撼动SiC霸权？现代汽车入股VisIC，GaN“杀入”汽车逆变器

Core Viewpoint - The entry of VisIC, an Israeli GaN chip company, into the electric vehicle (EV) traction inverter market challenges the traditional division between SiC and GaN technologies, as it aims to leverage its D³GaN technology to compete directly with SiC in high-voltage applications [1][16]. Group 1: Technology and Performance - VisIC's D-mode GaN technology offers advantages in reliability, consistency, lower switching losses, and safety, making it suitable for EV traction inverters [2]. - D-mode GaN can achieve a decoupling of threshold voltage and current capability, allowing for high current and high threshold voltage combinations, which is critical for high-power applications [2]. - In extreme conditions, D³GaN can withstand short-circuit peak currents approximately 3.74 times the rated operating current, outperforming E-mode GaN and approaching traditional IGBT and SiC devices [5]. Group 2: Efficiency and Testing - VisIC's GaN prototype traction inverter has achieved a peak efficiency of 99.67% during testing, demonstrating stable performance across various operational conditions [6]. - In light-load conditions, GaN shows approximately 2.5 times lower total losses compared to SiC, indicating a significant energy efficiency advantage in real-world applications [9][11]. Group 3: Market Strategy and Localization - VisIC aims to establish a localized ecosystem in China, focusing on building partnerships across the supply chain, including wafer fabrication, packaging, and software development [14][15]. - The company prioritizes the EV traction inverter market due to existing customer relationships and supply chain foundations, while also exploring opportunities in data centers [14]. Group 4: Future Outlook - VisIC predicts a long-term coexistence of GaN and SiC technologies, with GaN expected to play a more significant role in low-power fast charging, data center power supply, and high-power systems over the next decade [12]. - The competition between GaN and SiC in the power semiconductor field is just beginning, with VisIC's advancements potentially reshaping the market landscape [16].