Project description DEENESFRITPL Eliminating Europe’s shortage in GaN transistors for space missions Power transistors are used in power supplies, which are a fundamental part of spacecraft electrical systems. Gallium nitride (GaN) transistors are an ideal choice for spacecraft power supplies and mission equipment owing to the material’s high breakdown strength, fast switching speed and high thermal conductivity. Furthermore, GaN transistors allow reductions in power consumption and in the equipment masses. Europe’s shortage in such types of transistors is likely to become more critical as reliance on external suppliers continues to grow. The EU-funded SAGAN project seeks to establish an independent supply chain for GaN transistors covering the design, manufacturing, processing and qualification testing. The transistors will be tested to assess radiation effects, thermal dynamics, structural behaviour and reliability. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective The SAGAN proposal addresses a crucial element in future satellite platforms and payloads. Spacecraft Electrical Power Systems (EPS) are a key element that enable space missions. Without an efficient EPS, many of the capabilities that we take today for granted, such as high-speed communications, GNSS and science payloads, would not be possible.Power transistors are key elements of the electrical units that form the EPS and other systems, since they allow the most efficient (in terms of power and mass) electrical power processing topologies. During the last decade, several technological advancements have enabled a new type of transistors based on Gallium Nitride over Silicon. GaN transistors allow a reduction in mass of the equipment that uses them and a reduction in power consumption.Currently, Europe does not have the capabilities to produce GaN transistors for space unless relying on external countries for most of the supply chain, which is something that cannot be taken for granted. The objective of the SAGAN proposal is to overcome this situation by establishing a non-dependent supply chain (design, manufacturing, processing, and qualification testing) for GaN transistors that are suitable for space applications. The transistors will be tested to assess radiation effects, thermal dynamics, structural behaviour, reliaability... To achieve it, a strong consortium has been established. It is composed by organisations that have the knowleadge and the facilities to fulfil the objective. The consortium is composed of a company devoted to space level GaN transistors and integrated circuit design (SEMI ZABALA), a research foundry (IMEC), a company that processes wafers to the standards required by the technology (DISCO HI-TEC) and a satellite equipment manufacturer with component packaging capabilities (SENER). The consortium also counts with the role of GaN transistor end user, which is played by SENER as spacecraft equipment manufacturer. Fields of science engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringastronautical engineeringspacecraftsocial sciencessocial geographytransportnavigation systemssatellite navigation systemglobal navigation satellite systemnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrypost-transition metalsnatural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrymetalloids Programme(s) HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space Main Programme HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation Topic(s) HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01-81 - Space technologies for European non-dependence and competitiveness Call for proposal HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme RIA - Research and Innovation action Coordinator SENER TAFS SAU Net EU contribution € 610 856,25 Address Carretera de campo real km 2, 100 28500 Arganda dey rey Spain See on map Region Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 Participants (3) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all INTERUNIVERSITAIR MICRO-ELECTRONICA CENTRUM Belgium Net EU contribution € 695 638,75 Address Kapeldreef 75 3001 Heverlee See on map Region Vlaams Gewest Prov. Vlaams-Brabant Arr. Leuven Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 SEMI ZABALA SL Spain Net EU contribution € 1 068 378,75 Address Avda de la libertad, 17, 2a planta donostia/san sebastian 20004 Donostia/san sebastian See on map Region Noreste País Vasco Gipuzkoa Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00 DISCO HI-TEC EUROPE GMBH Germany Net EU contribution € 23 750,00 Address Liebigstrasse 8 85551 Kirchheim See on map Region Bayern Oberbayern München, Landkreis Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Other funding € 0,00
