News: Microelectronics
17 March 2021
Tower introduces galvanic isolation technology
Specialty foundry Tower Semiconductor Ltd (which has fabrication plants in Migdal Haemek, Israel, and at its US subsidiaries in Newport Beach, CA and San Antonio, TX, and at TowerJazz Japan Ltd) has announced a new galvanic capacitor technology integrated with its 0.18µm power management and mixed-signal platforms, enabling up to 12kV isolated gate driver and digital isolator ICs, which enhance safety and power efficiency for applications in the automotive, green power and industrial markets (addressing an estimated $1bn market).
The new technology is said to offer a cost and size advantage due to the integration of the galvanic isolator, saving the need for an additional device. Lead customers are prototyping initial products addressing applications such as battery chargers, power supplies and motor drivers for electric and hybrid vehicles (EV/HEVs), green power (solar inverters and wind turbines power converters) and industrial markets.
“We are very excited to announce this innovative technology as we partner with lead customers to bring new products to market, supporting the anticipated high growth in electrical vehicles and other applications for isolated power,” says Shimon Greenberg, Tower’s VP & general manager of its Mixed-Signal and Power Management Division, AIC business unit. “The new technology augments our widely deployed 0.18µm power technology, supporting applications from 5V to 200V”.
