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Highest power density DCDC converters

Vitesco Technologies, a supplier of drive technologies and electrification solutions, has selected GaN to improve the power efficiency of its Gen5+ GaN Air DCDC converter. The CoolGaN transistors 650 V from Infineon Technologies significantly improved overall system performance, while minimizing system cost and increasing ease of use. Vitesco created a new generation of DCDC converters setting new standards in power density (efficiency of over 96 per cent) and sustainability for power grids, power supplies and OBCs.

Infineon’s senior VP and GM, GaN Systems Business Line Head, Johannes Schoiswohl, said: “We are delighted to see industry leaders like Vitesco Technologies using our GaN devices and innovating with their applications. The ultimate value of GaN is demonstrated when it changes paradigms, as in this example of moving from a liquid-cooled system to an air-cooled system.”

With GaN transistors, Vitesco Technologies was able to design its DCDC converters with passive cooling, which reduces the system’s overall cost. The GaN devices also allow for simplified converter design and mechanical integration. As a result, the DCDC converters can be flexibly positioned in the vehicle, reducing the workload for manufacturers.

GaN also allows the power of the converters to be scaled up to 3.6 kW and power density to be increased to over 4.2 kW/l. The Gen5+ GaN Air DCDC converters offer an efficiency of over 96 per cent and improved thermal behaviour compared to the Gen5 liquid-cooled converters. They provide a two-phase output of 248 A at 14.5 V continuous. The phases can be combined to achieve maximum output power.