EPC and VPT create EPC Space for rad-hard GaN
GaN-based power conversion products for mission-critical applications such as satellites and space-borne products in high-rel environments will be the focus for EPC Space, a joint venture between Efficient Power Conversion (EPC) and VPT, a Heico company.
EPC Space will design and manufacture radiation-hardened (rad-hard) GaN-on-silicon transistors and ICs packaged, tested, and qualified for satellite and high-reliability applications. The components will encompass power supplies, light detection and ranging (lidar), motor drive, and ion thrusters for space-borne applications, which offer superior performance compared with silicon-based products, says EPC Space.
VPT operates in power conversion for avionics, military and space applications. EPC produces enhancement mode GaN-based power management devices and ICs that use GaN’s advantages over silicon to deliver greater space, energy, and cost efficiency, says the company. EPC was the first company to introduce enhancement-mode GaN-on-silicon (eGaN) FETs to replace power MOSFETs in DC/DC converters, wireless power transfer, envelope tracking, RF transmission, power inverters, remote sensing technology (lidar), and class-D audio amplifiers.
EPC CEO and co-founder, Alex Lidow said: “The joint venture – EPC Space – is taking the superior performance of GaN to the high reliability community, offering electrical and radiation performance beyond the capabilities of the aging rad-hard silicon MOSFET.”
Dan Sable, Founder and CEO of VPT, added: “EPC’s GaN technology enables a new generation of power converters in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies and greater power densities than ever achievable before. We are excited about this venture’s ability to provide mission-critical components and services to our high-reliability markets.”
VPT is part of the Heico Electronic Technologies Group. It provides DC/DC power converters, EMI filters and custom engineering services for avionics, military, space, and industrial applications. Organisations such as NASA, ESA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, BAE Systems and Thales use its hi-rel products for power-critical sytems.
Heico is engaged in niche segments of the aviation, defence, space and electronics industries through Heico Aerospace Holdings and Heico Electronic Technologies.
