Porsche introduces GaN for high end audio
Porsche has adapted GaN technology for its first automotive application in the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System.
The GaN-based chip handles the voltage conversion required to power the 400-watt subwoofer amplifier. The technology is scheduled to make its production debut in a future Porsche vehicle in 2027.
In Spring 2024, a team from Porsche began work with the Institute for Robust Power Semiconductor Systems at the University of Stuttgart to develop the first prototype of the GaN-based subwoofer amplifier.“
We focused on the fundamental technical challenges of efficient voltage conversion. In a sports car, efficiency and weight are crucial factors,” says Lars Heuken, who is responsible for strategic semiconductor management at Porsche. Working closely with an international chip manufacturer and an audio development partner, the team succeeded in creating a production-ready subwoofer amplifier.
To protect the innovations developed as part of the project, Porsche says it has already filed several patent applications.
“The potential is huge – and this is just the beginning. GaN is ideal wherever power is converted,” says Heuken. “Many fields of application are conceivable in Porsche sports cars and we are investigating them in more detail. For example, the semiconductor can be used for power conversion in high-voltage systems. This makes GaN particularly interesting for the high-voltage systems of electric sports cars, for instance. Quality and tangible customer benefits are at the heart of all our considerations.”
Steffen Burosch, who is responsible for audio system innovations at Porsche’s Weissach Development Centre commented: “A powerful bass foundation is part of the emotive experience our customers expect from a Porsche. The power reserves of our systems enable confident and dynamic sound reproduction, which is perfectly in keeping with the character of our sports cars."
He added: “We see further opportunities particularly in the field of automotive audio and are already defining the next areas of application.”
