(P11-5) GaN bidirectional switches: enabling the next generation of power conversion architectures

CoolGaN™ Bidirectional Switches (BDS) enable true bidirectional current conduction and voltage blocking within a single monolithic device, replacing conventional back-to-back switch implementations. Benefits like higher switching frequency, increased power density, reduced passive component size, and lower system cost through replacement of back-to-back switches drive the adoption of CoolGaN™ BDS in the market. The first high-volume market segment adopting the BDS device was solar microinverter. In the meantime, this architecture has proven its maturity. cycloconverter and other topologies are now being leveraged, also in higher power applications, such as servers and AI-data-centers, energy storage systems, onboard chargers, industrial power converters, and solid-state transformers.