Allegro MicroSystems a global leader in sensing and power semiconductor solutions for motion control and energy-efficient systems, had announced the completion of its previously-announced acquisition of Heyday Integrated Circuits (Heyday). Heyday is a privately held company specializing in a compact, fully integrated isolated gate drivers that enable energy conversion in high-voltage gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor designs.
This acquisition brings together Heyday’s isolated gate drivers and Allegro’s market-leading isolated current sensors to enable some of the smallest high-voltage and high-efficiency power systems available on the market today. Additionally, this acquisition is expected to increase Allegro’s addressable market for electric vehicles (xEV), solar inverters, data center and 5G power supplies, and broad-market industrial applications.
ELE Times Sub Editor Mayank Vashisht had an opportunity to connect with Vijay Mangtani, Vice President and General Manager, High Voltage Power, Allegro MicroSystems to talk about the Heyday acquisition in-depth and what this acquisition brings to the table for the industry as well as for the customers of Allegro Microsystems. Excerpts:
ELE Times: With the acquisition of Heyday Integrated circuits, what can the users and the customers of Allegro MicroSystems expect from here on?
With the acquisition of Heyday Integrated circuits, customers can expect access to the innovative technology solutions we’re building together. Heyday’s expertise in cutting-edge high-voltage gate drive solutions is an excellent complement to our existing solutions. This acquisition will allow us to offer higher voltage and higher power solutions while also providing our customers with a more complete solution for e-mobility and clean energy applications.
Our high-voltage gate drivers are available for customers to sample and will be on display at Electronica Munich this November.
ELE Times: Please tell our readers about your high-voltage gate drivers featuring Power-Thru Technology.
Our fully integrated isolated gate drivers featuring Power-Thru technology help address several key challenges faced when driving GaN, MOS, or SiC. Our self-powered devices provide a high-speed gate driver and isolated supply all in one package, integrate an EMI shield, and simplify EMC compliance.
Currently, our customers have to use a bulky isolated DC-DC isolated power supply that increases component count and solution size. Our integrated drivers unlock new levels of performance and efficiency and simplify designs.
Additionally, Our Power-Thru technology reduces the stray capacitance and associated power loss inherent in traditional designs. Traditional capacitive isolators result in higher transient leakage currents in high-frequency WBG power designs; our Power-Thru technology reduces that coupling capacitance and associated losses.
ELE Times: How will your latest high voltage gate drivers will enable energy conversion in high-voltage gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor designs?
Our isolated gate driver solutions use a single, small-footprint package that integrates an isolated gate driver, an isolated power supply, and associated passive components. This significantly reduces system design time and complexity and allows designers to take advantage of the total efficiency benefits that WBG switches provide.
It’s exciting to be able to offer our customers a solution for their GaN and SiC designs as they become increasingly popular across all markets.
Our highly integrated, small footprint solutions will allow customers to reduce the size and weight of their systems by fully utilizing WBG power devices’ capabilities – extending the driving range of vehicles and reducing emissions.
ELE Times: What are the new technologies and solutions your company is planning for the next 5 years down the line?
Over the coming years, we expect to see an expansion of our isolated gate drivers that will offer broader coverage of voltage and power ranges to help align our products with the ever-changing market demands.
As we build upon our technologies, we continue to focus on solutions for a broad range of e-mobility and clean energy applications. We’re really looking forward to advancing the industry with these innovative solutions.
ELE Times: How is the acquisition of Heyday Integrated circuits is going to be a game changer for the industry, as well as for Allegro Microsystems as well?
GaN and SiC wide bandgap systems are expected to grow significantly over the next decade. These High Voltage isolated gate drivers are fundamental in enabling technology for the future of high-efficiency power system designs. By coupling our engineering infrastructure, automotive expertise, and Heyday’s Power-Thru technology, we can accelerate product developments for higher efficiency solutions.
The existing product line acquired with Heyday will complement our solutions for energy efficiency. Additionally, it is expected to significantly expand our addressable market for electric vehicles (xEV), solar inverters, data center and 5G power supplies, and broad-market industrial applications.
Mayank Vashist | Sub Editor | ELE Times
