Leadtech and Next Semiconductor Co-Develop Switching Evaluation System for GaN Power Semiconductors

Leadtech Co., Ltd. (Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture; President and CEO Masayuki Sugaura) and Next Semiconductor Co., Ltd. (Oita City, Oita Prefecture; CEO Takeya Matsumoto) have jointly developed a switching evaluation system called the 'Double Pulse Tester,' compatible with GaN (gallium nitride) power semiconductors. Next Semiconductor will exhibit the actual unit at the corporate exhibition of the 2026 IEEJ Industry Applications Society Conference, held from Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at Okayama University Tsushima Campus.

High-Power GaN: 'Measurement' is as Challenging as 'Fabrication'

Power semiconductors have evolved from silicon to SiC (silicon carbide) and GaN, significantly increasing switching speeds. As switching speeds rise, even minor inductances within circuits and gate driver circuit designs critically influence switching waveforms. Even if a device has excellent standalone characteristics, its actual behavior in a system cannot be understood without testing it after being packaged into a module and combined with a driver circuit.

While low-power GaN devices are already widely used in smartphone and PC chargers, high-power applications requiring 650V/300A levels for EVs and industrial systems still face significant challenges in both implementation and evaluation.

Developed System

This system evaluates the switching characteristics of GaN power devices and power modules using the double pulse method. It supports evaluation not only of individual devices but also of modules integrated with driver circuits, and includes functionality for analyzing measured waveforms. The first unit has been installed at Oita University (National University Corporation) for research and development purposes.

Double Pulse Tester – Switching Evaluation System Co-Developed by Both Companies

Roles of Each Company

Leadtech: Responsible for the design, manufacturing, productization, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the measurement system. Also capable of proposing integrated solutions with handlers.

Next Semiconductor: Responsible for defining requirements essential for high-power GaN evaluation, designing evaluation conditions including power modules and driver circuits, and conducting verification using actual equipment.

Next Semiconductor Co., Ltd. is a technical group specializing in end-to-end optimization of power devices, power modules, and driver circuits. Centered around university researchers, the company has established a structure enabling unified design of devices, modules, and power conversion systems within a single team. This evaluation system is the productized version of the measurement environment the company developed in-house during its R&D process.

Future Plans

The two companies will promote this system to research institutions and manufacturers of power devices, power modules, and inverters. They will also continue R&D on high-power GaN power modules. Specifications and supply arrangements for the system will be announced separately once finalized.

Executive Comments

Masayuki Sugaura, President and CEO, Leadtech Co., Ltd.

“Building on our track record in manufacturing testers and handlers for SiC device mass production, we have developed a tester for high-power GaN devices as our next development theme. Collaborating with Next Semiconductor, which possesses GaN device technology, we designed this tester with the goal of creating a system that users would genuinely want to use. We will continue improving the system and expanding its inspection capabilities.”

Takeya Matsumoto, CEO and Representative Director, Next Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

“For high-power GaN, it is not only crucial to package and drive the devices but also to accurately measure their performance. Throughout our internal R&D, we have repeatedly encountered this challenge. This equipment was born directly from our development experience. We hope that research labs and development teams facing similar challenges will be the first to use it.”

Exhibition Information

Event: 2026 IEEJ Industry Applications Society Conference

Dates: Tuesday, September 1, 2026 – Thursday, September 3, 2026

Venue: Okayama University Tsushima Campus (1-1-1 Tsushima-Naka, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture)

Content: The actual Double Pulse Tester unit will be displayed at the corporate exhibition.

Company Overview

Leadtech Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 4-6 Chubu Industrial Park, Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture

Representative: President and CEO Masayuki Sugaura

Business: Design, manufacture, and sale of semiconductor and LCD manufacturing equipment

Website: https://www.leadtech.jp/

Next Semiconductor Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: 4F, RM Building, 700 Tonohara, Oita City, Oita Prefecture (Oita University Research Management Organization)

Representatives: CEO and Representative Director Takeya Matsumoto / CTO and Representative Director Masato Ohmori

Business: Technology development, prototyping, and technical consulting using next-generation power semiconductors (GaN, SiC)

Website: https://nxtsemi.com/

Inquiries

Leadtech Co., Ltd. Public Relations

Email: [email protected]

Next Semiconductor Co., Ltd. Public Relations

Email: [email protected]