EPC Technical Articles

Compact, High Performance, Next Generation PV Optimizers using eGaN FETs and dedicated ASIC Controller

The adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems continues to grow, and the ever-present pressure on manufacturers drives innovation and the adoption of new technologies to reduce cost without compromising reliability. As renewable energy systems continue to evolve, the use of innovative technologies like GaN FETs will be key to driving further improvements in cost, performance, and reliability across the industry.

Bodo’s Power Systems
November 2024
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An Analysis of the Drain and Gate Overvoltage Failure Mechanisms in p-GaN HEMT Power Devices

In this article we discuss an analysis of root cause failure mechanisms from drain and gate over-voltage stresses on p-GaN HEMT devices that are widely used in the industry. An exclusive interview with one of the authors of this study is presented in the conclusions.

Power Electronics News
October 2024
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GaN Power Solutions Empower Automotive, Robotics, and More

EPC's portfolio of GaN-based power-conversion solutions, built to deliver high efficiency and reliability, were on display at PCIM Europe.

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Electronic Design
July, 2024

PCIM Europe 2024: A Conversation with Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC

Video: Alex Lidow discusses the latest trends in power electronics showcased at the PCIM conference, the evolution of GaN technology, and its impact on sustainability and energy costs. He also shares insights on overcoming technological and regulatory hurdles and forecasts future innovations that will shape the power electronics market.

Power Electronics News
June, 2024
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GaN ICs simplify Motor Joint Inverter Design for Humanoid Robots

Battery-powered applications such as new-generation robots, drones, and power tools require a reduction in space and a simplification of the design to control electric motors. Optimizing size and components results in innovative solutions that include more functions in a small space without losing efficiency and performance. EPC ePower™ Stage ICs technology helps to simplify and improve the inverter design in advanced motor control applications.

Bodo’s Power Systems
June, 2024
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EPC would like to provide an update on the recent earthquake in Taiwan

All our employees are safe, and our facilities have been thoroughly inspected and deemed safe for continued operation.

There has been no interruption to production. Our supply chain has been assessed as well, and there will not be any disruptions.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your local EPC sales representative.

Cascade of Power

Power semiconductors are used across many areas of e-mobility, with different technologies suitable for each part of a vehicle, depending on the voltage and current requirements, while emerging tech is allowing smaller systems to be implemented. With GaN and SiC technologies maturing and coming down in price, adoption is growing, and the technologies are increasingly dominating the design and development of e-mobility powertrain and power systems.

E-Mobility Engineering
March 2024
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Experts Weigh in on GaN & SiC at APEC 2024

In this video from Power Electronics News, a lineup of distinguished speakers from semiconductor companies shares insights into groundbreaking developments in gallium nitride– and silicon carbide–based power devices.

The GaN speakers address two critical questions shaping the future of wide bandgap:

  1. The significance of substrate material choice for GaN-based power devices. They elaborate on how this choice impacts device performance, reliability and manufacturability and discuss how researchers are tackling substrate-related challenges.
  2. Specific market segments where GaN devices are outperforming traditional silicon-based solutions, driving adoption and revealing the technology direction of their respective companies. The speakers include:
    • Robert Taylor, applications engineer/general manager industrial applications at Texas Instruments
    • Michael de Rooij, VP of applications engineering at EPC
    • Balu Balakrishnan, CEO of Power Integrations

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Using GaN FETs with Controllers and Gate Drivers Designed for Silicon MOSFETs

Gallium Nitride (GaN) FETs have revolutionized the power electronics industry, offering advantages such as smaller size, faster switching, higher efficiency, and lower costs compared to traditional silicon MOSFETs. However, the rapid evolution of GaN technology has sometimes outpaced the development of dedicated GaN-specific gate drivers and controllers. Consequently, circuit designers often turn to generic gate drivers designed for silicon MOSFETs, necessitating careful consideration of various factors to ensure optimal performance.

Bodo’s Power Systems
February, 2024
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PODCAST: GaN for Motor Control and LiDAR Applications

In this episode of PowerUP featuring Alex Lidow, CEO of EPC, we delve into an examination of the revolutionary implications of GaN technology across a range of applications, with a specific focus on motor control and LiDAR systems.

Power Electronics News
February, 2024
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Advancements in GaN Motor Drive Inverters Revolutionize UAV Drones for Agricultural Applications

Modern agricultural techniques have been revolutionized by the integration of unmanned aerial- vehicle (UAV) drones, which are low-voltage battery-operated aircrafts. Smaller drones are utilized for terrain mapping and vegetation monitoring, while heavier, more robust variants are employed for tasks such as spraying and distributing fertilizers and insecticides as well as disseminating seeds and feed with payloads up to 50 kg loads. GaN-based inverters prove to be suitable for UAV agricultural drones since they extend the battery life by improving motor efficiency, courtesy of the higher PWM frequency with sinusoidal excitation. In addition to the efficiency considerations, the higher PWM frequency contributes to a reduction in the dimensions of the DC link, thereby reducing the size and weight of the inverter, which is vital in lightweight aircrafts.

Bodo’s Power Systems
December, 2023
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Thermal Modeling for GaN CSP

Gallium nitride–based high-electron–mobility transistors (HEMTs) have been widely adopted in both consumer and industrial power conversion due to their many material and device advantages over legacy silicon-based converters. The improvements in power-conversion efficiency at much higher switching frequencies that are enabled by GaN can translate to lower system costs and improved power density. Heat dissipation analysis and thermal modeling become critically important as power densities increase. In this article, we will review a thermal calculator tool released by Efficient Power Conversion (EPC). EPC manufactures enhancement-mode GaN HEMTs and integrated power-conversion circuits like half-bridges that form the building blocks of many converters.

Power Electronics News
November 2023
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GaN Technology from EPC Space Exhibits Extreme Robustness for Space Missions

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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Using GaN FETs to Burst Through 5 kW/in3 in a 48 V to 12 V LLC Converter

LLC resonant converters have emerged as the preferred topology for an intermediate 48 V to 12 V conversion due to their high efficiency, high power density and good dynamic response. The outstanding performance resulting from the combination of this topology with GaN transistors has been demonstrated in the past. This article presents how the newest generation of GaN devices, such as those from EPC, continues to push the envelope even further.

Bodo’s Power Systems
November, 2023
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GaN in Space: Unlocking Efficiency and Performance in Satellite Systems

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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The State of GaN Adoption

What are the factors impacting gallium nitride’s adoption across a wide range of power management applications? In this article, we will explore the feedback that EPC has received from customers we have visited over the last 13 years that the company has been in volume production.

Power Electronics News
October, 2023
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GaN Transistors Simplify the Design of High Current Motor Drive Inverters

Battery-powered industrial vehicles such as forklifts, manual handlers, or warehouse automatic vehicles require high-current inverters to drive the electric motors. Gallium nitride technology helps to increase the power capability and simplify the inverter design in these applications.

Bodo’s Power Systems
October, 2023
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EPC optimistic about GaN sector

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) is optimistic about GaN despite geopolitical challenges and the changing landscape in the compound semiconductor sector.

DIGITIMES
September, 2023
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GaN power components will be cheaper than silicon ones, says EPC

Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor company Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) is taking a fresh stab at the power component landscape, challenging the longstanding silicon hegemony.

DIGITIMES
September, 2023
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EPC Space Brings GaN to the Edge of the Atmosphere

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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