, power GaN devices are being adopted for various satellite systems, including DC/DC converters, point-of-load systems, motor drives and ion thrusters.

EE Times Europe
October 2023
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Bringing GaN to the final frontier, EPC Space introduced two new radiation-hardened GaN transistors for high-current switching in space-based applications. As the number of commercial satellites continues to increase, designers require more options for space-ready power electronics with improved current handling.

All About Circuits
September, 2023
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As more processing power and more complex loads are placed on-orbit or into deep space missions, it is sometime necessary to parallel two or more power switches. However, conventional power device packages, such as the FSMD-A/B/C/D and their I/O pad provisioning make it difficult to accomplish paralleling these devices in a performance-conscious manner. When paralleled, the gate and source-sense pads on these packages either serve to block the most efficient/shortest interconnect from package-to-package for the drain and source connections or for the gate and source-sense pads. So in parallel configurations, there is always a compromise between optimized drain-source load-circuit performance and gate-source-sense drive-loop performance. This article introduces the FSMD-G discrete HEMT package and explains how the reconfiguration of its I/O pads overcomes these limitations when paralleling GaN HEMTs.

How2Power
September, 2023
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EPC Space has introduced radiation-hardened gallium nitride devices for space-borne power converters and other rugged environments.

Electronics Weekly
August, 2023
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GaN devices offer a plethora of benefits that align well with the demands of the space industry, addressing challenges related to reliability, radiation survivability, and space heritage.

Power Electronics News
August, 2023
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In this article, Renesas Electronics explains how using a discreet GaN based power supply in the ISLVERSALDEMO2Z reference design for the core offers several advantages for power management in space avionics systems.

Power Electronics News
July, 2023
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In this episode of Spirit: Behind the Screen, Spirit Electronics CEO Marti McCurdy chats with EPC’s CEO Alex Lidow and Marketing Director Renee Yawger about the progress of GaN. They discuss GaN’s performance under high radiation as well as the extensive testing, failure modes and device lifespan detailed in EPC’s Phase 15 reliability report. With the full potential of GaN still to be explored and new EPC products releasing frequently, including new half-bridge drivers, low-side drivers and full power stage, GaN is especially useful in New Space and commercial space applications.

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本文介绍了基于氮化镓器件、具有120 VDC输入电压、工作频率为 6.7 MHz 的两相 DC/DC转换器。 120 VDC 是国际太空站 (ISS) 二次电路系统中的标准电压水平。

使用具备高功率密度和开关超快等优势的GaN FET ，Tell-I 公司新开发的 SDK 电路板使用两相来超越正常的开关速度。 多相配置支持用于 ISS 等系统的标准120-V 总线电压，让交错转换器在 3 MHz、5 MHz 和 6.87 MHz 下实现高效开关。使用四个 EPC2019 GaN FET和支持小型栅极驱动及功率环路的两个 LMG1210 栅极驱动器，可实现最佳和紧凑的布局。

Power Electronics News
2022年4月
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As the outer reaches of the Earth’s atmosphere and space are opened to commercial development, motors will become increasingly important to systems places there for various functions. With the inevitability of manufacturing in space, motors – including their drivers – will take on even more functions. Of equal importance will be the motor drivers selected to drive those motors efficiently and reliably.

Components in Electronics
October, 2021
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Gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors allow for innovation in the harsh radiation environments of space applications.

Electronics Weekly
September, 2021
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航空航天应用的技术发展是 2021 年的重要组成部分，因此更多的抗辐射元件即将问世。 最近新推两款新型场效应晶体管，它们给航太领域带来了什么？

All About Circuits
2021 年 6 月
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Gallium nitride power device technology enables a new generation of power converters in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies, and greater power densities than everachievable before. GaN power devices can also exhibit superior radiation tolerance compared with Silicon MOSFETs depending upon their device design.

Power Electronics Europe
December, 2020
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硅功率MOSFET未能跟上电力电子行业的发展变化，而效率、功率密度和更小的外形尺寸等因素是行业的主要需求。 硅MOSFET器件的性能已达到其理论极限，并且由于电路板的空间非常宝贵，因此功率系统设计人员必需找出替代方案。 氮化镓（GaN）器件是一种高电子迁移率晶体管（HEMT），这种半导体正为新兴应用不断增值。

EETimes
2020年8月
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氮化镓功率晶体管是面向严苛航太任务的功率和射频应用的理想器件。 通过全新基于eGaN^®器件的解决方案，EPC Space公司提供专门为商业卫星关键应用而设计的氮化镓器件，可确保器件的耐辐射性能和对单粒子效应的免疫能力。 这些器件具有极高的电子迁移率、低温度系数和非常低的导通阻抗。

EETimes
2020年7月
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增强型氮化镓（eGaN^®）技术使能新一代功率转换器，让转换器能够在更高的频率、更高的效率和前所未有的高功率密度下工作。 与硅MOSFET器件相比，eGaN器件还具有更优越的耐辐射性能。

Bodo’s Power Systems
2020年7月
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This article discussed an oft forgotten or little-noticed part of the spacecraft enabling travel into outer space---power management in the space vehicle. Wide bandgap semiconductors like gallium nitride (GaN), silicon carbide (SiC), as well as diamond, are looking to be the most promising materials for future electronic components since the discovery of silicon. These technologies, depending upon their design, offer huge advantages in terms of power capability (DC and microwave), radiation insensitivity, high temperature and high frequency operation, optical properties and even low noise capability. Therefore, wide bandgap components are strategically important for the development of next generation space-borne systems. eGaN devices are quickly gaining momentum in the space industry and we will see many more applications for them by NASA and commercial contractors in future programs like Artemis and other programs in countries around the globe pursuing efforts into Space.

Power Systems Design
November, 2019
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Small satellites bring a more cost-effective approach to low-Earth-orbit (LEO) missions, helping to deliver low-cost internet access across the globe. For this application, GaN FETs partnered with a radiation tolerant pulse width modulation controller and GaN fet driver allow more efficient switching, higher frequency operation, reduced gate drive voltage and smaller solution sizes compared to the traditional silicon counterparts.

Electronics Weekly
July, 2019
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美国加州MILPITAS - 2016年5月 25日美通社专讯 --占领电源管理和精确模拟解决方案的市场领导地位的Intersil Corporation (纳斯达克指数NASDAQ代号: ISIL) 宣布计划进一步扩大其业界领先、面向卫星应用的耐辐射产品系列，在卫星及其它恶劣环境采用具备高可靠性的氮化镓（GaN）功率转换集成电路。

美通社
2016年5月25日
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