What are the difference between Direct drive D-mode GaN Transistors and eGaN Transistors?

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Editorial Team - everything PE

Mar 14, 2023

The main difference between Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors and eGaN transistors is their operating mode. Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors operate in depletion mode, which means they require a negative voltage at the gate to turn them off, while eGaN transistors operate in enhancement mode, which means they require a positive voltage at the gate to turn them on. This difference affects their gate drive requirements, power handling capability, and ease of use in different applications.

Another difference between Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors and eGaN transistors is their fabrication process. Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors are fabricated using a process that involves etching trenches in the device structure to create the gate region, while eGaN transistors are fabricated using a process that involves depositing a layer of metal on top of the device structure to create the gate region. This difference affects the size, complexity, and cost of manufacturing the transistors.

In terms of performance, both Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors and eGaN transistors offer high switching speed, high-frequency operation, and high efficiency. However, Direct drive D-mode GaN transistors have lower gate charge and output capacitance, which makes them suitable for high-frequency and high-power applications. eGaN transistors, on the other hand, have higher output capacitance, which makes them suitable for applications that require high voltage swings and high output currents.

The above differences can be summarized in the table below:

Parameters

Direct drive D-mode GaN Transistors

eGaN Transistors

Operation Mode

Depletion-mode

Enhancement-mode

Voltage Range

High Voltage of over 650 V

Low Voltage of less than 200 V

Switching Speed

Fast

Fast

Switching Losses

Lower

Higher

Efficiency

Higher

Lower

Cost

Higher

Lower

Application

High-power applications such as motor drives, power supplies, and inverters

High-frequency applications such as power amplifiers, RF switches, and wireless communication systems

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