Microchip Technology and Navitas Semiconductor have collaborated to accelerate the transition to 800V DC power architectures in data centers. The partnership provides developers with reference boards, software, and documentation to evaluate and deploy high-voltage direct current systems, addressing the growing power demands of AI infrastructure.
Overview of the 800V Transition in AI Infrastructure
As artificial intelligence data centers scale to accommodate increasingly power-hungry GPU clusters, the industry is undergoing a fundamental shift toward 800V DC rack power architectures. This transition is critical for improving distribution efficiency, increasing power density, and supporting next-generation server designs. To accelerate this evolution, Microchip Technology and Navitas Semiconductor have collaborated on a comprehensive 800V DC-to-6V DC reference design tailored for AI data center rack power applications. By combining digital power control with advanced hardware-based security, this partnership provides developers with a practical, de-risked pathway to implement high-efficiency power conversion systems aligned with modern open standards.
Technical Architecture and Component Integration
The core of this reference platform relies on a seamless integration of Microchip’s digital control technologies and Navitas’ gallium nitride (GaN) power devices. Specifically, the design utilizes Microchip's dsPIC33AK Digital Signal Controllers (DSCs) paired with the TA100 CryptoAuthentication IC. On the power stage, Navitas contributes its GaNFast FETs, employing 16 NV6034 650V, 17 mΩ devices in a stacked half-bridge topology on the primary side. This architecture enables direct conversion from 800V DC to 6V DC, effectively combining the traditional 800V-to-50V and 50V-to-6V stages into a single, unified converter. This direct conversion approach significantly enhances end-to-end efficiency while simplifying the overall power distribution network within the rack.
Performance Metrics and Power Density Advancements
The integration of Navitas' GaNFast technology with Microchip's high-frequency control yields exceptional performance metrics. The dsPIC33AK, featuring a 200 MHz 32-bit core, a double-precision floating-point unit, 78 ps high-resolution PWMs, and multiple 12-bit ADCs operating at up to 40 MSPS, ensures deterministic digital power control. The power distribution board targets a peak efficiency of up to 96% at full load, operating at a 1 MHz switching frequency. Consequently, the design achieves a remarkable power density of 2,100 W/in³. Furthermore, the DFN8×8 dual-side-cooled package reduces thermal resistance, allowing for higher continuous power operation. The resulting ultra-low profile, approximately 20% thinner than a standard mobile phone, enables extremely close integration with GPU boards, maximizing transient performance and minimizing distribution losses.
Hardware Security and Post-Quantum Readiness
As power supplies become increasingly connected and integrated into broader data center management networks, hardware-based security is paramount. Microchip's TA100 CryptoAuthentication IC establishes a hardware root of trust, enabling secure boot, Message Authentication Code (MAC) generation, and protected firmware updates without requiring developers to build these capabilities from scratch. Crucially, the dsPIC33AK256MPS306 family includes library support for the Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite 2.0. This provides hardware-accelerated cryptographic functions and post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, ensuring that the power infrastructure is resilient against future quantum computing threats while maintaining the stringent requirements of connected real-time control designs.
Market Context and OCP Standard Alignment
This collaborative reference design is explicitly aligned with the Open Compute Project (OCP) 800V DC standard. The ecosystem's move toward higher-voltage rack power systems requires proven control and security mechanisms to mitigate implementation risks. The solution was showcased at the 2026 OCP Global Summit in San Jose, California, highlighting its readiness for enterprise deployment. By providing complete reference hardware, software, and design documentation, Microchip and Navitas are helping to standardize and accelerate the adoption of 800V architectures across the industry. This comprehensive support package significantly reduces design cycles, lowers development risks, and expedites the time-to-market for next-generation AI infrastructure.
Future Outlook for Data Center Power Architectures
The collaboration between Microchip and Navitas represents a critical milestone in the optimization of AI infrastructure. As computing platforms become more demanding, the total cost of ownership and operational efficiency of data centers hinge on advanced power semiconductors and intelligent control systems. Navitas’ system-level approach translates GaN advancements into measurable improvements in power density and efficiency, while Microchip’s digital control expertise ensures these systems are secure and manageable. Ultimately, this 800V-to-6V reference platform not only addresses the immediate power distribution challenges of today's AI data centers but also lays the foundational architecture for the scalable, high-density, and secure computing environments of the future.