NVIDIA Drives GaN Adoption, Onsemi & GF Collaborate

According to recent reports, U.S.-based power semiconductor company Onsemi has signed a new collaboration with foundry GlobalFoundries (GF) to jointly develop and manufacture next-generation gallium nitride (GaN) power devices. The partnership will kick off with 650V devices, with sample availability expected in the first half of 2026. At the same time, STMicroelectronics has introduced GaN-based solutions tailored for server voltage conversion applications.

As AI data centers continue to drive growing power demands, power systems face the dual challenge of delivering high power density while maintaining low losses and high efficiency. NVIDIA has announced plans to implement 800V high-voltage DC (HVDC) architectures by 2025, accelerating the adoption of third-generation GaN semiconductors in data center environments and beyond.

GaN technology offers three key advantages. First, its higher switching frequency enables designers to reduce component count, shrink system size, lower costs, and improve both energy efficiency and thermal performance. Second, its bidirectional conduction capability supports innovative topologies, potentially replacing up to four conventional unidirectional transistors, simplifying designs and cutting costs. Third, integrating GaN FETs with drivers, controllers, isolation, and protection features in a single package shortens development cycles and reduces electromagnetic interference.

Onsemi highlighted that its collaboration with GlobalFoundries combines GF's 200mm enhanced silicon-based GaN (eMode GaN-on-silicon) process with Onsemi's advanced silicon-based drivers, controllers, and enhanced thermal packaging. The partnership aims to deliver compact, high-efficiency optimized power systems for AI data centers, automotive, industrial, and aerospace applications.

Meanwhile, STMicroelectronics recently unveiled a GaN-based server power management solution, collaborating with NVIDIA to develop a 12 kW DC-DC conversion board (800V to 50V) using GaN technology and STM32 microcontroller (MCU) solutions. This approach further promotes GaN adoption in data center power systems.

Other industry players such as Infineon, Navitas, Texas Instruments, Rohm, and Innoscience are also advancing GaN technology through collaborations with NVIDIA, strengthening their positions in the evolving semiconductor ecosystem.