GaN half-bridge power ICs enable megahertz-range switching frequencies

Navitas Semiconductor announced the industry’s first GaNSense half-bridge power ICs. These half-bridge ICs enable a new level of MHz switching frequencies while dramatically reducing the system cost and complexity compared to existing discrete solutions.

GaNSense half-bridge power ICs integrate two GaN FETs with drive, control, sensing, autonomous protection, and level-shift isolation, to create a fundamental power-stage building block for power electronics. This revolutionary single-package solution reduces component count and footprint by over 60% compared to existing discrete, which cuts system cost, size, weight, and complexity. The integrated GaNSense technology enables unprecedented autonomous protection for increased reliability and robustness, combined with loss-less current sensing for higher levels of efficiency and energy savings. The high integration levels also eliminate circuit parasitics and delays, making MHz-frequency operation a reality for a broad 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 perfect fit for totem-pole PFC, as well as motor-drive applications.

GaNSense half-bridge ICs are anticipated to have a significant impact in all Navitas target markets including mobile fast chargers, consumer power adapters, data center power supplies, solar inverters, energy storage, and EV applications.

The initial family of GaNSense Half-Bridge ICs includes the NV6247 which is rated at 650 V, 160 mOhms (dual), and the NV6245C, rated at 275 mOhms (dual), both in an industry-standard, low-profile, low-inductance, 6 x 8 mm PQFN package. 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. A wide range of package styles and power levels will become available in this GaNSense Half-Bridge IC family in the coming quarters. More details can be found in our dedicated Application Note AN018.