CGD brings GaN advantages to motor control

Evaluation kit features Qorvo's high-performance BLDC/PMSM controller/driver and CGD's easy-to-use ICeGaN GaN power IC performance

June 7, 2024

Cambridge, UK - Cambridge GaN Devices (CGD), a fabless green technology semiconductor company, has developed a range of energy-efficient gallium nitride (GaN) power devices to enable greener electronics. CGD is collaborating with Qorvo® (NASDAQ: QRVO), a leading global provider of connectivity and power solutions, to develop reference designs and evaluation kits (EVKs) for GaN in motor control applications. CGD aims to accelerate the use of GaN power ICs in brushless DC (BLDC) and permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) applications to create higher power, efficient, compact and reliable systems. Qorvo uses CGD’s ICeGaN™ (IC-enhanced GaN) technology in the EVK designed for its PAC5556A high-performance BLDC/PMSM motor controller and driver.

Giorgia Longobardi | CEO, CGD

“Unlike other competitors offering GaN performance, our ICeGaN HEMTs provide interface circuitry without an integrated controller; therefore, by simply combining with highly integrated motor controller and driver ICs, the ICeGaN can be easily driven by drivers such as Qorvo’s PAC5556A 600 V high-performance BLDC/PMSM motor controller and driver. We are pleased to work with Qorvo to bring the benefits of GaN to their motor controller and drive applications.”

JEff Strang | General Manager, Power Management Division, Qorvo

“Wide bandgap semiconductors such as GaN and silicon carbide (SiC) are being actively used in various motor control applications due to their higher power density and efficiency advantages. CGD’s ICeGaN products offer ease of use and reliability, two key factors that are of concern to motor control and drive designers. We are excited to see the response of design engineers when they combine CGD’s ICeGaN with our highly integrated PAC5556A 600V brushless DC motor control solution.”

GaN brings multiple benefits including: Lower losses leading to higher efficiency, which in turn increases power availability and generates less heat. This reduces the need for complex, bulky and expensive thermal management solutions, resulting in smaller, more powerful systems with longer life. GaN also provides higher torque at low speeds, so more precise control can be achieved. In addition, GaN enables high-speed switching, which can reduce audible noise, which is especially important for appliances such as ceiling fans, heat pumps and refrigerators.

In addition to ease of use, ICeGaN offers several significant advantages over other GaN devices. ICeGaN's gate drive voltage is compatible with IGBTs. Because ICeGaN integrates a Miller clamp within the GaN IC, a negative turn-off voltage is not required and low-cost current drivers can be used. Finally, ICeGaN embeds current sensing, simplifying circuit design and reducing the bill of materials (BOM).

Reference designs are available now, and the EVK RD5556GaN will be available in Q3 of this year. The product will be demonstrated publicly for the first time at the PCIM show in Nuremberg, Germany, June 11-13, 2024. CGD's booth number is 7-643. Qorvo's booth number is 7-406.