VisIC Technologies and AVL are advancing their collaboration with the integration of VisIC's D³GaN power module technology into AVL's vehicle demonstrator. The demonstrator vehicle showcases VisIC D³GaN power modules in an advanced AVL electric drivetrain, taking high-power GaN from test bench validation to a complete vehicle environment. The same D³GaN platform extends to power AI data centers and physical AI applications that benefit from high efficiency, compact size and reliability.
The vehicle provides a real-world development platform for evaluating next-generation electric propulsion technologies and demonstrates high-power GaN in the traction inverter. The demonstrator combines a high-speed e-axle, advanced power electronics and vehicle control technologies, with a GaN traction inverter using VisIC power modules. The overall project brings together technology from AVL, NXP Semiconductors and VisIC Technologies.
The program moves VisIC's D³GaN technology from laboratory and dynamometer testing into a fully operational vehicle platform.
From Test Bench Results to Vehicle Integration
The demonstrator builds on collaboration between AVL and VisIC Technologies that started in 2024. In earlier Dyno WLTC testing at AVL facilities in Germany, an inverter based on VisIC's GaN-on-Silicon D³GaN technology achieved 99.67% efficiency at 10 kHz and more than 99.8% at 5 kHz on AVL's e-motor test bench. The companies reported an improvement compared with comparable SiC inverters and a reduction of inverter energy losses of more than 60% under the tested conditions.
The inverter development used VisIC's D³GaN technology, NXP driver, AVL's PI850e Inverter Development Platform and AVL control software.
Integration into the vehicle demonstrator enables the technology to be evaluated within a complete electric drivetrain environment and illustrates how efficiency advantages of GaN can translate from semiconductor and inverter performance into vehicle-level benefits.
GaN in Traction Inverter Applications
EV traction inverters operate across a wide range of speed, torque and load conditions. VisIC's D³GaN technology is designed to combine low switching and conduction losses with high power density for high-power automotive applications.
The benefits can be particularly important during partial-load operation where reducing switching losses can improve inverter efficiency and reduce cooling requirements. Current 400V battery technology is especially attractive for PHEV and range-extended HEV cars. At vehicle level, this creates the potential for a more compact power-electronics system, improved drivetrain efficiency and increased driving range.
The AVL demonstrator illustrates how GaN technology can operate as part of a complete high-performance EV drivetrain.
Extension to AI Data Centers and Physical AI
Evaluated in the automotive environment, VisIC's D³GaN platform delivers the efficiency, power density and reliability required for next-generation power conversion. These capabilities make the platform a fit for AIDC infrastructure, where AI workloads require compact, highly efficient and scalable power supplies with lower energy losses and reduced cooling demand.
The platform is also suited to physical AI applications—including robotics, autonomous systems and intelligent industrial equipment—where power electronics must combine fast dynamic response, high efficiency, compact size and dependable operation under demanding conditions. Automotive validation provides a foundation for deploying D³GaN across the emerging AI power ecosystem.
“Bringing D³GaN from the test bench into a fully operational vehicle is an important milestone for high-power GaN,” said Tamara Baksht, VisIC Technologies' CEO. “The AVL demonstrator shows that GaN is no longer limited to discussing future potential. We can demonstrate the technology in the traction inverter of a real electric vehicle and show automotive manufacturers what higher efficiency, lower losses and higher power density can mean at system level.”
“Integrating a GaN traction inverter into a vehicle demonstrator is an important step in understanding the opportunities and challenges of bringing this technology into future automotive applications,” said Mathias Deiml, Technical Lead GaN Inverter Development, AVL Software and Functions. “The project combines semiconductor innovation with system-level development expertise and allows to push forward the state of the art regarding efficiency and advanced functionality.”
“This project demonstrates how strong collaboration can accelerate the development of emerging technologies for e-mobility,” said Dr. Thomas Frey, Head of Segment E-Mobility & E-Drive System, AVL Software and Functions. “By combining VisIC's semiconductor expertise with AVL's capabilities in inverter development and vehicle integration, we have established a platform for assessing the future potential of GaN technology in electric powertrains.”
Plans for 800V GaN
The collaboration between AVL and VisIC Technologies is also intended to support the development of scalable GaN solutions for future EV architectures. The companies previously announced plans to extend the GaN-on-Silicon platform toward 800V GaN power modules, addressing the growing adoption of higher-voltage battery and drivetrain systems.
VisIC's GaN-on-Silicon approach provides a potential manufacturing scalability advantage because the technology can leverage established silicon semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure. The companies have previously highlighted compatibility with 200 mm and 300 mm silicon foundries as part of the technology's path toward high-volume production.
With the AVL vehicle demonstrator, the companies are taking another step toward bringing high-power GaN into electric propulsion, demonstrating that GaN has the potential to become a practical alternative for the next generation of EV traction inverters.
