Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), the fabless, clean-tech semiconductor company that develops GaN-based power devices, revealed more details about a solution that will enable the company to address electric vehicle (EV) powertrain applications over 100 kW — a market worth over $10 billion.
Its Combo ICeGaN gallium nitride (GaN) technology combines smart ICeGaN HEMT ICs and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) in the same module or IPM, maximizing efficiency and offering a cost-effective alternative to costly silicon-carbide (SiC) solutions.
The proprietary Combo ICeGaN approach uses ICeGaN and IGBT devices to operate in a parallel architecture with similar drive voltage ranges (e.g., 0-20V) and excellent gate robustness. The ICeGaN switch is extremely efficient, with low conduction and low switching losses at relatively low currents (light load).
At the same time, the IGBT is dominant at relatively high currents (toward full load or during surge conditions). Combo ICeGaN also benefits from the high saturation currents, the avalanche clamping capability of IGBTs, and the efficient switching of ICeGaN. At higher temperatures, the bipolar component of the IGBT will start to conduct at lower on-state voltages, supplementing the current loss in the ICeGaN.
Conversely, at lower temperatures, ICeGaN will take more current. Sensing and protection functions are intelligently managed to optimally drive the Combo ICeGaN and enhance the Safe Operating Area (SOA) of ICeGaN and IGBT devices.
ICeGaN technology allows EV engineers to enjoy GaN’s benefits in dc-to-dc converters, onboard chargers, and potentially traction inverters. Combo ICeGaN further extends the benefits of CGD’s GaN technology into the rich 100-kW+ traction inverter market. ICeGaN ICs have been proven to be reliable and IGBTs have a proven track record in traction and EV applications.
Similar, proprietary parallel combinations of ICeGaN devices with SiC MOSFETs have also been proven by CGD, but Combo ICeGaN (which is now detailed in a published IEDM paper) is a far more economical solution. CGD expects to have working demos of Combo ICeGaN at the end of this year.
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