OREANDA-NEWS. Panasonic Corporation announced it has developed an all-integrated power converter that allows the power switches to be controlled by microwave signals. The world's first microwave-controlled power converter consists of an integrated matrix-converter power switching chip that directly converts AC power to AC of the desired frequency and amplitude, and a gate drive transmitter chip that controls the power switching chip. As a result, the new converter, which is one-hundredth of the size of conventional power converters, realizes reduction of conversion power loss.

Motor-driven equipment mostly uses power conversion systems with an inverter to save power. As those systems are composed of large-size discrete components, they cannot be installed in a compact system. The new ultra compact power converter consists of a GaN-based bi-directional power switching chip and a microwave gate drive transmitter chip, enabling to integrate a motor and its drive system. Further, it is maintenance-free because it does not require discrete components that can limit the life span of the system.

Panasonic's new power converter, which uses the company's own Drive-by-microwave(r) technology, has the following distinctive features:
- By integrating two types of chips, GaN bi-directional power switches and isolated gate drivers using a microwave wireless power transmission, the ultra-compact power converter is realized.
- In comparison with the conventional inverter-based AC-AC power conversion system, the new power converter achieves lower power conversion loss and longer life due to the absence of an electrolytic capacitor.

To achieve the new power converter, Panasonic has developed the following new technologies:
(1) Matrix converter technology with GaN bi-directional power switches.
(2) Drive-by-microwave(r) technology, which makes a power switch ON and OFF by a microwave wireless power transmission.
(3) Integration technology of GaN power device and microwave wireless power transmission circuit.

Conventional power converter systems using an inverter have close to 10% power conversion loss during the AC to DC conversion and the subsequent DC to AC conversion. The one-chip integration of the conventional isolated gate drivers for power switches' control has been impossible because the conventional driver uses a bulky isolated power supply and a photo-coupler.

For the new GaN matrix convertor technology, Panasonic holds 144 patents in Japan and 119 patents overseas including pending applications.