GaN Adoption Set to Expand in 2025: Power Integrations Leads the Way

Power Integrations

The future of gallium nitride (GaN) technology looks promising, as Power Integrations anticipates a major surge in its adoption by 2025. The U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturer expects its GaN-based products to grow significantly, not just in the smartphone charger market but across various other industries, including consumer electronics, telecommunications, data centers, and electric vehicles (EVs).

Power Integrations Growth in GaN Technology

Power Integrations predicts that by the end of this year, revenues from GaN-based products will make up over 10% of the company’s total sales. The company's expansion into GaN technology is evident, with new partnerships and contracts being signed across the globe. In India, Power Integrations has already supplied GaN products to a 5G telecom customer, replacing their previous silicon-based solutions. Additionally, metering customers in India are upgrading to GaN products, driven by the need for improved performance amidst the country's variable electricity grid voltages.

GaN's Role in the AI and EV Markets

As Power Integrations explores new opportunities for GaN, a significant focus is on the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The company sees substantial potential in the AI data center market, with high-power GaN products gaining traction. However, there are technical challenges that need to be overcome. GaN technology, particularly for high-power applications, has been limited by design constraints when compared to silicon carbide (SiC). Nevertheless, Power Integrations is optimistic about GaN’s future, especially as it moves towards vertical GaN designs, which are expected to outperform SiC in both performance and cost.

Looking toward the electric vehicle market, Power Integrations believes that GaN could significantly reduce the cost of EV drivetrains compared to traditional silicon carbide technology. With the release of their new 1,700V GaN switch for EV chargers, the company is positioning itself as a leader in power electronics for the EV market. Balakrishnan, the CEO, emphasizes that high-power GaN technology will likely be market-ready in the next three to five years.