Digi-Key announces exclusive global distribution deal with EPC

THIEF RIVER FALLS, USA: Electronic components distributor Digi-Key Corp., recognized by design engineers as having the industry’s broadest selection of electronic components available for immediate shipment, has signed a deal for the global distribution of gallium nitride (GaN)-based power management devices from EPC.

Established in 2007, EPC is a fabless company with subcontract manufacturing in Taiwan. EPC’s key markets include voltage controllers, LED boost converters, power MOSFET and IGBT replacements, drivers, power amplifiers and RF MOSFETs.

EPC’s founders are committed to developing GaN products to be used as cost-effective silicon product replacements. In June 2009, EPC released the first commercial enhancement-mode GaN transistors. EPC has developed products with behavioral characteristics similar to silicon power MOSFETs to make GaN transistors easy to use.

EPC’s products for applications requiring 200V or less are available for purchase on Digi-Key’s global websites. Additionally, these parts will be featured in future print and online catalogs.

“Digi-Key has the fastest global logistics and the most efficient supply chain of any distributor with which I have worked over the last 30 years,” said Alex Lidow, EPC’s co-founder and CEO. “This will translate into fast and easy service to all our global customers who want to gain access to our enhancement-mode GaN transistors to replace their less-efficient power MOSFETs.”

“EPC’s gallium nitride-based power management products bring intriguing next-generation breakthrough benefits to existing MOSFET and Bipolar solutions,” said Dave Doherty, Digi-Key’s vice president of semiconductor product. “We are thrilled to be the first to offer these innovative products to the engineering community.”