Infineon Technologies AG and Enphase Energy have introduced what they describe as the first 900 V gallium nitride monolithic bidirectional switches for solid-state transformer power modules. The devices are being developed for deployment in Enphase’s SSTSolid-State TransformerAn SST is a transformer architecture built around power-electronic conversion rather than a purely passive magnetic component. platform and target power conversion for AIartificial intelligence data centers, where efficiency, power density and reliability are especially critical.
The new devices extend GaNgallium nitrideGaN is another material platform mentioned for use in different power delivery roles. operation into a 900 V class while retaining high-frequency switching behavior. Compared with conventional power switches, the monolithic bidirectional switch integrates voltage blocking and current conduction in one device, reducing the number of components in the power path and enabling simpler power stages. That architecture is designed to support compact power conversion systems with fewer converter stages and smaller magnetic components.
Infineon positions the 900 V CoolGaN BDS1. Brownian Dynamics SimulationComputational method or mathematical model for simulating, describing or optimizing technical systems.2. beam delivery system as an addition to the available solutions for SSTSolid-State TransformerAn SST is a transformer architecture built around power-electronic conversion rather than a purely passive magnetic component. architectures, alongside silicon carbide-based systems that are already used in high-voltage power conversion. The higher blocking voltage is intended to address higher system voltages and support the transition toward 800 V and future 1,500 VDC1. volts direct-currentElectrical quantity used to describe or test circuit operating behavior.2. volts direct currentVDC denotes a direct-current voltage level used for power distribution and conversion. power distribution architectures.
Enphase says the collaboration directly supports its IQ Solid-State Transformer for AIartificial intelligence data centers, where power density, efficiency and uptime affect the economics of each megawatt deployed. The same device technology is also expected to support commercial solar inverters by enabling three-phase, line-to-line designs for 480 V applications in the United States and 400 V applications in other regions, with fewer switches, lower losses and lower system cost.
The companies note that Enphase has already used GaNgallium nitrideGaN is another material platform mentioned for use in different power delivery roles. in its IQ9 Microinverters and has more than ten years of in-house research in GaNgallium nitrideGaN is another material platform mentioned for use in different power delivery roles.-based power conversion. The new 900 V devices have been tested successfully and are now being integrated into Enphase’s IQ SSTSolid-State TransformerAn SST is a transformer architecture built around power-electronic conversion rather than a purely passive magnetic component. development program, with production qualification expected to follow.