EPC Space introduces a new 60 V radiation-hardened (rad-hard) gallium nitride (GaN) transistor for power conversion solutions in critical spaceborne and other high reliability environments.

HAVERHILL, MA.— July 2021 — EPC Space announces the introduction of EPC7014UB, a 60 V radiation-hardened gallium nitride transistor that is lower in cost and is a more efficient solution than the nearest comparable radiation hardened (RH) silicon MOSFET. Utilizing GaN technology, the EPC7014UB outperforms RH silicon-based devices as it offers higher breakdown strength, faster switching speed, and lower on-resistance, than other RH power devices.

Lower resistance and gate charge enable faster power supply switching frequencies resulting in higher power densities, higher efficiencies, and more compact and lighter weight circuitry for critical spaceborne missions.

Applications benefiting from the performance of these products include power supplies for satellites and space mission equipment, light detection and ranging (lidar) for robotics and autonomous navigation and rendezvous docking, motor drives for robotics, instrumentation and reaction wheels, and ion thrusters for satellite orientation and positioning, as well as interplanetary propulsion of low-mass robotic vehicles. Additionally, the EPC7014UB can be used as a gate driver interface between CMOS or TTL control circuits and power devices in a radiation hardened environment.

The EPC7014UB, is a 60 V, 580 mΩ, 4 APulsed, rad-hard eGaN FET in an industry standard UB package. The EPC7014UB has a total dose rating greater than 1 Mrad and SEE immunity for LET of 85 MeV/(mg/cm2). These devices are also offered in a chip-scale package from EPC.

“GaN technology enables a new generation of power conversion and motor drives in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies, lower cost, and greater power densities than achievable with rad hard silicon” said Bel Lazar, CEO of EPC Space. “We are excited about this technology’s ability to provide mission-critical components for the space and other high-reliability markets”.

Price & Availability

500 units space level grade pricing starts at $160/each. Contact factory for availability and delivery.

About EPC Space

EPC Space provides revolutionary high-reliability radiation hardened enhancement-mode gallium nitride power management solutions for space and other harsh environments.

Radiation hardened GaN-based power devices address critical spaceborne environments for applications including power supplies, light detection and ranging (lidar), motor drive, and ion thrusters.

 eGaN is a registered trademark of Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, Inc.

Press Contact

Efficient Space: Renee Yawger, +1 908 619 9678 email: [email protected]

Spirit Electronics Podcast: What Can GaN Do in Space? Rad Hard Products and Applications

In this episode, EPC Space CEO Bel Lazar talks with Marti about the company’s product lines and applications, as well as the ability of GaN devices to withstand radiation and harsh environmental conditions in space.

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GaN in Space Applications

Gallium nitride power device technology enables a new generation of power converters in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies, and greater power densities than ever achievable before. GaN power devices can also exhibit superior radiation tolerance compared with Silicon MOSFETs depending upon their device design.

Power Electronics Europe
December, 2020
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Ceramic Die Adapters EPC Space

Rad Hard GaN discrete devices on adaptors are optimized to speed the time-to-market for critical applications in the high reliability or commercial satellite space environments.

HAVERHILL, MA.— October 2020 — EPC Space announced a family of Rad Hard enhancement mode power transistors on ceramic adaptors spanning a range of 40 Volts to 300 Volts, and 4 Amperes to 30 Amperes. These products demonstrate significant performance advantages over competitive silicon-based Rad Hard power MOSFETs. The lower resistance and gate charge enable faster power supply switching frequencies resulting in higher power densities, higher efficiencies and more compact and lighter weight circuitry for critical spaceborne missions.

The die adaptor series provides easy printed circuit board (PCB) mounting for ‘plug and play’ functionality allowing designers to speed the time-to-market for critical applications using Rad Hard GaN transistors. Applications benefiting from the performance and fast deployment of these products include power supplies for satellites and mission equipment, light detection and ranging (lidar) for robotics and autonomous navigation and rendezvous docking, motor drives for robotics and instrumentation, and ion thrusters for satellite orientation and positioning as well as interplanetary propulsion of low-mass robotic vehicles.

“Beyond the superior performance, proven reliability, and ease of design, these devices offer superior radiation hardness under heavy ions (SEE) and gamma radiation (TID),” said Bel Lazar, CEO.

About EPC Space

EPC Space provides revolutionary high-reliability radiation hardened enhancement-mode gallium nitride power management solutions for space and other harsh environments.

Radiation hardened GaN-based power devices address critical spaceborne environments for applications including power supplies, light detection and ranging (lidar), motor drive, and ion thrusters.

Press Contact

Efficient Power Conversion: Renee Yawger tel: 908.475.5702 email: [email protected]

Rad Hard GaN drivers optimized to drive Rad Hard GaN transistors and specifically designed for critical applications in the high reliability or commercial satellite space environments.

