Project description
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.
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 (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been validated by the project's team.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- social sciences social geography transport navigation systems satellite navigation system global navigation satellite system
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry post-transition metals
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry metalloids
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.4 - Digital, Industry and Space
MAIN PROGRAMME
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HORIZON.2.4.10 - Space, including Earth Observation
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2021-SPACE-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28500 Arganda del Rey
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.