# How FIT is GaN?

- Show: [EE Times Current](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current)
- Published: 2023-07-13
- Length: 23m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan
- Listen: https://podcast.show/aspencore/episode/107422806/

## Summary

Doug Bailey, VP of Marketing and Applications Engineering at Power Integrations, explains how the company validated Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology for high-reliability applications by first deploying it in the high-volume charger market to gather real-world failure data. He details Power Integrations' decision to use depletion mode devices with cascode configurations to achieve lower costs and higher efficiency compared to enhancement mode alternatives, while also discussing the technical necessity of 750V and 900V variants for appliances and automotive systems. Bailey argues that GaN’s low parasitics allow for simpler power supply topologies, such as flyback converters at higher power levels, and predicts that GaN will eventually replace silicon in many applications due to its favorable energy processing costs.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=3) Introduction: Doug Bailey and Power Integrations
- [2:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=160) Validating GaN Reliability through Charger Market Deployment
- [5:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=323) GaN FIT Rate and Automotive Qualification
- [6:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=402) Voltage Requirements for Appliances and Automotive
- [10:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=603) Depletion Mode vs. Enhancement Mode GaN
- [13:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=787) GaN Cost Structure and Future vs. Silicon
- [15:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan#t=943) Simplifying Power Supply Topologies with GaN

## Topics

- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Power Integrations (company)
- GaN (other)
- Amborella (company)
- PCB Association (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [GaN Powers Up in AI, Robotics, and Our Lives](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2025-02-18-gan-powers-up-in-ai-robotics-and-our-lives) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Moore's Law, GaN and SiC devices - Gallimaufry GaN Gabble](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-09-20-moores-law-gan-and-sic-devices-gallimaufry-gan-gabble) (The Amp Hour)
- [Powering a Green Future: Insights from Infineon's Peter Wawer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-05-16-powering-a-green-future-insights-from-infineons-peter-wawer) (Moore's Lobby)
- [Inventing the Power MOSFET with Alex Lidow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2026-03-20-inventing-the-power-mosfet-with-alex-lidow) (The Amp Hour)
- [Bonkers Birthday Badinage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-18-bonkers-birthday-badinage) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2023-07-13-how-fit-is-gan. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to EE Times Current.