How The Defense Industry Is Using GaN Technology
By John Oncea, Editor
GaN technology is playing a crucial role in helping industries innovate and grow, including defense. Learn how the defense industry is using gallium nitride today, as well as some potential future uses of it.
What do you get when you combine 31 and 7? Gallium nitride (GaN) – a wide bandgap semiconductor material with a hard, hexagonal crystal structure. At least, that’s the answer if you’re talking about atomic numbers, which we are.
GaN, according to Qorvo, “Stands out thanks to its high-current, high-voltage capabilities that enable it to be versatile enough for a wide range of demanding applications. Its unique material properties make it the new go-to technology in everything from 5G communications to automotive, lighting, radar, satellites, and more.”
Part of “and more” is the defense industry, in which GaN has become a game-changing force and is transforming the capabilities of military systems. GaN technology has played a key role in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of defense operations, from advanced radar systems to communication systems.
What Is GaN Technology
GaN was first recognized as a potential high-power and high-frequency semiconductor transistor-based material in the early 1990s, according to Qorvo, which adds, “By the mid to late 2000s, GaN had made its way into production applications for defense and aerospace and commercially in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for solid-state lighting.
“Since then, GaN has seen increased acceptance in radio frequency (RF) electronics and widespread adoption in commercial wireless applications, including 5G. RF adoption has been aided by GaN material advances that enable the creation of superior high-power-density, high-efficiency RF amplifiers.”
The reason for GaN’s popularity is “its ability to offer significantly improved performance across a wide range of applications while reducing the energy and the physical space needed to deliver that performance when compared with conventional silicon technologies,” writes Navitas Semiconductor. “In some applications where silicon as a power conversion platform has hit its physical limits, gallium nitride technologies are becoming essential, while in others the benefits of efficiency, switching speed, size, and high-temperature operation combine to make GaN increasingly attractive.”
GaN is being used in many commercial applications like wireless infrastructure and CATV, but it made its debut many years ago in military and aerospace applications, notes Qorvo. While its growth will be driven by innovative applications in data centers, automobiles, wireless charging, and medicine, its demand for use in military radar, electronic warfare, and communication systems remains GaN’s growth driver now.
GaN And The Defense Industry
GaN technology is valued by the defense industry because of its superior performance characteristics, including high power density, efficiency, and reliability. For starters, it is pivotal in enhancing radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems notes Military Embedded Systems. GaN-based components are used in Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars and other high-power applications due to their ability to deliver high output power, efficiency, and wide bandwidth. These characteristics make GaN ideal for next-generation radar and EW systems, which require reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP).
GaN is also used in military communication systems to improve performance and reliability. It is employed in multi-chip modules for high-frequency applications, enabling efficient navigation and real-time air traffic control. GaN’s ability to operate at higher frequencies makes it suitable for military jammers and terrestrial radios.
GaN technology, according to Efficient Power Conversion Corporation, is advantageous for power management in defense applications. It offers higher power density and better thermal management, which is crucial for systems operating in harsh environments. For instance, GaN power amplifiers are replacing traditional traveling wave tubes (TWTs) in space applications due to their higher reliability and efficiency.
More specifically, GaN technology is used in motor drives for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other propulsion systems. These applications benefit from GaN’s high power density and efficiency, which contribute to more precise control and rugged reliability. It is also employed in wireless power applications, such as charging UAVs, field hospitals, and portable equipment. This enhances operational flexibility and reduces maintenance requirements, contributing to mission success and efficiency.
Future Uses Of GaN By The Defense Industry
Researchers are working on new ways for the defense industry to take advantage of the many benefits GaN has to offer to advance defense applications, particularly in the areas of radio frequency sensors, power electronics, and radar systems. This includes a joint project between RTX (Raytheon) and DARPA aiming to produce GaN transistors with 16 times higher output power without increasing operating temperature.
This potential breakthrough involves integrating diamond, the world’s best thermal conductor, with military-grade GaN transistors and circuits. The improved GaN transistors developed by RTX and DARPA will result in sensors with enhanced range, which is crucial for defense applications like radar systems.
Additional future GaN-related improvements the defense industry is zeroing in on include:
- Higher Power Density and Efficiency: GaN technology enables aerospace and defense equipment to operate with greater performance, reliability, and efficiency. This is particularly important for applications such as DC-DC conversion, LiDAR systems, motor drives, and wireless power in harsh environments.
- Wide Adoption in Defense Systems: GaN is increasingly used in various defense systems, including Patriot missiles, LTAMDS/GhostEye family of radars, APG-79(v)4, and SPY-6 radars.
- Strategic Importance: The U.S. government recognizes GaN as a strategically important technology for maintaining a competitive edge in areas like 5G and 6G infrastructure, LEDs, and defense electronics. GaN’s ability to operate at higher voltages, frequencies, and temperatures makes it essential for advanced radar systems and other critical defense applications.
These developments in GaN technology are crucial for the defense sector, as they enable more powerful, efficient, and capable electronic systems for military applications. The U.S. is actively investing in and developing GaN capabilities to maintain technological superiority in defense and secure strategic advantages in this critical semiconductor technology.