India’s DRDO Develops Advanced GaN/SiC Technology for Defence and Clean Energy
The Solid State Physics Laboratory, part of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has successfully created indigenous methods for producing 4-inch Silicon Carbide (SiC) wafers and Gallium Nitride (GaN) High Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) up to 150W. These are used in Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMICs) up to 40W for X-band frequencies.
The Ministry of Defence highlights that GaN/SiC technology is crucial for next-generation applications in defence, aerospace, and clean energy. This technology enhances efficiency, reduces size and weight, and boosts performance, making it vital for future combat systems, RADARS, electronic warfare, and green energy solutions.
With increasing demand for compact power supplies in future combat systems, GaN/SiC technology is essential for communications, intelligence, reconnaissance, and unmanned systems in both military and commercial sectors, including electric vehicles and renewable energy.
GAETEC in Hyderabad has established limited production of indigenous GaN on SiC-based MMICs, which are used in strategic systems, space, aerospace, and 5G/satellite communications. This development is a significant step towards India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, promoting self-reliance in semiconductor technology.
Doubts Revealed
DRDO -: DRDO stands for Defence Research and Development Organisation. It is an agency of the Indian government responsible for developing technology for use by the military.
GaN/SiC -: GaN stands for Gallium Nitride and SiC stands for Silicon Carbide. These are materials used to make electronic devices that can handle high power and high frequency, which are important for advanced technology.
Solid State Physics Laboratory -: This is a research lab under DRDO in India that focuses on developing advanced materials and technologies for defence and other applications.
Silicon Carbide wafers -: Silicon Carbide wafers are thin slices of a material used to make electronic circuits. They are very strong and can work at high temperatures, making them useful for tough environments.
Gallium Nitride High Electron Mobility Transistors -: These are special types of transistors made from Gallium Nitride. They can switch on and off very quickly and handle a lot of power, which is useful for fast and powerful electronic devices.
Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits -: These are complex electronic circuits that work at microwave frequencies, which are used in radar and communication systems.
X-band frequencies -: X-band frequencies are a range of microwave radio frequencies used in radar and satellite communication. They are important for military and space applications.
GAETEC -: GAETEC is a facility in Hyderabad, India, that produces advanced electronic components like MMICs, helping India to make its own high-tech devices without relying on other countries.
self-reliance in semiconductor technology -: This means India is developing its own ability to make important electronic components, like semiconductors, without needing to import them from other countries. This is important for national security and technological independence.