Signify Revolutionizes Lighting with Built-In Driver for Higher Power LED Bulbs with GaN Systems

Philips SON-T 17W and 26W LED bulbs feature a built-in GaN Systems-based driver, eliminating external power supply

Key Takeaways

  • Philips SON-T tubular 17W and 26W LED bulbs feature GaN Systems power transistors.
  • Bulbs feature a built-in GaN-based driver, eliminating the external power supply.
  • Product offers a lower cost, higher power, and more energy-efficient LED lighting solution.

OTTAWA, Canada October 28, 2021 GaN Systems, the global leader in GaN power semiconductors, announced today that the Philips SON-T tubular 17W and 26W LED bulbs feature GaN Systems power transistors. These products feature a groundbreaking design that introduces an innovative GaN-based driver built into the LED bulb, solving the technical problems of applying traditional glasswork in a high-power LED bulb application. The result is a lower cost, higher power, and more energy-efficient LED lighting solution.

Initially, Signify's built-in driver design was limited to its 8-10W full glass LED bulbs. To implement this design for higher watt LEDs, the company switched from silicon to GaN power semiconductors. This particular innovation centers around the GaN-based AC/DC PFC circuit built into the E27 screw in the bulb. The driver uses GaN Systems 650V transistors (GS-065-004-1-L and GS-065-011-1-L).

The attributes of GaN, such as high switching frequency, combined with GaN Systems' advanced technology and packaging, allow Signify to implement this design beyond 8-10W bulbs without worrying about size and performance tradeoffs. The GaN-based driver offers:

  • High Power Density: Higher AC/DC circuit operating frequency (200-900 kHz) increases the power density of the LED driver.
  • High Efficiency: This higher switching driver is more efficient than the standard power supply. At up to 96% constant efficiency at high temperatures, the LED bulb is more environmentally friendly and presents improved luminous efficacy.
  • Compact Design: The built-in PSU measures 20mm in diameter and a height of 15mm. Without an external power supply, it makes installation and replacement simpler than ever before.  
  • Space and Cost Savings: GaN enables significant size and weight reductions and allows the use of smaller or less external components, contributing to cost savings.
  • Longer Product Life: The LED bulbs with the built-in PSU offer a higher level of protection against dust and water, extending product life.

These new Philips SON-T LED bulbs easily replace Signify's legacy High-Pressure Sodium bulbs. They are ideal for road and residential lighting, decorative floodlighting, indoor and outdoor recreational sports facilities, and other commercial and industrial applications. 

"GaN Systems is proud to be a part of this LED driver breakthrough with Signify," said Jim Witham, CEO at GaN Systems. "This signals GaN's continued preference in more markets as well as GaN's ability to raise performance to levels previously unachievable in so many applications."

For more information about our work with Signify and other LED manufacturers, contact GaN Systems.

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About GaN Systems

GaN Systems is the global leader in GaN power semiconductors with the most extensive transistors portfolio that uniquely addresses the needs of today's most demanding industries, including consumer electronics, data center servers, and power supplies, renewable energy systems, industrial motors, and automotive electronics. As an industry-leading innovator, GaN Systems makes possible the design of smaller, lower cost, more efficient power systems. The company's award-winning products provide system design opportunities free from the limitations of yesterday's silicon. By changing the transistor performance rules, GaN Systems enables power conversion companies to revolutionize their industries and transform the world. 

For more information, please visit: www.gansystems.com or on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and scan this QR code for our WeChat.

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Key Takeaways

  • Philips SON-T tubular 17W and 26W LED bulbs feature GaN Systems power transistors.
  • Bulbs feature a built-in GaN-based driver, eliminating the external power supply.
  • Product offers a lower cost, higher power, and more energy-efficient LED lighting solution.

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Quotes

GaN Systems is proud to be a part of this LED driver breakthrough with Signify. This signals GaN's continued preference in more markets as well as ...
Jim WithamGaN Systems CEO

Related Bios

Jim Witham
GaN Systems CEO
Jim Witham’s career has focused on bringing new technology, like GaN Systems’ world’s best performing power transistors, to the Electronics market.

Witham joined GaN Systems from Neoconix, a manufacturer of high density, miniature connectors. As CEO of Neoconix, he successfully implemented strategic changes which dramatically increased revenue and resulted in the company’s acquisition by Unimicron Technology. Prior to Neoconix, Witham was CEO of Fultec Semiconductor, where his team made circuit protection devices using high voltage silicon, silicon carbide and gallium nitride (GaN) transistors. Fultec was acquired by circuit protection market leader Bourns. Witham has also held VP Sales & Marketing positions at Aegis Semiconductor, a tunable filter semiconductor manufacturer and Genoa, a semiconductor optical amplifier manufacturer.

Other notable career highlights include senior executive positions at Raychem, including General Manager of the Raychem Interconnect Division and Director of Asia Sales & Marketing, based in Japan, for the Raychem Circuit Protection Division. As an Engineering Specialist at General Dynamics’ Space System Division during the eighties, Witham designed fluid systems for the Space Shuttle and was on Mission Control for interplanetary missions. Witham holds an MBA from Harvard and both M.S. and B.S. with distinction in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford.
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