The deal supports continued progress in developing high-voltage, high-power gallium nitride technology.
Power Integrations has announced its plan to acquire Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies, a company specializing in vertical gallium-nitride (GaN) transistor technology. This agreement, set to be finalized in July 2024, will see Odyssey Semiconductor Technologies’ assets integrated into Power Integrations, and key personnel from Odyssey are slated to join Power Integrations’ technology division.
This acquisition is part of the company’s strategic efforts to enhance its proprietary PowiGaN technology. PowiGaN is integral to various Power Integrations product families such as InnoSwitch ICs, HiperPFS-5 power-factor-correction ICs, and the InnoMux-2 family of ICs. Notably, the company launched 900- and 1250-volt versions of its PowiGaN technology and products in the previous year.
Dr. Radu Barsan, Vice President of Technology at Power Integrations, expressed the company’s commitment to advancing GaN technology, aiming to achieve cost parity with traditional silicon MOSFETs while enhancing voltage and power capabilities. “We aim to introduce a cost-effective, high-current, and high-voltage GaN technology that outperforms the current silicon carbide (SiC) solutions in power applications, offering lower costs and superior performance due to GaN’s inherent material advantages,” said Dr. Barsan. He also highlighted the anticipated contributions of the Odyssey team in accelerating these developments.
Dr. Richard Brown, Co-founder and CEO of Odyssey, also shared his enthusiasm about the integration. “Joining Power Integrations will accelerate the development of our GaN technology. Power Integrations is a pioneer in commercializing high-voltage GaN, continually pushing the boundaries in cost, voltage, and current levels, and developing comprehensive system-level products that leverage GaN’s full potential,” stated Dr. Brown.
This move is expected to fortify Power Integrations’ position as a leader in GaN technology innovation, enriching its product offerings and enhancing
