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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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) expands its family of radiation-hardened (rad-hard) gallium nitride (GaN) products for power conversion solutions with two new 40 V devices rated at 62 A and 250 A to address critical spaceborne and other high-reliability applications.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— July 2023 — EPC announces the introduction of two new 40 V rated radiation-hardened GaN FETs.EPC7001 is a 40 V, 4 mΩ, 250 A_Pulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 7 mm² footprint. EPC7002 is a 40 V, 14.5 mΩ, 62 A_Pulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a tiny 1.87 mm² footprint.  Both devices have a total dose radiation rating greater than 1,000K Rad(Si) and SEE immunity for LET of 83.7 MeV/mg/cm² with V_DS up to 100% of rated breakdown. These new devices, along with the rest of the Rad Hard family, are offered in a chip-scale package.  Packaged versions are available from EPC Space.

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.

Spirit: Behind the Screen
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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) expands its family of radiation-hardened (rad-hard) gallium nitride (GaN) products for power conversion solutions with two new devices rated at 100 V and 200 V to address a multitude of critical spaceborne and other high-reliability .

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— April 2023 — EPC announces the introduction of two new radiation-hardened GaN FETs. The EPC7020 is a 200 V, 11 mΩ, 170 A_Pulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 12 mm² footprint. The EPC7003 is a 100 V, 30 mΩ, 42 A_Pulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a tiny 1.87 mm² footprint.  Both devices have a total dose radiation rating greater than 1,000K Rad(Si) and SEE immunity for LET of 83.7 MeV/mg/cm² with V_DS up to 100% of rated breakdown. These new devices, along with the rest of the Rad Hard family, EPC7019, EPC7014, EPC7004, EPC7018, EPC7007, are offered in a chip-scale package, the same as the commercial eGaN^® FET and IC family.  Packaged versions will be available from EPC Space.

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) strengthens market leadership in gallium nitride power conversion by adding significant 8-inch manufacturing capacities in collaboration with Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS).

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— December 6, 2022 — EPC, the world’s leader in gallium nitride (GaN) power FETs and integrated circuits (ICs), and Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation (VIS), a leading specialty IC foundry service provider, today jointly announced a multi-year production agreement to produce gallium nitride-based power semiconductors. EPC will utilize VIS’ 8-inch (200 mm) wafer fabrication capabilities, significantly increasing manufacturing capacities for EPC’s high-performance GaN transistors and integrated circuits. Manufacturing will commence in early 2023.

GaN power devices should be the ideal choice for power conversion applications in space because they are more robust than rad hard MOSFETs when exposed to various forms of radiation. The electrical and thermal performance of GaN has also demonstrated superior operation in a space environment. In this podcast, Bel Lazar, Chief Executive Officer of EPC Space, will analyze the importance of GaN for the space industry. In addition to his role as CEO of EPC Space, Bel currently serves as COO of Efficient Power Conversion (EPC).

EETimes
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宜普电源转换公司(EPC)扩展了其耐辐射氮化镓产品系列，新推的100 V器件用于要求严格的机载和其他高可靠性环境的电源转换解决方案，与目前市场上的任何100 V耐辐射晶体管相比，它具有最低的导通电阻。

EPC公司宣布推出100 V、3.9 mΩ、345 A_Pulsed的耐辐射GaN FETEPC7018，尺寸为13.9 mm²，其总剂量等级大于1 Mrad，线性能量转移（LET）的单一事件效应（SEE）抗扰度为85 MeV/(mg/cm²)。与EPC7014、EPC7007和EPC7019耐辐射产品系列相同，都是采用芯片级封装。封装器件由EPC Space.提供。

宜普电源转换公司(EPC)扩展了其耐辐射氮化镓产品系列，新推的200 V产品用于要求严格的机载和其他高可靠性环境下的电源转换解决方案，它具备超低的导通电阻和极小型化等优势。

EPC公司宣布推出200 V、25 mΩ、80 A_Pulsed的耐辐射GaN FET EPC7007。尺寸小至5.76 mm²，其总剂量等级大于1 Mrad，线性能量转移（LET）的单一事件效应（SEE）抗扰度为85 MeV/(mg/cm²)。与商用eGaN FET和IC系列相同，采用芯片级封装。 封装器件将由EPC Space提供。

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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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) expands its family of radiation-hardened (rad-hard) gallium nitride (GaN) products for power conversion solutions in critical spaceborne and other high reliability environments with a device that has the lowest on-resistance of any rad hard transistor currently available on the market.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— March 2021 — EPC announces the introduction of the EPC7019 radiation-hardened eGaN FET. The EPC7019, a 40 V, 1.5 mΩ, 530 A_Pulsed, rad-hard eGaN FET in a small 13.9 mm² footprint. The EPC7019 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, the same as the commercial eGaN FET and IC family.  Packaged versions will be available from EPC Space.

Wide-bandgap semiconductors like gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) are changing how people are thinking about power. In this video, Electronic Design talks to Alex Lidow, Founder and CEO of Efficient Powert Conversion (EPC), about the growing role of GaN in advanced embedded applications like automotive, among others such as space.

Electronic Design
January, 2022
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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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Unlike silicon, whereby specific manufacturing processes and packaging are required to insulate semiconductors from the effects of radiation, GaN devices are largely resistant to the damage caused by space radiation due to their physical characteristics and structure. In an interview with Alex Lidow, CEO at EPC, Power Electronic News have discovered the features of GaN for space applications.

Power Electronics News
September, 2021
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