HAVERHILL, MA.— October 2020 — EPC Space announced a family of Rad Hard enhancement mode GaN drivers and power stages. Rad Hard GaN drivers are optimized to drive Rad Hard GaN transistors in critical spaceborne systems.  Rad Hard power stages integrate a high-speed gate drive circuit with power switches to provide a complete power stage in a tiny footprint for smaller, lower weight systems. 

The Drivers and Power Stages product line includes ultra-fast low-side eGaN drivers, ultra-fast dual low-side eGaN drivers, and half bridge drivers with integrated eGaN power switches.  These devices are ideal for high speed DC-DC conversion, synchronous rectification, commercial satellite electrical power systems (EPS) and avionics, and multi-phase motor drives. As an example, thousands of these devices are currently flying in orbit as motor drivers for satellite reaction wheels.

Beyond the performance improvement inherent from using GaN-based devices, these products offer superior radiation hardness under heavy ions (SEE) and gamma radiation (TID).  EPC Space devices are manufactured in an AS9100D certified facility in the greater Boston area.

“These devices provide engineers with a higher performance, modular solution with guaranteed electrical, thermal, and radiation performance,” said Max Zafrani, Chief Technology Officer. “In addition to very high efficiencies and extremely low parts count, operation above 1 MHz enables smaller magnetics for smaller, lower weight designs and an extremely cost competitive solution”

About EPC Space

EPC Space provides revolutionary high-reliability radiation hardened enhancement-mode gallium nitride power management solutions for space and other harsh environments.

Radiation hardened GaN-based power devices address critical spaceborne environments for applications including power supplies, light detection and ranging (lidar), motor drive, and ion thrusters.

Press Contact

Efficient Power Conversion: Renee Yawger tel: 908.475.5702 email: [email protected]

40 V -300 V Rad Hardened

Rad Hard GaN discrete devices specifically designed for critical applications in the high reliability or commercial satellite space environments now available.

HAVERHILL, MA.— September 2020 — EPC Space announced a family of Rad Hard enhancement mode power transistors spanning a range of 40 Volts to 300 Volts, and 4 Amperes to 30 Amperes. These power transistors demonstrate significant performance advantages over competitive silicon-based Rad Hard power MOSFETs. EPC Space technology produces devices that are smaller, have lower resistance, and have many times superior switching performance compared to silicon solutions. 

Critical spaceborne applications that benefit from this newly available performance include power supplies for satellites and mission equipment, light detection and ranging (lidar) for robotics and autonomous navigation and rendezvous docking, motor drives for robotics and instrumentation, and ion thrusters for satellite orientation and positioning as well as interplanetary propulsion of low-mass robotic vehicles.

Beyond the performance improvement, these devices offer superior radiation hardness under heavy ions (SEE) and gamma radiation (TID).  SEE immunity is guaranteed at the wafer level and EPC Space devices are manufactured in an AS9100D certified facility in the greater Boston area.

“EPC Space is excited to bring the tremendous performance and reliability of GaN technology to the markets of defense and aerospace,” said Bel Lazar, CEO. “We are able to offer designers a superior technology with significant space heritage as thousands of our Rad Hard GaN devices have been in orbit since January of 2019.”

About EPC Space

EPC Space provides revolutionary high-reliability radiation hardened enhancement-mode gallium nitride power management solutions for space and other harsh environments.

Radiation hardened GaN-based power devices address critical spaceborne environments for applications including power supplies, light detection and ranging (lidar), motor drive, and ion thrusters.

Press Contact

Efficient Power Conversion: Renee Yawger tel: 908.475.5702 email: [email protected]

GaN in Space Missions

GaN power transistors are an ideal choice for power and RF applications to support extreme space missions. Through its new eGaN® solutions, EPC Space guarantees radiation hardness performance and SEE (single-event effects) immunity, with devices that are specifically designed for critical applications in commercial satellite space. These devices have exceptionally high electron mobility and a low-temperature coefficient with very low RDS(on) values.

EETimes
July, 2020
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Radiation Performance of Enhancement-Mode Gallium Nitride

Enhancement-mode gallium nitride (eGaN®) technology enables a new generation of power converters in space operating at higher frequencies, higher efficiencies, and greater power densities than ever achievable before. eGaN devices also exhibit superior radiation tolerance compared with silicon MOSFETs.

Bodo’s Power Systems
June, 2020
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GaN in Space Podcast

EPC has teamed up with VPT, Inc. to form “EPC Space,” and according to early PR, its mission is “designing and manufacturing radiation-hardened GaN-on silicon transistors and ICs packaged, tested, and qualified for satellite and high-reliability applications.” In this PSDCast, Jason Lomberg interviews EPC Space CEO, Bel Lazar, on the new venture.

Power Systems Design PSDCast
June 16, 2020
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The space-qualified GaN power transistors, driver ICs and modules of Freebird Semiconductor will now be available from EPC Space, a new company which includes Freebird and its assets, and is a joint-venture between GaN power transistor maker EPC and high-rel power supply company VPT.

Electronics Weekly
June 16,2020
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