Nanomicro Semiconductor established the world's first gallium nitride power chip design center for electric vehicles

The next generation of gallium nitride power chips will accelerate the arrival of electric vehicles that charge faster, drive farther distances three years in advance, and reduce road carbon dioxide emissions by 20%.

BEIJING, Jan. 14, 2022 – Navitas Semiconductor (NASDAQ: NVTS), an industry leader in gallium nitride (GaN) power chips, announces the opening of a new electric vehicle (EV) design center to further expand into the higher-power gallium nitride market. Compared to traditional silicon solutions, Gallium Nitride-based on-board chargers (OBCs) are estimated to charge up to 3 times faster and save up to 70% of energy. It is estimated that gaN OBC, DC-DC converters and traction inverters are expected to extend the range of electric vehicles or reduce battery costs by 5%, compared with the original use of silicon chips, gallium nitride power chips are expected to accelerate the global EV penetration three years in advance. It is estimated that by 2050, after upgrading electric vehicles to gaN, the road sector is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20% per year, which is also the reduction target of the Paris Agreement.

Gallium nitride (GaN) devices are at the forefront of power semiconductor technology, operating 20 times faster than traditional silicon chips. Navitas' GaNFast power chips integrate GaN power supplies, GaN drives, protection, and control. High speed and high efficiency have become the new industry standard for energy saving, high power density, low cost and higher reliability.

Located in Shanghai, China, the new design center features an experienced team of world-class power system designers with comprehensive capabilities in electrical, thermal and mechanical design, software development, and complete simulation and prototyping capabilities. The new team will support EV customers around the world, from concept to prototype to full certification and mass production.

Mr. Sun Hao, a well-known electric vehicle industry expert and the new senior director of Shanghai Design Center, said: "The design center will develop schematics, layouts and firmware for full-featured, productizable electric vehicle powertrains. Navitas will work with OBC, DC-DC and Traction Systems companies to create innovative world-class solutions with the highest power density and highest efficiency to drive GaN into mainstream electric vehicles. ”

High-power 650V GaN ICs tailored for EV applications have been sampled to EV customers in December 2021. At the recent Xiaomi Production and Investment Day event, Nano Micro showed a 6.6kW OBC concept model, which was also shown at CES.

"The Nano Semiconductor Electric Vehicle team has a wealth of talent and mature experience in providing powertrains," said Zha Yingjie, vice president and general manager of Nano Semiconductor China. "Electric vehicles are an exciting expanding market for GaN, with an estimated potential value of gaN within each EV at $250. Market-by-market, Navitas is rapidly advancing to higher-power applications such as electric vehicles, data centers, and solar. ”

Manufacturing Gallium nitride power chips emits 10 times less CO2 than silicon chips. Given the efficiency as well as the material size and weight advantages, each nano-micro gallium nitride power chip can save about 4 kg of carbon dioxide compared to silicon. Overall, GaN is expected to address the reduction of CO2 emissions of 2.6 Gton per year by 2050.

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