STMicroelectronics is expanding its Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based power semiconductor product family to meet the demand for small, high-efficiency power designs. The newly introduced 'MasterGaN6' is a half-bridge power IC that integrates power devices and drivers into a single package, targeting a range of applications from consumer chargers to industrial power supplies and solar power converters.

ST announced on the 18th the launch of MasterGaN6, the second-generation solution of the MasterGaN family. This product is a power System-in-Package (SiP) that combines a high-performance GaN power transistor providing an RDS(on) of 140 mΩ with an improved BCD driver.

Technically, the enhanced system control capabilities based on high integration density stand out. The MasterGaN6 features dedicated pins for fault indication and standby functions, and integrates LDOs and bootstrap diodes. This allows for driving performance to be maintained while reducing the number of external components. The driver, featuring short minimum on-time, propagation delay, and fast wake-up characteristics, is designed for high-frequency operation and helps reduce circuit area.

Protection features are also included. It enhances circuit stability by incorporating cross-conduction prevention, overheating cutoff, and undervoltage cutoff functions, and improved burst mode operation efficiency is also expected in low-load conditions. ST explained that this helps engineers lower component costs and reduce PCB size.

The application areas are relatively clear. MasterGaN6 can handle a maximum current of 10A and is designed for use in chargers and adapters, industrial lighting power supplies, and DC-AC solar microinverters. It can also be applied to various power conversion topologies, such as active clamp flybacks, resonant LLCs, reverse buck converters, and power factor correction circuits.

This product launch aligns with the trend of GaN power semiconductors expanding their scope of application in the high-efficiency, small-capacity power market. To support designers, ST also provides the EVLMG6 evaluation board and a model for the eDesignSuite PCB thermal simulator. The MasterGaN6 is produced in a 9mm x 9mm QFN package, with pricing starting at $4.14 per unit for orders of 1,000.