SOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, France – February 19, 2025 │ The dynamic field of Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology continues to transform the semiconductor industry with notable advancements in patent activities. GaN’s unique properties set it apart as a critical material for high-performance power and RF applications. Recent data showcases significant strides in intellectual property (IP) activities that underpin research and development (R&D) efforts in this domain. This article presents a comprehensive overview of recent trends and groundbreaking inventions in GaN technology, with a focus on patent activity and IP strategies. At KnowMade, we follow closely this burgeoning field with our GaN Patent Monitor.
Key Points Overview
Recent patent activities in GaN technology highlight its pivotal role in semiconductor innovation. Over the past period, more than 540 new GaN patent families have been published, demonstrating a vibrant landscape of inventive contributions. Furthermore, over 300 families have been granted, marking progress in securing IP rights specific to GaN innovation. Meanwhile, about 130 GaN-related patents have been abandoned or expired during the last quarter of 2024, including fundamental patents from key IP players for RF GaN such as Macom and Wolfspeed.
Ownership dynamics within the GaN sector are illustrated by 7 patent transfers, indicative of strategic realignments involving GaN technologies. Following several moves to acquire early vertical GaN device suppliers in the power GaN industry, numerous Nexgen Power Systems’ patents were reassigned to onsemi in the beginning of last year and several patent rights were transferred from Odyssey Semi to Power integrations later in 2024. The year closed with another deal between an historical IP player in the GaN electronics patent landscape, Fujitsu, and a key manufacturing partner for most incumbent GaN power device market players, TSMC. The deal thereby strengthens TSMC’s IP position in both RF and power GaN technologies.
Notably, 10 IP collaborations have emerged, highlighting collaborative efforts in GaN R&D. IP collaborations are driven by leading research organizations and governmental institutions this quarter, such as MIT and US Navy in USA. Legal landscapes reflect one IP litigation case closing in the United States, while there was no new patent opposition in the European domain. The identification of over 20 newcomers in the GaN industry emphasizes the growing interest, and comprehensive IP analyses were conducted on five leading GaN companies: Innoscience, Infineon, ROHM, TSMC, and ST.
Notable New Inventions
In the Wafers & Epiwafers segment, Bosch stands out with notable inventions to advance substrate technology for the growth of thick GaN epitaxial layers, either by applying amorphous layers to a conventional substrate such as Silicon or by using an engineered substrate incorporating a polycrystalline base that is different from poly-AlN or poly-SiC, unlike Shin Etsu, Soitec and Qromis for instance.
In the Devices segment, EPC‘s innovative GaN HEMT design features a multi-layer and multi-thickness barrier. This design gradually increases the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) density from the gate to the drain. By forming the gate on barrier layers of different thicknesses, a monolithic GaN power IC may be formed with GaN transistors having different threshold voltages, including d-mode and e-mode devices for example.
Within the Packaging & Modules segment, a collaboration between Denso, Mirise Technologies, and Toyota Motor aims to address critical thermal management challenges in GaN-based power devices by improving heat dissipation from a wiring board on which the semiconductor package is mounted. Overall, this quarter stands out with the patenting activity of several leading RF GaN companies such as Macom, Qorvo and Sumitomo Electric related to RF GaN packages and modules.
The Circuits & Applications segment confirms its dynamism with several key power GaN market players actively filing patents in this space during Q4 2024. It includes Navitas Semiconductor which disclosed new circuits and methods for gate overdrive in GaN power stages that are used in power converter circuits.
Evolving Marketing Strategies: Where IP Monitoring Makes Sense
As GaN technologies gain prominence, companies are tailoring their marketing strategies to highlight innovation and collaborative initiatives within this sector. Leveraging the unique advantages of GaN, firms aim to position themselves at the forefront of semiconductor advancements. Strategic partnerships and expansion of GaN patent portfolios offer competitive edges, which may further foster IP collaborations and transfers in coming years. Companies are also conducting market analyses to pinpoint emerging players and opportunities in niche GaN sectors. Furthermore, transparent communication regarding the technological benefits and applications of new GaN inventions reinforces trust and bolsters brand reputation amid the rapid evolution of the semiconductor market. By aligning with these strategies, companies seek to enhance their presence in the GaN technology arena, harnessing its transformative potential in a rapidly shifting landscape.
This is where our GaN patent monitoring service demonstrates its full potential for GaN companies. Our experts highlight key advancements, revealing the companies that make a difference through their patent situation, so you can stay abreast of your technological ecosystem.
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About KnowMade
KnowMade is a Technology Intelligence and IP Strategy consulting company specialized in analysis of patents and scientific information. The company helps innovative companies and R&D organizations to understand their competitive landscape, follow technology trends, and find out opportunities and threats in terms of technology and patents.
KnowMade’s analysts combine their strong technology expertise and in-depth knowledge of patents with powerful analytics tools and methodologies to turn patents and scientific information into business-oriented report for decision makers working in R&D, Innovation Strategy, Intellectual Property, and Marketing. Our experts provide prior art search, patent landscape analysis, scientific literature analysis, patent valuation, IP due diligence and freedom-to-operate analysis. In parallel the company proposes litigation/licensing support, technology scouting and IP/technology watch service.
KnowMade has a solid expertise in Compound Semiconductors, Power Electronics, Batteries, RF Technologies & Wireless Communications, Solid-State Lighting & Display, Photonics, Memories, MEMS & Solid-State Sensors/Actuators, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Packaging & Assembly, Medical Devices, Medical Imaging, Microfluidics, Biotechnology, Pharmaceutics, and Agri-Food.