Cambridge GaN Devices
Easy-to-use, Energy Efficient GaN Devices

With its superior switching performance, high efficiency at high frequency, and low energy consumption, GaN transistors are here to stay. However, compared to silicon transistors, many GaN technologies require complex driving circuitry and large board space to accommodate additional necessary components, leading to greater design-in complexity. Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), a spin-off from Cambridge University with extensive academic and industry expertise, anticipated this challenge eight years ago and developed a groundbreaking single-chip solution that merges logic and power for industry-first safe and robust eMode GaN.

The new generation of compact and lightweight power converters simplifies the design and saves board space compared to traditional GaN solutions while also being more environmentally friendly. By embedding a complete set of ICs directly into the same chip, CGD ensures its power transistors are safer, reliable, and simple to operate. This embedded logic allows seamless interfacing with any commercially available gate driver or controller, much like using a silicon MOSFET, making the power GaN transistor user-friendly.

This innovative design eliminates the need for specialized gate drivers, complex operating circuits, negative voltage supplies, or additional clamping components and features a low-profile, low-inductance package.

“We design, develop and commercialize GaN devices and ICs for a broad market. They enable high power density, exceptional reliability and robustness. They are also lightweight and compact, making them easy to use while reducing electricity consumption and lowering CO2 emissions,” says Florin Udrea, founder and CTO of Cambridge GaN Devices.

The company entered the market in 2022 with products designed for the consumer market, focusing on low-power applications. Building on that experience, it is now expanding into high-power applications, specifically addressing server power, telecom, and motor drives, which demand high-power solutions with enhanced thermal capabilities. Recently, CGD announced high-power ICeGaN ICs at the PCIM exhibition in Germany. This series is dedicated to enabling the highest efficiency levels for AI servers for data centers, inverters, EVs, and industrial SMPS. These solutions support multi kW power levels with the highest efficiency. These new high-performance packages also offer improved thermal resistance performance as low as 0.28 K/W, in line or better than the best alternatives in the market.

CGD’s solutions let the user achieve 99 percent efficiency in power conversion and more than 50 percent higher power density vs mainstream power technologies. CGD’s team, with a strong foundation in semiconductor physics, advanced engineering skills, innovative design approaches, and extensive industry knowledge, plays a crucial role in these innovations. This same team has been instrumental in the company’s many success stories, including a collaboration with Chicony Power, a top Taiwanese power supply manufacturer. CGD is helping them build innovative concepts to push beyond their present state-of-the-art power supply solutions across all power levels by using its innovative GaN solutions.

Another current partnership is with IFPEN, a French public company specializing in automotive technologies. The objective of this alliance is to showcase the value proposition of CGD’s technology across various high-power applications, highlighting the energy and CO2 emission savings that GaN technology can offer. The credit for these accomplishments also goes to its proud partnerships. One of its major partners is Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a foundry for GaN. In 2023, CGD was recognized for its mature and reliable GaN device manufacturing approach by TSMC and received the ‘Best Demo Award’ at TSMC’s 2023 Europe Technology Symposium. This partnership is a cornerstone of its supply chain and assures the company’s effective manufacturing capabilities.

Also, its assembly houses in Taiwan are perfectly built to help CGD manufacture devices in a sustainable manner, as sustainability is its extended responsibility. Sustainable and efficient power devices will soon be an imperative driving force for businesses in the electronics industry. CGD is already taking charge by placing electronics on the green agenda and offering advanced power solutions to its clients as well as end consumers, contributing to a greener world and a more sustainable future.