GaN-based SMPS development for AI servers
Wise Integration partners with Powernet and KEC to co-develop high-efficiency SMPS architectures for AI server power supplies in South Korea.
www.wise-integration.com
Wise Integration, Powernet, and KEC have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop switched-mode power supply (SMPS) solutions optimized for AI server platforms, addressing efficiency, thermal, and power-density requirements in South Korea’s expanding data-center infrastructure.
Collaboration scope and technical roles
Under the MoU, the three companies have defined complementary technical responsibilities across the SMPS development chain. Wise Integration will provide gallium nitride (GaN) power devices and digital control technology, along with associated design support. Powernet will lead the electrical design and system-level development of new SMPS platforms using Wise Integration’s GaN devices and digital controllers. KEC will manage downstream manufacturing activities, including module integration and system-in-package assembly, with a focus on thermal performance and long-term reliability suitable for server environments.
The collaboration builds on an existing relationship between Wise Integration and Powernet focused on compact, digitally controlled power supplies for OEM applications, extending that work into higher-power server-class designs.
Relevance to AI server power architectures
AI servers impose specific constraints on power-conversion systems due to high and dynamic load profiles, concentrated thermal output, and the need for high efficiency at scale. Typical architectures require conversion from high-voltage inputs, such as 400 V, to stable intermediate rails around 48 V with minimal conversion loss and fast transient response.
GaN devices combined with digital control enable higher switching frequencies and reduced passive component size, which can improve power density and efficiency while supporting tighter control of load transients. These characteristics align with the requirements of high-density AI server racks and large-scale data-center deployments.
Targeting Korea’s data-center expansion
South Korea is investing in AI-focused data centers incorporating high-performance GPU clusters and supporting digital infrastructure. These deployments increase demand for scalable and efficient power-conversion platforms that can be manufactured locally and integrated into standardized server designs.
By coordinating device technology, power-supply design, and manufacturing within Korea, the partners aim to shorten development cycles and reduce time-to-market for SMPS solutions aligned with national infrastructure expansion.
Technology alignment and development context
Wise Integration has been expanding its GaN and digital-control portfolio to support higher switching frequencies, stricter thermal limits, and higher efficiency targets. Its recent developments in fully digital controllers for topologies such as totem-pole power factor correction and LLC converters share architectural characteristics relevant to server power supplies, including digitally managed efficiency and compact layouts.
Within the collaboration, these technologies are intended to be adapted and validated for the higher power levels and reliability expectations associated with AI server operation.
Industrial implications
The agreement reflects a broader shift in server power design toward GaN-based, digitally controlled SMPS platforms capable of meeting increasing performance and efficiency requirements. By combining semiconductor technology, power-supply design expertise, and manufacturing capability, the partnership seeks to address both technical and supply-chain considerations associated with next-generation data-center power infrastructure.
This collaboration positions the three companies to contribute to the development of scalable, high-efficiency SMPS solutions tailored to AI server deployments, supporting South Korea’s efforts to expand and modernize its data-center ecosystem.
www.wise-integration.com
