Infineon Technologies closed closing of the acquisition of Ottawa-based GaN Systems. The company brings with it a broad portfolio of gallium nitride (GaN)-based power conversion solutions and leading-edge application know-how.

All required regulatory clearances have been obtained and GaN Systems has become part of Infineon effective as of the closing.

GaN technology is paving the way for more energy-efficient and CO 2-saving solutions that support decarbonization. The acquisition of GaN Systems significantly accelerates our GaN roadmap and further strengthens Infineon’s leadership in power systems through mastery of all relevant power semiconductor technologies. We welcome our new colleagues from GaN Systems to Infineon.

—Jochen Hanebeck, CEO of Infineon

Infineon now has a total of 450 GaN experts and more than 350 GaN patent families, which expands the company’s leading position in power semiconductors and considerably speeds up time-to-market.

Both companies’ complementary strengths in IP and application understanding as well as a well-filled customer project pipeline put Infineon in an excellent position to address various fast-growth applications.

On 2 March 2023, Infineon and GaN Systems announced that the companies had signed a definitive agreement under which Infineon would acquire GaN Systems for US$830 million. The acquisition, an all-cash transaction, was funded from existing liquidity.

In September, GaN Systems introduced its fourth generation GaN power platform. This technology sets a new power efficiency and compactness standard, delivering an impressive step-function performance boost and industry-leading figures of merit. For example, with GaN Systems Gen4 in an artificial intelligence (AI) server rack, 3.2kW power supplies at 100W/in³ in 2022 are now achieving 120W/in³ with efficiencies above Titanium levels. Gen4 will impact power markets, including consumer electronics, data centers, solar energy, industrial applications, and automotive.

The Gen4 power platform offers the following benefits:

• >20% improvement in input and output figures-of-merit translates into reduced losses, enhanced efficiency, and more cost-effective solutions.

• Increased granularity in device specification, combined with a wide range of packaging options, including PDFN, TOLL, TOLT, and Embedded – allowing the correct Rds resistance and package combination for each application, consequently optimizing electrical and thermal system performance.

• 700V E-mode with the industry’s highest transient voltage rating, 850V, significantly enhancing total system reliability and robustness. This rating enables the semiconductor components to withstand user environment anomalies, such as voltage spikes, ensuring uninterrupted and dependable performance.

• On-state resistance ranges enable power systems from 20W to 25,000W.