A GaN-on-Si-based logic, driver and DC-DC converter circuit with closed-loop peak current-mode control

This work presents an entirely GaN-implemented DC-DC converter circuit with closed-loop peak current-mode control. The circuit combines logic inverter, level-shifter, differential amplifier, comparator, NOR gate, RS flip-flop, power transistor with integrated gate driver, and power diode, all based on a d-mode GaN-on-Si technology. A prototype converter (200-to-100 V, 500 kHz, 100 W, 97% efficiency) was designed and characterized. The GaN-based control circuit requires only 0.5% active chip area compared to the GaN-based driver and power devices. Thus, the work demonstrates that the addition of basic logic circuits in GaN power ICs enables a high gain in functionality at negligible additional area requirement.