Dave Savastano09.26.13
Highly modern power transistors based on gallium nitride (GaN) enable power electronic switches to operate at much higher switching frequencies compared to those based on silicon (Si). An increased power density per volume and per weight, reduced costs, less material use and, in the case of a mobile system, increased system efficiency are among the advantages.
Solutions and concepts for high-frequency power electronics of the future shall be developed in the collaborative project “GaN-resonant – Efficient, highly compact high frequency power electronics with GaN transistors,” which is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). “GaN-resonant“ was launched on July 1, 2013 and will be funded with around €1.2 million over the next three years by the BMBF.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, the SUMIDA Components & Modules GmbH and the Liebherr Elektronik GmbH are all involved in the collaborative project “GaN-resonant.” The project goal is to develop a resonant DC/DC converter with GaN transistors, which is to operate with switching frequencies well above 1 MHz and a nominal power of 3 kW. The simultaneous occurrence of extremely high switching frequencies and high transmitted power requires the use of special, innovative inductive components.
The development of such devices makes up a significant part of the collaborative project. Due to high power losses, the solutions available today limit the technically practical switching frequency. Thus, the existing solutions are not suitable for future applications, which demand both a substantially higher power density and a higher efficiency at the same time. This accomplishment can only be realized by innovations in the area of inductive components (core materials and geometries, winding structures and cooling concepts).
The field of aeronautical electronics is one possible application area for the resonant voltage converter under development. In this field, compactness and low weight are of utmost importance. With its higher power density, the electronics are also well-suited for other mobile applications.
Low space requirements, low cooling demand and low weight are decisive criteria for the mobility sector. Another use is found in the power supply for server farms or communication electronics in general. Today the worldwide energy consumption for the communication infrastructure has reached immense proportions. In addition to saving material with this technology, the power loss can also be reduced. This leads not only to increased efficiency but also to lower cooling demands.
Solutions and concepts for high-frequency power electronics of the future shall be developed in the collaborative project “GaN-resonant – Efficient, highly compact high frequency power electronics with GaN transistors,” which is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). “GaN-resonant“ was launched on July 1, 2013 and will be funded with around €1.2 million over the next three years by the BMBF.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, the SUMIDA Components & Modules GmbH and the Liebherr Elektronik GmbH are all involved in the collaborative project “GaN-resonant.” The project goal is to develop a resonant DC/DC converter with GaN transistors, which is to operate with switching frequencies well above 1 MHz and a nominal power of 3 kW. The simultaneous occurrence of extremely high switching frequencies and high transmitted power requires the use of special, innovative inductive components.
The development of such devices makes up a significant part of the collaborative project. Due to high power losses, the solutions available today limit the technically practical switching frequency. Thus, the existing solutions are not suitable for future applications, which demand both a substantially higher power density and a higher efficiency at the same time. This accomplishment can only be realized by innovations in the area of inductive components (core materials and geometries, winding structures and cooling concepts).
The field of aeronautical electronics is one possible application area for the resonant voltage converter under development. In this field, compactness and low weight are of utmost importance. With its higher power density, the electronics are also well-suited for other mobile applications.
Low space requirements, low cooling demand and low weight are decisive criteria for the mobility sector. Another use is found in the power supply for server farms or communication electronics in general. Today the worldwide energy consumption for the communication infrastructure has reached immense proportions. In addition to saving material with this technology, the power loss can also be reduced. This leads not only to increased efficiency but also to lower cooling demands.