Power Electronics: Contributions of GaN and SiC

Free training for eligible companies* as part of the ASTEERICS project (funded by EU and French grants).

Attendance at the 0.5-day hybrid training session is mandatory.

*SMEs as defined by the EU (fewer than 250 employees and annual turnover < €50 million, or total balance sheet < €43 million).

The customer satisfaction rating is 86% across all 23 training courses delivered by the Smart Power cluster in 2025.

Goals

  • Learn to read and understand component datasheets
  • Understand the implications of GaN and SiC components
  • Explore key topologies—such as buck, boost, and inverters—and converters, including LLC-type DC/DC converters
  • Gain the ability to specify a power converter and determine the necessary component and architectural requirements

Course details:
The morning of the first day will follow a hybrid format (in-person and remote), designed to introduce participants to the benefits of GaN and SiC technologies and help them master the fundamentals required for power electronics projects. Click here for further details.

Prerequisites

  • Basic knowledge of electronics (use of capacitors and transistors)
  • Complete the “Benefits of GaN and SiC Technologies” training course.
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Speakers

AXID SYSTEM

High-level experts in power electronics

An electronics engineer and head of a design firm specializing in power electronics, he possesses over 20 years of experience in designing innovative electronic systems and control units for energy applications. His expertise spans the development of solutions for demanding sectors—such as automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, defense, and photovoltaics—and includes deep proficiency in power system architecture and integration.

Means

Teaching resources

  • Workshops
  • Course materials
  • Case study
  • Participants are advised to bring a laptop (an internet connection will be provided).
  • Instructional support regarding the course will be provided by the trainer for one month following the training.

Assessment methods

  • To understand the trainees’ expectations and existing knowledge, a pre-training questionnaire must be completed and returned to the Smart Power unit at least 7 days prior to the training.
  • To assess the training’s relevance to the trainees’ expectations—and as part of a continuous improvement process—an evaluation and satisfaction questionnaire must be completed and returned to the Smart Power unit following the training.

Program

  • Day 1 – GaN and SiC: Understanding the technologies and analyzing power converters

    Morning Session: Hybrid Format (optional)
    Understand the key aspects of GaN and SiC components and discover the application sectors and main topologies that benefit from them.

    Lunch break – (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)

    Module 1: Reverse engineering workshop – exploring power components – (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM)

    • PC power supply
    • DC/DC converter
    • GaN Buck converter
    • Any product brought by participants will be analyzed.

  • Day 2 - Design and analysis of power architectures

    Module 2: Topologies – (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)
    Review of basic topologies (buck, boost, inverter, DAB, LLC, etc.)
    Transistor packages (miniature GaN/SiC, D2PAK, TO-247, modules, etc.) and thermal calculations
    Cutting-edge SiC- and GaN-based topologies (automotive OBC)

    Lunch break – (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)

    Module 3: Power component datasheet analysis workshop – (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM)

    • Power transistor datasheets (MOSFET, GaN, SiC)
    • Capacitor datasheets and understanding technologies based on switching frequencies (polypropylene, electrolytic, etc.)
    • Inductor datasheets

  • Day 3 – Mastering the integration of advanced converters

    Module 4: Specifics and challenges of power electronics (PCB, EMC) – (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM)

    • Real-time embedded firmware coding (high-resolution PWM, interrupts, DMA, ADC, etc.)
    • Power PCB design (high current, high voltage, high-performance dielectrics, clearance, creepage, heat extraction from small packages, EMC, etc.)
    • Challenges associated with SiC and GaN
    • Comparison of "hard-switching" and "soft-switching" topologies
    • EMC specifics in power electronics; case study of a multi-kW data center inverter incorporating three converters (AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC)
    • Example of a GaN buck converter
    • Brief introduction to standards applicable to power converters (safety, performance, EMC, environmental)

    Lunch break – (12:30 PM – 2:00 PM)

    Module 7: Comprehensive case study on the design of an LLC resonant DC-DC converter (isolated, soft-switching, high frequency, efficiency >98%) – (2:00 PM – 5:30 PM)

    • Explanation of how this "modern" topology works
    • Sizing steps (inductors, transistors, capacitors, transformer)
    • Switching frequency (up to 1 MHz possible!)
    • Routing details
    • Optimal switching cell, high-frequency parasitic inductances

Dates

From 20 to 22 October

Location

Tours

Duration

2,5 days

Rates*

Free for SMEs and startups
Member rate: €1,250 (excl. tax)
Non-member rate: €1,750 (excl. tax)

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Contact

Frédéric Cabas
Training Coordinator
+332 47 42 41 21
frederic.cabas@polesmartpower.fr

Dorothée Fox
Administrative and Financial Officer
+332 47 42 41 21
dorothee.fox@polesmartpower.fr