The first type of semiconductor, which uses silicon and germanium materials, has been shining brightly in logic chips for 30 years. The second type, represented by gallium arsenide (GaAs) and indium phosphide (InP), is used in mobile phone and base station power amplifiers. The third type of semiconductors, silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), have found niche markets in 5G, LiDAR electric vehicles, satellite communication power amplifiers and wind power control systems in recent years.

IDM New Technology has GaN component design and manufacturing capabilities, and has launched a variety of GaN power ICs, which are the "only" in the Asian industry to use sapphire substrates and LED processes. They have won the favor of the world's three major LED groups, two of which have already placed orders. CEO Lin Shiguo said that GaN has wide energy gap, high voltage driving and high temperature resistance. It can be used to manufacture various power components using sapphire substrates, and radio frequency components can be manufactured using silicon carbide substrates.

iNIFINITYrf is in line with first-tier manufacturers such as Huawei, Ericsson and Nokia, and is actively catching up. It owns a 4-inch wafer foundry, wellywave, which can produce GaN on SiC RF components and GaN on Si and GaN on Sapphire power components. For Wifi 7 and 5G small base stations, low-orbit satellites and millimeter-wave 28G radio frequencies that use GaAs processes, we cooperate with Wenzhou.

Taiwan has recently been actively deploying and developing low-orbit satellites and direct communication networks for mobile phones and laptops. iNIFINITYrf has completed the design of radio frequency components and launched products. It will cooperate with relevant industries to contribute to Taiwan's satellite communications. Lin Shiguo said that as for the X band PA used in military radars, it uses the GaN on SiC process and is more technologically advanced. Edaton has also completed the design and entered the production stage, which can also add strength to national defense.

Based on the long-term development plan of integrating upstream and downstream, iNIFINITYrf will start to expand the production line and develop towards large size, and does not rule out cooperation with LED packaging manufacturers. Lin Shiguo analyzed that the transformation towards GaN and the third type of semiconductor is a new blue ocean for the traditional LED industry, and Everlight is a model of successful transformation.

The GaN market is taking off and exuding great charm. The power component market will be worth US$180 million in 2022 and will grow to US$2 billion in 2028. The competition between old and new players has also attracted more industry investment, hoping to get ahead on the same starting point. Mergers and acquisitions and patent wars in the industry have also followed. Infineon successfully acquired GaN Systems in October this year, and the American EPC sued Innosec. Transphorm and Weltrend Electronics collaborate to release integrated GaN system-in-package for USB-C PD adapters and other low-power products.

5W/10W/20W/40W/50W GaN on SiC HEMT。易達通/提供

650V GaN on Silicon Power Transistor。易達通/提供

Semiconductor champion TSMC has invested in 6-inch GaN foundry, and China is devoting all its efforts to development. Innosec has gained cost advantages with 8-inch production and swept the low-power market. iNIFINITYrf uses LED processes combined with GaN on Sapphire to enter the power component market above 65W. Compare it with Innosec.

iNIFINITYrf's layout for GaN power supply applications starts with Power Adapter, which has launched 65/140 watt products, and 240/360 watts will be launched in the near future. Lin Shiguo reminded that in response to carbon reduction and ESG trends, the U.S. Department of Energy has issued new regulations that energy conversion efficiency must not be less than 90.2% starting from 2025. The market interprets it as an energy revolution, which is a big challenge to existing players. Europe currently requires suppliers to reach 92%, and Yidatong's GaN exceeds the standard and reaches 93%.