GaN Devices Designed for High Power, Mission Critical Applications Help Boco Electronics Deliver More Bits with Less Watts at a Lower Overall System Cost
GOLETA, Calif. — Transphorm, Inc. (Nasdaq: TGAN)—a pioneer in and global supplier of high reliability, high performance gallium nitride (GaN) power conversion products—along with Boco Electronics today announced that the electronics company's 3.6 kW power supply uses SuperGaN® FETs. The robust 12-volt AC-to-DC power supply achieves a peak efficiency of greater than 96% and is designed to be used in rugged environments caused by ultra-demanding, high performance computing applications. Driven by Transphorm's SuperGaN devices in a patented bridgeless totem-pole PFC topology, that power efficiency rating is nearly 1 percent higher or 36 Watts lower power consumption than what Boco Electronics achieves in traditional PFC configurations. In turn, the power supply delivers more computing power (bits) with less energy used (Watts). The totem-pole PFC topology along with the FET's TO-247 package also enables reduction of the overall power system's component count, which reduces the overall system cost.
The applications targeted by Boco Electronics are known for consuming extremely high amounts of energy, driving up toxic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Transphorm's SuperGaN technology efficiency helps reduce that environmental waste and is on track to eliminate more than 50,000 metric tons of CO2 in 2022 alone.
"Our customers seek higher power, higher efficiency, higher reliability power supplies to support intensive compute applications that run 24 hours a day, seven days a week," said Golden Yin, CEO, Hangzhou Boco Electronics Co., LTD. "We knew we could meet those requirements by matching our strong design capabilities with advanced GaN solutions. Whereas GaN was the right technology in general, Transphorm's SuperGaN products were the right devices. They proved to be better suited for the higher power ranges while offering the higher field reliability required by such industrial applications when compared to alternative options."
The Transphorm device used in the power supply is the JEDEC-qualified TP65H035G4WS, a normally-off 650-volt device with an on resistance of 35 milliohms. Part of the SuperGaN Gen IV product family, it offers an industry-leading ±20 volt gate robustness with the industry's best noise immunity threshold of 4 volts.
With faster switching and lower losses, Transphorm's GaN replaces traditional MOSFETs used by Boco Electronics in similar incumbent power supplies. Further, it allows Boco Electronics to use the advanced totem-pole PFC in lieu of an interleaving H (full bridge) PFC or interleaving DCM PFC. The system's resulting power density increased, allowing for additional space for increased cooling air flow. Notably, development of the power supply took only six months, aligning with the ease of drivability and designability synonymous with Transphorm's devices.
"Power hungry, high compute applications that solve complex mathematical problems while processing massive amounts of data are increasingly more expensive to support, from hardware to raw energy resources," said Kenny Yim, Vice President of Asia Pacific Sales, Transphorm. "As a result, we're seeing manufacturers of related high power application systems turn to GaN for remarkably better performance and efficiency to combat higher electricity prices. It's a trend we're proud to support as we continue to strengthen and enhance our GaN platform."
Transphorm's role in Boco Electronics' product development process went beyond supplying transistors. The semiconductor company's technical support team collaborated with the Boco Electronics engineering team on design reviews to ensure the GaN technology was maximized for the highest performance output possible.
Availability
The 3.6 kW power supply is currently available.
About Transphorm
Transphorm, Inc., a global leader in the GaN revolution, designs and manufactures high performance and high reliability GaN semiconductors for high voltage power conversion applications. Having one of the largest Power GaN IP portfolios of more than 1,000 owned or licensed patents, Transphorm produces the industry's first JEDEC and AEC-Q101 qualified high voltage GaN semiconductor devices. The Company's vertically integrated device business model allows for innovation at every development stage: design, fabrication, device, and application support. Transphorm's innovations are moving power electronics beyond the limitations of silicon to achieve over 99% efficiency, 40% more power density and 20% lower system cost. Transphorm is headquartered in Goleta, California and has manufacturing operations in Goleta and Aizu, Japan. For more information, please visit www.transphormusa.com. Follow us on Twitter @transphormusa and WeChat @ Transphorm_GaN.
The SuperGaN mark is a registered trademark of Transphorm, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The content in the press release, including, but not limited to, product prices and specifications, is based on the information as of the date indicated on the document, but may be subject to change without prior notice.