Onsemi announces Vertical GaN (vGaN) technology
Posted by Balance-@reddit | hardware | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Onsemi has introduced its new Vertical GaN (vGaN) power semiconductor technology, which utilizes a GaN-on-GaN substrate to create Junction Field-Effect Transistors (JFETs). This architecture enables current to flow vertically through the chip, a key difference from conventional lateral GaN devices that use silicon or sapphire substrates and a horizontal current path.
The vGaN devices are designed for high-power applications, capable of handling voltages of 1200 V and higher, and feature robust edge termination for full avalanche capability. Onsemi highlights that this vertical structure leads to higher power density, greater efficiency from low on-resistance, and superior thermal performance compared to lateral GaN. These device-level improvements are intended to enable more compact and efficient power systems for applications such as AI data centers, electric vehicle inverters, and renewable energy infrastructure. The components are currently sampling to early access customers.
Nuck_Chorris_Stache@reddit
Not sure if this has applications for things like CPUs and GPUs. I'm guessing its use cases are different.
gomurifle@reddit
Yeah this is more for power electronics but it will have impact on things like power supplies, motherboards, maybe monitors.
PJ796@reddit
This won't affect anything low voltage like motherboards. Monitors with integrated power supplies and power supplies in general, absolutely, but outside that very fast, very high voltage JFETs don't really have any use.
JFETs as well due to being depletion mode (On with 0Vgs and for N-channel devices need negative Vgs to turn off) are usually reserved for very high input impedance and/or very low noise analog circuits, as they have the lowest gate currents and lowest noise of any transistor type, and this is not just because "MOSFETs are better" but because they're radically different due to being depletion mode instead of enhancement mode and as such can't be used in the same way without a lot of supporting circuitry that prevents melting itself due to shoot-through on startup
gomurifle@reddit
The article suggests they achieve a low overall Rds(ON) by using "High bulk GaN mobility."
They didn't give numbers so I don't know if that compares well to resisitance to drain of the Si and SiC types.
immortal_sniper1@reddit
Now let's see capacities and prices.
NewKitchenFixtures@reddit
I expect GaN to replace silicon more significantly at some point. But it keeps not happening so I’m feeling a little skeptical.
I saw a 200MHz power converter more recently; that kind of dramatic change is a way bigger deal than just hitting 10MHz on a switcher.
immortal_sniper1@reddit
please explain what is a power converter in this context. ADI has 100MHz+ converters inside a chip waffer.
As for GaN yea if the economics allow it it will win in the end but they make Si work for longer with tech like FinFET GAA....
3G6A5W338E@reddit
vGaN, but I still eat meat.
ctskifreak@reddit
/r/angryupvote