6 February 2012

Transphorm unveils first qualified 600V GaN product

In what it describes as its latest step to solve the growing problem of electrical energy waste in power conversion, at the Applied Power Electronics Conference (APEC 2012) Transphorm Inc of Goleta, near Santa Barbara, CA, USA has announced the qualification of its first products, 600V power diodes based on its patented EZ-GaN (gallium nitride) technology, all in industry-standard TO-220 packages: the TPS2010PK (6A), the TPS2011PK (4A), and the TPS2012PK (2A). The products are now qualified and available for sale to approved customers.

Transphorm claims that its efficient, compact, easy-to-embed power conversion modules cut energy waste by 20% and can simplify the design and manufacturing of a variety of electrical systems and devices, including motor drives, power supplies and inverters for solar panels and electric vehicles. To demonstrate the performance of its technology, at the APEC exhibition [in booth 226] Transphorm is showcasing its EZ-GaN-based DC-to-DC Boost Converter running at more than 99% efficiency.

Transphorm emerged from stealth mode in February 2011. Backed by $38m in funding from Google Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Foundation Capital and Lux Capital, Transphorm was co-founded in 2007 by CEO Umesh Mishra, a professor of electrical & computer engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), together with Primit Parikh as president.

“As predicted at APEC 2011, we are pleased to announce the availability of our first qualified products at APEC 2012 and showcase our technology to customers, partners and other stakeholders, as examples of our commitment to demonstrate that GaN devices for power are moving into mainstream adoption,” says CEO Umesh Mishra. “Our EZ-GaN solutions also impact broad applications such as motor drive systems, where our products provide 2-8% electromechanical efficiency gains,” he adds.

Electric power waste during power conversion is equivalent to the daily output of 318 coal plants, and costs the US economy $40bn per year, it is reckoned. Transphorm claims to be the first firm to provide a qualified 600V GaN solution to inefficient power conversion. The GaN products are designed for optimum high-frequency switching. Transphorm says that its proprietary EZ- GaN platform can reduce power system size, increase energy density and deliver high efficiencies across the grid, from HVACs to hybrids, and from servers to solar panels.

“Our team lays the key first stake in the ground demonstrating that 600V GaN is not just a long-term promise, but today a superior product - an accomplishment made possible by working closely with our customer-partners who deliver the end products for power conversion,” says president Primit Parikh. “For customers looking for a low-risk roadmap to the next generation of power conversion technology, Transphorm’s EZ-GaN provides a cost-effective, customizable and easy-to-use solution ready for commercial scale,” he claims.

Tags: Transphorm GaN

Visit: www.transphormusa.com