Porsche has created a high-fidelity vehicle audio system that uses gallium nitride (GaN), a semiconductor material that provides greater power density and efficiency compared to traditional silicon. The manufacturer stated that this is the first such set ready for global scale production. The introduction of this system is scheduled for 2027, in a model that has not yet been disclosed.
This innovation was conceived in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart and will initially be implemented in the Burmester 3D surround sound system. An advanced GaN-based chip will be responsible for the voltage conversion necessary to power the subwoofer amplifier, which has a power output of 400 watts.
GaN transistors offer significant advantages over their silicon equivalents because they operate at higher switching frequencies and generate less loss. Due to the lower heat generation, the need for cooling was reduced; in the Porsche design, the heatsink became approximately 20% lighter, also allowing passive components, such as capacitors and inductors, to be sized smaller. The final result is a lighter and more compact amplifier while maintaining the original power.
In addition to the technical benefits, there is a positive environmental impact. The company mentioned that the reduction in the amount of aluminum in the heatsink helps prevent carbon dioxide emissions associated with the manufacturing process of this metal, which is quite energy-intensive.
Steffen Burosch, responsible for audio innovations at the brand's development center in Weissach, Germany, commented: 'The sound in a Porsche is pure emotion.'
Gallium nitride gained notoriety in the 1990s with blue LEDs and is now used in various products, from portable chargers to satellites. The idea of applying this technology to a sports car arose at Porsche in mid-2023. During the first half of 2024, the company's specialists in audio, semiconductors, and sustainability began working with the Institute of Power Semiconductor Robust Systems at the University of Stuttgart to create the first amplifier prototype.
Subsequently, the automaker sought cooperation from an international chip supplier and an audio development partner (both unnamed) to convert the prototype into a component suitable for mass production. Porsche announced that it has filed patent applications related to the solutions developed in this project.
The company is also analyzing other applications for GaN. According to Lars Heuken, strategic semiconductor manager, GaN is recommended whenever power conversion occurs, which includes the high-voltage systems used in electric sports vehicles. In the audio sector, the manufacturer stated that it is already defining the next uses.
