Navitas breaks barriers with half-bridge GaN power ICs
Two GaN FETs are integrated in the GaNSense half bridge power ICs by Navitas. The next generation GaN device delivers MHz performance with over 60 per cent reduction in components and circuit size, claimed the company.
In addition to achieving MHz switching frequencies, they also reduce system cost and complexity compared to existing discrete devices, said Navitas, The initial family of GaNSense half bridge ICs are the NV6247, which is rated at 650V, 160 mOhms (dual) and the NV6245C, rated at 275 mOhms (dual). Both are supplied in an industry standard, low profile, low inductance, 6.0 x 8.0mm PQFN package.
GaNSense half-bridge power ICs integrate two GaN FETs with drive, control, sensing, autonomous protection and level-shift isolation in a single package to deliver the size, cost and weight savings.
The integrated GaNSense technology enables autonomous protection for increased reliability and robustness, said the company, together with lossless current sensing for higher levels of efficiency and energy savings. The high integration levels also eliminate circuit parasitics and delays. MHz operation is therefore a reality for a range of AC/DC power topologies including LLC resonant, asymmetric half-bridge (AHB), and active-clamp flyback (ACF). The GaNSense half-bridge ICs are also a suitable for totem-pole PFC (power factor correction), as well as motor-drive applications.
Potential applications for the GaNSense half bridge ICs are mobile fast chargers, consumer power adapters, data centre power supplies, solar inverters, energy storage and EV applications.
Gene Sheridan, Navitas CEO commented: “Our initial GaNFast ICs enabled an increase from 50 to 60kHz to 200 to 500kHz, and now the GaNSense half bridges elevate those benefits to the MHz range”.
The NV6247 is immediately available in production with 16-week lead times, while the NV6245C is sampling to select customers and will be broadly available in production to all customers in Q4 2022. Further package styles and power levels will be introduced to the family, said Navitas.
