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EPC Space Brings GaN to the Edge of the Atmosphere

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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GaN HEMT Package Improves Paralleling Of Devices In Space Power Applications

GaN HEMT Package Improves Paralleling Of Devices In Space Power Applications

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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40 V Rad Hard GaN FETs Set New Performance Standards for Demanding Space Applications

40 V Rad Hard GaN FETs Set New Performance Standards for Demanding Space Applications

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 APulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 7 mm2 footprint. EPC7002 is a 40 V, 14.5 mΩ, 62 APulsed, 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 VDS 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.

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Podcast: EPC’s Progress in GaN Reliability in RadHard and New Space Applications

Podcast: EPC’s Progress in GaN Reliability in RadHard and New Space Applications

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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GaN Transistors Bring Newest Rad Hard Technology to Demanding Space Applications

GaN Transistors Bring Newest Rad Hard Technology to Demanding Space Applications

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 APulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 12 mm2 footprint. The EPC7003 is a 100 V, 30 mΩ, 42 APulsed, 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 VDS 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.

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Podcast: GaN Devices for Space Applications

Podcast: GaN Devices for Space Applications

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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Rad Hard GaN Transistors Offering Highest Density and Efficiency on the Market for Demanding Space Applications Available from EPC

Rad Hard GaN Transistors Offering Highest Density and Efficiency on the Market for Demanding Space Applications Available from EPC

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 the addition of a fifth rad hard device to the product family.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— June 2022 — EPC announces the introduction of the EPC7004 radiation-hardened GaN FET. The EPC7004 is a 100 V, 7 mΩ, 160 APulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 6.56 mm2 footprint. The EPC7004 has a total dose radiation rating greater than 1 Mrad and SEE immunity for LET of 85 MeV/(mg/cm2). The EPC7004, along with the rest of the Rad Hard family, EPC7014, EPC7007, EPC7019, EPC7018, 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.

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Rad Hard 100 V GaN Transistor from EPC Offers Lowest On-Resistance Solution on the Market for Demanding Space Applications

Rad Hard 100 V GaN Transistor from EPC Offers Lowest On-Resistance Solution on the Market for Demanding Space Applications

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 100 V device that has the lowest on-resistance of any 100 V rad hard transistor currently available on the market.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.— June 2022 — EPC announces the introduction of the EPC7018 radiation-hardened GaN FET. The EPC7018 is a 100 V, 3.9 mΩ, 345 APulsed, rad-hard GaN FET in a small 13.9 mm2 footprint. The EPC7018 has a total dose radiation rating greater than 1 Mrad and SEE immunity for LET of 85 MeV/(mg/cm2). The EPC7018, along with the rest of the Rad Hard family, EPC7014, EPC7007, EPC7019, 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.

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Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Releases Lowest On-Resistance Rad Hard Transistor Available on the Market for Demanding Space Applications

Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Releases Lowest On-Resistance Rad Hard Transistor Available on the Market for Demanding Space Applications

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 APulsed, 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.

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Motor Driver Applications in Space

Motor Driver Applications in Space

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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Discovering GaN for Power Design in Space — An Interview with Alex Lidow

Discovering GaN for Power Design in Space — An Interview with Alex Lidow

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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GaN in Space Applications

GaN in Space Applications

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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GaN Transistor for Space Missions

GaN Transistor for Space Missions

GaN power transistors are an ideal choice for power and RF applications to support extreme space missions. Through its new eGaN® solutions, EPC Space guarantees radiation hardness performance and SEE (single-event effects) immunity, with devices that are specifically designed for critical applications in commercial satellite space. These devices have exceptionally high electron mobility and a low-temperature coefficient with very low RDS(on) values.

EETimes
July, 2020
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EPC and VPT, Inc. Announce Joint Venture – EPC Space – Targeting the Radiation Hardened Power Electronics Market for Mission Critical Applications

EPC and VPT, Inc. Announce Joint Venture – EPC Space – Targeting the Radiation Hardened Power Electronics Market for Mission Critical Applications

EPC Space, a joint venture company, will provide advanced, high-reliability, gallium nitride (GaN) power conversion solutions for critical spaceborne and other high reliability environments.

EL SEGUNDO, CA and BLACKSBURG, VA – June 2020 – Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) Corporation and VPT, Inc., A HEICO company (NYSE:HEI.A) (NYSE:HEI)  announce the establishment of EPC Space LLC, a joint venture focused on designing and manufacturing radiation hardened (Rad Hard) GaN-on-silicon transistors and ICs packaged, tested, and qualified for satellite and high-reliability applications.

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Will GaN and the Tesla SpaceX car survive space radiation? Yes and no.

Will GaN and the Tesla SpaceX car survive space radiation? Yes and no.

Two space travel related stories hit my desktop this week; one that rapidly generated major international headlines and one that slid very quietly onto my email screen.

The headline-hitter was the successful launch of Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket with its payload of a Tesla sports car, complete with a dummy driver at the wheel. The second was about Gallium Nitride technology that would be suitable for space applications.

Electro Pages
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Renesas Electronics Ships Space Industry’s First Radiation-Hardened 100V and 200V GaN FET Power Supply Solutions

Renesas Electronics Ships Space Industry’s First Radiation-Hardened 100V and 200V GaN FET Power Supply Solutions

SL70040SEH Low Side GaN FET Driver Powers ISL7002xSEH GaN FETs in Launch Vehicle and Satellite Power Supplies

TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Renesas Electronics Corporation (TSE:6723), a premier supplier of advanced semiconductor solutions, today announced the space industry’s first radiation-hardened, low side Gallium Nitride (GaN) field effect transistor (FET) driver and GaN FETs that enable primary and secondary DC/DC converter power supplies in launch vehicles and satellites, as well as downhole drilling and high reliability industrial applications. These devices power ferrite switch drivers, motor control driver circuits, heater control modules, embedded command modules, 100V and 28V power conditioning, and redundancy switching systems.

Business Wire
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