Vitesco boosts DC-DC converter design with CoolGaN
Vitesco Technologies has used gallium nitride transistors for its fifth generation automotive DC-DC converter.
The Vitesco Gen5+ DC-DC converter uses 650V CoolGan transistors from Infineon Technologies to achieve an efficiency of over 96% by increasing the switching frequency from 100kHz to 250kHz with an energy density of 4.2kW/l.
This enables very low switching losses, even in hard-switched half-bridges, with minimized thermal and overall system losses. The GaN devices have an ON-resistance (R DS(on)) of 50 mΩ, a transient drain-to-source voltage of 850 V, an I DS,max of 30 A, and an I DSmax,pulse of 60 A and are packaged in a top-cooled TOLT package. This allows air-cooled designs that eliminate the need for liquid cooling and reduce the overall system costs and energy density.
The 650 V devices also improve power efficiency and density, enabling an output of 800 V with a simplified converter design and mechanical integration.
Single GaN switches and half-bridges with integrated drivers
This is vital for the DC-DC converters that are used for 12 V power headlights, interior lights, wiper and window motors, fans, and at 48 V, pumps, steering drives, lighting systems, electrical heaters, and air conditioning compressors.
The DC-DC converter design is also important for developing more affordable and energy-efficient vehicles with an increasing number of low voltage functions. The smaller size allows the converters to be flexibly positioned in the vehicle.
According to TechInsights the global automotive DC-DC converter market size was valued at $4bn in 2023 and is projected to grow to $11bn by 2030, a compound growth of 15%.
“We are delighted to see Vitesco Technologies using our GaN devices and innovating with their applications,” said Johannes Schoiswohl, Senior Vice President & General Manager, GaN Systems Business Line Head at Infineon. “The ultimate value of GaN is demonstrated when it changes paradigms, as in this example of moving from a liquid-cooled system to an air-cooled system.”
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